S ma l l Fa r ms Re s e a rc h
Center
Contact Information
I NT E G R AT E D
WEED
M A N AG E ME NT
The Small Farms Research center at Alabama A & M University (AAMU) was first
Dr. Duncan M. Chembezi
conceived in 2000 with funding from
Director & Professor
USDA’s Office of Outreach authorized under section 2501 of the 1990 Farm Bill. The
mission of the center and the Small Farm-
(256) 372-4970
Email: duncan.chembezi@aamu.edu
Ms. E’licia L. Chaverest
ers Outreach and Technical Assistance Pro-
Assistant Director
gram is to assist all small and limited re-
(256) 372–4958
sources farmers effectively deal with agri-
Email: elicia.chaverest@aamu.edu
cultural risk, food safety , and overall farm
management issues and provide them with
information.
Learn more about us by visiting our web-
Mr. JaMarkus C. Crowell
Program Assistant
(256) 372-4424
Email: jamarkus.crowell@aamu.edu
site and Facebook page through the link
below
Website
http://www.aamu.edu/sfrc
Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/smallfarmsresear
chcenter
Ms. Bhargavi K. Pucchakayala
Program Assistant
Small Farms Research Center
Alabama A & M University
4900 Meridian Street
P.O. Box 700
Normal, Alabama 35762-0700
How to implement IWM?
weed-seed free crops.
Growing cover crops
will
compete
with
weeds for light, water
and nutrients. Some
crop mulches such as
wheat, rye, sorghum,
broccoli and wild
Multiple crop rotation
radish releases
chemicals that are toxic to the weed plants. Crop
rotation will prevent weed plant establishment and
seed production.
Eradication is method of removal of weeds
from an area.
Mechanical control:
Three main steps are involved in a successful
Weeds are mechanically
controlled by physical
disruption
of
weed
growth. Tillage, hoeing,
hand pulling, mowing,
and burning are examples of mechanical control of
weeds.
IWM.
Weed is an unwanted plant that has grown and
competes with the main crop for water, nutrients and sunlight.
Integrated Weed Management mainly
emphasize on
Prevention mainly focuses on keeping new
weeds out and prevents further spread of weed
seed or plant parts. Preventive techniques
planting high quality seeds and buying
Control is the common management practice,
reduces weed population to a particular level in
the fields.
How to control weed?
Biological control:
Using an organism to
disrupt weed growth.
Insects are natural
enemy for weeds.
Livestock grazing can
be an effective
weed
management practice.
Cultural control:
Cultural
such
as time
planting,
Wheat mulch in vegetable
practices
of
proper
amount of fertilization
application,
and
Chemical Control:
Weeds are chemically
controlled by applying
pre-emergent or postemergent herbicides.
Herbicidal applications should always follow the
principles of Good Agricultural Practice (GAP)
that includes economic viability, environmental
sustainability and social acceptability.
When implementing an IWM strategy , it is
important to start with very small steps such as

Choosing correct variety, seed rate, of main
crop.

Changing planting time, preferably fields with
high weed population.

Following appropriate cultural practices such
as crop rotation, application of mulches during
the main crop
Education: Understanding the principles of IWM
and how to use them in an appropriate time.
Evaluation: Knowledge of weeds is important to
evaluate and develop targeted economic and
sustainable management practices.
Implementation: Implementing an appropriate
IWM strategy depending upon local soil, climate
and needs.
crop rotation. is one of the power tool that are
practiced to control weeds. Some of the major
benefits from crop rotation are:
 It helps to maintain and improves soil health
and fertility.
 It is also an important tool for integrated pest
management of insects and pathogens
 It reduces economic risk through the
production of different agricultural