Chapters authored
Procedures for Detection of Resistant Weeds Using 14C- Herbicide Absorption, Translocation, and Metabolism
Herbicide resistance mechanisms involve altered absorption, translocation, and metabolism of herbicides (i.e., glyphosate), and this is an important component in the study of herbicide resistance mechanisms as well. 14C-herbicides are used in resistant weeds studies, since they provide some advantages in comparison with chemical measures, including greater sensitivity, stepwise description of a particular element in a metabolic system, herbicide position, detection through X-ray films and/or radio image, and liquid scintillation. However, an up-to-date, organized description and standardization of research procedures and methodology on the use of radioisotopes for detection of resistant weeds, through different mechanisms of absorption, translocation, and metabolism in comparison with susceptible weeds are lacking in the literature. Techniques that use 14C such as tracers are extremely useful to study the herbicides behavior in the resistant weed, since the radiometric techniques offer the possibility of accurately determining very small amounts in a relatively short time. However, mechanism of resistance to herbicides in this resistant weed population compared with the susceptible population cannot be due to differential absorption, translocation, or metabolism of herbicide in weed; so other studies are necessary to elucidate the mechanism of herbicide resistance on weed population.
Part of the book: Herbicide Resistance in Weeds and Crops
Integrated Weed Management in Coffee for Sustainable Agriculture – A Practical Brazilian Approach
Brazil is the largest coffee exporter in the world market and ranks second among coffee-consuming countries. The use of technology has been largely responsible for the great development of Brazilian agriculture in recent years. Then, the efficiency of integrated weed management has made the country more competitive in coffee farming. Therefore, integrated weed management (IWM) practices are the foundation for sustainable weed management in coffee fields. Weed competition cause losses in crop production. In weed control, besides chemical control, there are other methods that are efficient, economical, and beneficial to the coffee plant and to the environment that can be used on any property, such as preventive and cultural managements; and mechanical, biological, and physical controls. The combination of weed control methods has proven to be a sustainable practice in coffee production. In integrated management, the inherent advantages of each control method must be combined. Lastly, IWM provides an efficient control action with lower costs, better environmental conservation, and higher crop productivity. Thus, this chapter discusses the main practices of sustainable weed management in coffee, addressing issues such as competition, benefits, main weeds, and IWM systems.
Part of the book: New Insights in Herbicide Science