Climate Change, Global warming, Herbicide efficacy and metabolism, Resistance Temperature-dependent sensitivity, Weed management
Weeds in general cause 10-90% crop yield losses and are economically more harmful than insects, fungi or plant disease. Therefore, management of weeds in all agro-ecosystems is imperative to obtain sustainable crop production and to ensure food security to the increasing population. The agriculture practices and agricultural productivity are strongly impacted by the weather and climate change and likely to impact conventional aspects of farming practices and cropping systems. According to an estimate, approximately 10% yield losses caused by the weeds will be equal to the approximately ~2294 million metric tons. Global climate change, mainly increasing temperature and elevated carbon dioxide levels and its associated impact on weed management is one of the greater challenges which is expected to play an important role in the agricultural production systems across the globe. Due to the differential response of C3 and C4 plants under increasing CO2 levels and temperature; chemical weed management strategies need to be revised to manage these weeds in the crop field. Reduced bioefficacy of several pre- and post-emergence herbicides of different mode of action under increasing CO2 levels and temperature is reported such as, acetochlor, atrazine, bispyribac-sodium, carfentrazone, cyhalofop-butyl, fenoxaprop-p-ethyl, glufosinate, glyphosate, metsulfuron, paraquat, penoxsulam, pinoxaden, tribenuron-methyl etc. Decreased bioefficacy of herbicides due to higher temperatures is reported due to increased metabolism in targeted plants. Besides this, weed flora shift, crop-weed competitions and interference, optimization of herbicide doses, development of herbicide resistance in weeds, are some other major challenges in developing weed management package of practices under climate change scenarios. Changing climate is now a reality and poses a greater challenge which may further intensify weed problems due to the competition and adaptability in diverse climate situations than the crops. An integrated and holistic approach would be imperative to tackle weeds under climate change scenarios specifically in response to elevated CO2 and rising temperature in the coming future.