ABSTRACT
Weeds compete with fruit trees especially in young orchards for water, nutrients, sunlight, and space and also host certain disease pathogens and insect pests. Weeds also interfere with cultural practices such as harvest and pollination. Conventionally managed orchards depend primarily on herbicides to control weeds. While chemical weed control is cost-effective, it is questionable whether this method employed by itself is ecologically and environmentally sustainable. Sustainable weed management in orchards is involves a sound understanding of the multiple disciplines affecting tree-growth and fruit production that interact with each other. Understanding seasonal growth patterns of tree roots affect timing of weed control in temperate orchards. The composition and management of an orchard floor, which in turn is affected by topography and prevailing climate, could have a role in weed management. Sustainable approaches include cultural methods such as use of cover crops, various types of mulches, cultivation or tillage, and other physical methods such as flaming and novel tools. Troublesome weeds such as perennials are most effectively managed before establishing an orchard by using systemic herbicides. Chemical methods should be considered as a viable option in an integrated approach to manage weeds. A few innovative approaches to manage weeds are also in the horizon. This book chapter attempts to discuss the above-mentioned topics to greater depths and to conceptualize a model for sustainable weed management in orchards.
