Principles of weed management in organic farming

One of the most important criteria for organic farming is to control weeds without the use of herbicides. To this end, all other elements of integrated weed control (agrotechnical, physical, mechanical, biological) and the elements of cultivation technology are protected against weeds by using as many elements as possible. The role of local climatic and soil conditions in the development of weeds is increasing compared to conventional farming. Thus, we have to consider with a unique weed flora in each organic farm. The most important principle of ecological weed control is not the destruction of weeds, but to promote the development and competitiveness of the crop with certain elements of cultivation technology at the expense of the weed by utilization of natural resources. The main goal of weed management strategies is to make the crop production system unfavorable to weeds, thus the harmful effect of weeds surviving can be minimized. For implementing effective results, a system-based, long-term weed control strategy is required to develop.

Weed control in organic farming cannot be performed successfully by a single method. Harmony of weed control and agricultural production must be found which does not constitute a step backwards, but represents a better, more advanced technology. Although maintaining weeds within an agricultural system is both harmful and beneficial, the aim of ecological farming is not to eradicate completely the weeds. As in all areas of plant protection, prevention is the most effective in weed control. This includes the use of weed-free, metal-sealed seed; well-treated, weed- and weed-free organic manure and compost; inhibiting the spread of weeds by keeping tillage, plant care and harvesting machines clean.