Herbicide resistance in Europe: an overview

摘要

This paper provides an overview on herbicide resistance in Europe (updated to July 2005) with emphasis on the southern European situation. The impact of the EU Council Directive 91/414/EEC on the management of herbicide-resistant weeds is discussed. Wheat is the crop most affected, followed by maize and orchards. Rice crops in southern Europe, especially in Italy, are particularly affected by ALS-resistant populations. Major European-wide resistance problems are caused by Alopecurus myosuroides, Lolium spp. and Papaver rhoeas. The situation seems to be evolving faster in southern Europe, with a wider variety of biotypes, herbicides and cropping systems involved. The constantly increasing reliance on target-site-specific herbicides such as ALS and ACCase inhibitors will increase the resistance risk. More effort must be made to convey a common, effective and science-based message to farmers. The diversity in European fanning systems must be preserved if we are to prevent and/or limit the impact of herbicide resistance to a lower level than that being experienced in other continents. Integrated weed management should be widely adopted.