Il controllo della flora infestante nelle colture orticole

An Integrated Weed Management System (IWMS) in vegetables should be based on weed population management strategies by a sound cultural weed control methods and then on an integration of physical and chemical weed control methods. Most vegetable crops are characterised by a low plant density, a wide row distance, a slow initial growth and, as a consequence, by a poor competitive ability. Taking into consideration that most vegetables are high-income crops, the threshold weed densities are very low and the critical periods of weed competition are pretty long. IWMS in vegetables shows peculiar environmental and health concerns because of a relatively short growth cycle and the fresh edible parts of vegetables, and a coarse soil texture of the main production areas. As most vegetables are minor crops the availability of approved herbicides for use is scarce so in low-external-input farming systems leads to a strong and quick selection of the weed flora when herbicides are often used.