Agricultural Research Service weed science research: past, present, and future

Authors: Young, Steve; Anderson, James; Baerson, Scott; Bajsa-Hirschel, Joanna; Blumenthal, Dana; Boyd, Chad; Boyette, Clyde; Brennan, Eric; Cantrell, Charles; Chao, Wun; Chee Sanford, Joanne; Clements, Darin - Charlie; Dray, F Allen; DUKE, STEPHEN - University Of Mississippi; Porter, Kayla; Fletcher, Reginald; Fulcher, Michael; GASKIN, JOHN - Former ARS Employee; Grewell, Brenda; Hamerlynck, Erik; Hoagland, Robert; Horvath, David; LAW, EUGENE - ARS Postdoctoral Research Associate; MADSEN, JOHN - Former ARS Employee; Martin, Daniel - Dan; Mattox, Clint; Mirsky, Steven; Molin, William; Moran, Patrick; Mueller, Rebecca; Nandula, Vijay; Newingham, Beth; Pan, Zhiqiang - Peter; Porensky, Lauren; Pratt, Paul; Price, Andrew; Rector, Brian; Reddy, Krishna; Sheley, Roger; SMITH, LINCOLN - Former ARS Employee; Smith, Melissa; Snyder, Keirith; Tancos, Matthew; West, Natalie; Wheeler, Gregory; Williams, Martin; Wolf, Julie; Wonkka, Carissa; Wright, Alice; XI, JING - Oak Ridge Institute For Science And Education (ORISE); ZISKA, LEW - Columbia University - New York

Submitted to: Weed Science
Publication Type: Review Article
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/2/2023
Publication Date: 8/16/2023
Citation: Young, S.L., Anderson, J.V., Baerson, S.R., Bajsa Hirschel, J.N., Blumenthal, D.M., Boyd, C.S., Boyette, C.D., Brennan, E.B., Cantrell, C.L., Chao, W.S., Chee Sanford, J.C., Clements, D.D., Dray Jr, F.A., Duke, S.O., Porter, K.M., Fletcher, R.S., Fulcher, M.R., Gaskin, J., Grewell, B.J., Hamerlynck, E.P., Hoagland, R.E., Horvath, D.P., Law, E.P., Madsen, J., Martin, D.E., Mattox, C.M., Mirsky, S.B., Molin, W.T., Moran, P.J., Mueller, R.C., Nandula, V.K., Newingham, B.A., Pan, Z., Porensky, L.M., Pratt, P.D., Price, A.J., Rector, B.G., Reddy, K.N., Sheley, R.L., Smith, L., Smith, M., Snyder, K.A., Tancos, M.A., West, N.M., Wheeler, G.S., Williams, M., Wolf, J.E., Wonkka, C.L., Wright, A.A., Xi, J., Ziska, L.H. 2023. Agricultural Research Service weed science research: past, present, and future. Weed Science. 71(4):312-327. https://doi.org/10.1017/wsc.2023.31.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/wsc.2023.31

Interpretive Summary: The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS) has been a leader in weed science research covering topics ranging from the development and use of integrated weed management (IWM) tactics to basic mechanistic studies, including biotic resistance of desirable plant communities and herbicide resistance. ARS weed scientists have worked in agricultural and natural ecosystems including agronomic and horticultural crops, pastures, forests, wild lands, aquatic habitats, wetlands, and riparian areas. Through strong partnerships with academia, state agencies, private industry, and numerous federal programs, ARS weed scientists have made contributions to discoveries in the newest fields of robotics and genetics, as well as the traditional and fundamental subjects of weed/crop competition and physiology, as well as integration of weed control tactics and practices. Weed science at ARS is often overshadowed by other research topics, thus few are aware of the long history of ARS weed science and its important contributions. This review is the result of a symposium held at the Weed Science Society of America’s 62nd Annual Meeting in 2022 that included ten separate presentations in a virtual Weed Science Webinar Series. The overarching themes of tactics, mechanisms, and impacts represent core ARS weed science research that is dynamic and efficacious and has been a significant component of the agency’s national and international efforts. In this review, current studies and future directions are highlighted that exemplify the science and collaborative relationships both within and outside of ARS. Given the constraints of weeds and invasive plants on all aspects of food, feed, and fiber systems, there is an acknowledged need to face new challenges, including agriculture and natural resources sustainability, economic resilience and reliability, and societal health and well-being.

Technical Abstract: The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS) has been a leader in weed science research covering topics ranging from the development and use of integrated weed management (IWM) tactics to basic mechanistic studies, including biotic resistance of desirable plant communities and herbicide resistance. ARS weed scientists have worked in agricultural and natural ecosystems including agronomic and horticultural crops, pastures, forests, wild lands, aquatic habitats, wetlands, and riparian areas. Through strong partnerships with academia, state agencies, private industry, and numerous federal programs, ARS weed scientists have made contributions to discoveries in the newest fields of robotics and genetics, as well as the traditional and fundamental subjects of weed/crop competition and physiology, as well as integration of weed control tactics and practices. Weed science at ARS is often overshadowed by other research topics, thus few are aware of the long history of ARS weed science and its important contributions. This review is the result of a symposium held at the Weed Science Society of America’s 62nd Annual Meeting in 2022 that included ten separate presentations in a virtual Weed Science Webinar Series. The overarching themes of tactics, mechanisms, and impacts represent core ARS weed science research that is dynamic and efficacious and has been a significant component of the agency’s national and international efforts. In this review, current studies and future directions are highlighted that exemplify the science and collaborative relationships both within and outside of ARS. Given the constraints of weeds and invasive plants on all aspects of food, feed, and fiber systems, there is an acknowledged need to face new challenges, including agriculture and natural resources sustainability, economic resilience and reliability, and societal health and well-being.