ABSTRACT
Dramatic and widespread herbicide resistance in weed populations is just another example of evolution in weed populations exposed to a control tactic or a cropping system selection pressure. Current and future cropping practices will more frequently lie within the conservation production approach, based on reduced tillage and crop residue retention. The increasing need to improve soil structure, retain nutrients, and conserve soil moisture will continue to drive the widespread adoption of conservation cropping practices Even though conservation cropping has led to herbicide reliance and subsequently herbicide resistance, this approach has provided substantial gains in productivity and reverting to less conservative systems for the sake of weed control is no longer an option. However, practices such as stubble burning and tillage can continue to be used for weed control in conservation cropping systems but their use now must be strategic, and not routine as previously practised.
