Future Research Directions for Weed Science

A Research Committee was established by the Weed Science Society of America to outline the direction of weed science research during the next decade. Weeds adversely affect humans in both agricultural and nonagricultural environments. It is the opinion of the research committee that weed science will be advantageously positioned for the future if research focuses on research decision processes, weed biology and ecology, weed control and management practices, herbicide resistance, issues related to transgenic plants, environmental issues, and potential benefits of weeds. These future weed science research directions endorse those of the commodity and grower input group Coalition for Research on Plant Systems (CROPS)’99, a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)-supported initiative. The future of weed science is dependent on a joint effort from industry, government regulators, and the public sector consisting of grower groups, as well as USDA, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), and university researchers. It is our opinion that efforts spent on these research areas will benefit not only growers, commodity groups, homeowners, and industry, but society at large, through the maintenance and improvement of the food and fiber production system, and the environment in North America. Abbreviations: AAFC, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada; CROPS’99, Coalition for Research on Plant Systems (1999); EWRS, European Weed Research Society; GPS, global positioning systems; HRC, herbicide-resistant crops; IWM, integrated weed management; KBDSS, knowledge-based decision support strategies; USDA, U.S. Department of Agriculture; WSSA, Weed Science Society of America.