Editorial: Integrated weed management for reduced weed infestations in sustainable cropping systems

Weeds are a major biotic constraint of agricultural systems worldwide interfering with crop production and resource use efficiency (Oerke, 2006; Colbach et al., 2020). Chemical control is a cost-and time-effective weed management method and for that reason remains as the most widely and frequently used method to sustain agricultural productivity and food security in the current era. However, repeated use of a limited number of herbicide active ingredients in non-diversified crop rotations enhances the selection of herbicide-resistant weed biotypes. The over-reliance on chemical weed control has led to shifts in weed communities (Mahaut et al., 2019) which are now becoming dominated by highly competitive and herbicide-resistant prone species able to cause significant yield losses (Adeux et al., 2019b). Widespread herbicide resistance (Heap, 2023) accompanied by the increasing concern of herbicides entering the food chain and/or impacting the environment has created a tremendous demand for alternative weed management methods. Alternative weed management practices that reduce weed populations indirectly lowers selection pressure thus helping delay the evolution of further herbicide resistance. Controlling weeds during the critical period of weed removal is paramount for achieving the full yield potential of any crop (Zimdahl, 1988; Colbach et al., 2020). In conservation tillage with cover cropping, research on the critical period of weed removal is warranted to further elucidate cover crop weed suppressive attributes and efficient utilization of herbicides (Kumari et al.). Preventive weed control measures include all the possible means that restrict the entry and establishment of weeds in an area. Cultural control is an ecological method of weed control in which good crop management methods are followed to stimulate rapid crop growth and canopy closure (Petit et al., 2018). Cultivar selection, Frontiers in Agronomy frontiersin.org 01