Skip to main content
ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #135149
Title: WEED MANAGEMENT DECISION MODELS: PITFALLS, PERCEPTIONS, AND POSSIBILITIES OF THE ECONOMIC THRESHOLD APPROACH

Author
item WILKERSON, G - NORTH CAROLINA STATE
item WILES, LORI
item BENNETT, A - EVERGLADES RES. CENTER

Submitted to: Weed Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/5/2002
Publication Date: 7/20/2002
Citation: Wilkerson, G., Wiles, L., Bennett, A. 2002. Weed management decision models: pitfalls, perceptions, and possibilities of the economic threshold approach. Weed Science. 50:411-424

Interpretive Summary: Scientists have developed weed management decision models to help growers control weeds with less herbicide in several crops. Models determine whether the benefits of herbicide use exceed the costs for the weed population in a field and if so, the most appropriate herbicide(s) for the mix of weeds. Growers using these models may leave some fields untreated and control weeds more efficiently in treated fields. However, acceptance of decision models has been slow. In a web survey of 56 weed scientists, 82% said these models could be useful for managing weeds, although more as educational rather than decision-making tools. They thought acceptance is hindered by the cost of assessing weed populations, growers' concern about seeds produced by weeds in untreated fields, and lack of factors a grower considers when deciding how to manage weeds. Our view is that weed management decision models are, and will continue to be, valuable as a means of providing growers with the knowledge and experience of many experts for field-specific decisions. Evaluating weed populations will be less costly with emerging technologies and scientists will more clearly demonstrate to potential users the value of using a decision model, but new methods for distributing and maintaining models are needed.

Technical Abstract: A World Wide Web survey was conducted to investigate perceptions of weed science professionals regarding the value of weed management decision models based on economic thresholds. Over half of the 56 respondents were involved in model development or support, and 82% thought decision models could be beneficial for managing weeds, although more as educational rather than decision-making tools. Some thought models did not include enough factors influencing weed competition or a grower's decision. Others stated models require too much information from users or models are not necessary because skilled decision makers can make better and quicker recommendations or growers have a zero threshold for weeds. Our view is that economic threshold-based models are, and will continue to be, valuable as a means of providing growers with the knowledge and experience of many experts for field-specific decisions. Scientists may have hindered acceptance of models by over-emphasizing the capacity to determine economic thresholds compared to other functions. Future use depends on finding cost-effective methods to assess weed populations, demonstrating that model use results in better decisions, and finding stable, long-term funding for maintenance and support. New weed management technologies will likely increase the need for decision models.