Agricultural Research Service Weed Science Research: Past, Present, and Future

Authors

Stephen L. Young, USDA ARS Beltsville Agricultural Research CenterFollow
James V. Anderson, Sunflower and Plant Biology Research Unit
Scott R. Baerson, USDA ARS Natural Products Utilization Research Unit
Joanna Bajsa-Hirschel, USDA ARS Natural Products Utilization Research Unit
Dana M. Blumenthal, Rangeland Resources and Systems Research Unit
Chad S. Boyd, RANGE AND MEADOW FORAGE MANAGEMENT RESEARCH
Clyde D. Boyette, Biological Control of Pests Research Unit
Eric B. Brennan, Crop Improvement and Protection Research
Charles L. Cantrell, USDA ARS Natural Products Utilization Research Unit
Wun S. Chao, Sunflower and Plant Biology Research Unit
Joanne C. Chee-Sanford, Microbiologist
Charlie D. Clements, Rangeland Management Specialist
F. Allen Dray, USDA ARS Invasive Plant Research Laboratory
Stephen O. Duke, University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy
Kayla M. Eason, USDA ARS Southeast Watershed Research Laboratory
Reginald S. Fletcher, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Stoneville
Michael R. Fulcher, Weed Science Research
Brenda J. Grewell, Invasive Species and Pollinator Health Research Unit
Erik P. Hamerlynck, RANGE AND MEADOW FORAGE MANAGEMENT RESEARCH
Robert E. Hoagland, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Stoneville
David P. Horvath, Sunflower and Plant Biology Research Unit
Eugene P. Law, USDA ARS Beltsville Agricultural Research Center
Daniel E. Martin, Aerial Application Technology Research Unit
Clint Mattox, Forage Seed and Cereal Research Unit
Steven B. Mirsky, USDA ARS Beltsville Agricultural Research Center
Patrick J. Moran, Invasive Species and Pollinator Health Research Unit
Rebecca C. Mueller, Invasive Species and Pollinator Health Research Unit
Vijay K. Nandula, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Stoneville
Beth A. Newingham, Great Basin Rangelands Research Unit
Zhiqiang Pan, USDA ARS Natural Products Utilization Research Unit
Lauren M. Porensky, Rangeland Resources and Systems Research Unit
Paul D. Pratt, Invasive Species and Pollinator Health Research Unit
Andrew J. Price, SOIL DYNAMICS RESEARCH
Brian G. Rector, Invasive Species and Pollinator Health Research Unit
Krishna N. Reddy, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Stoneville
Roger L. Sheley, RANGE AND MEADOW FORAGE MANAGEMENT RESEARCH
Lincoln Smith, Invasive Species and Pollinator Health Research Unit
Melissa C. Smith, USDA ARS Invasive Plant Research Laboratory
Keirith A. Snyder, Great Basin Rangelands Research Unit
Matthew A. Tancos, Weed Science Research

Document Type

Article

Date of this Version

7-16-2023

Citation

Young SL, Anderson JV, Baerson SR, Bajsa-Hirschel J, Blumenthal DM, Boyd CS, Boyette CD, Brennan EB, Cantrell CL, Chao WS, Chee-Sanford JC, Clements CD, Dray FA, Duke SO, Eason KM, Fletcher RS, Fulcher MR, Gaskin JF, Grewell BJ, Hamerlynck EP, Hoagland RE, Horvath DP, Law EP, Madsen JD, Martin DE, Mattox C, Mirsky SB, Molin WT, Moran PJ, Mueller RC, Nandula VK, Newingham BA, Pan Z, Porensky LM, Pratt PD, Price AJ, Rector BG, Reddy KN, Sheley RL, Smith L, Smith MC, Snyder KA, Tancos MA, West NM, Wheeler GS, Williams MM, Wolf J, Wonkka CL,Wright AA, Xi J, Ziska LH (2023) Agricultural Research Service Weed Science Research: Past, Present, and Future. Weed Sci. 71: 312–327. doi: 10.1017/ wsc.2023.31

Comments

U.S. government work

Abstract

The U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service (USDA-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 and 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 10 separate presentations in a virtual Weed Science Webinar Series. The overarching themes of management tactics (IWM, biological control, and automation), basic mechanisms (competition, invasive plant genetics, and herbicide resistance), and ecosystem impacts (invasive plant spread, climate change, conservation, and restoration) 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. This review highlights current studies and future directions that exemplify the science and collaborative relationships both within and outside 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.