What is Integrated Weed Management?
Integrated Weed Management (IWM) is modeled after the more familiar Integrated Pest Management (IPM) used to control insects and plant pathogens. Both IWM and IPM are based on ecological and evolutionary principles. The ultimate objective is to achieve cost effective control while reducing inputs of synthetic pesticides. A fundamental concept in IWM is implementation of control measures based on economic thresholds. Crop plants can withstand some competitive pressure from weeds without a significant decrease in crop yield. Weed scientists have established the maximum number of various weed species that can be tolerated before significantly decreasing yields – the economic threshold. Growers are encouraged to wait until the weed reaches the economic threshold before implementing control measures. In addition, IWM relies on using a variety of control measures to slow the evolution of resistance to a single control measure. Therefore, IWM is maximized when growers have access to the wides
