A global perspective of education in weed science

Abstract

In modern agriculture, weed problems are predicted to worsen and become more complicated as a result of increasing invasiveness, herbicide resistance, and increased emphasis on high-input methods. Weeds cause huge economic yield losses that range from $100 million to $26 billion globally. The knowledge of weed science has offered success in the past through effective, reasonably priced, and secure technologies; specifically synthetic herbicides to effectively control weeds in agroecosystems. Weed science is accepted and adopted by most universities with teaching, research, and/or extension programs in agriculture. Globally, approximately 7% of all the universities offering agriculture education have specified weed science departments focusing on weed biology, ecology and weed management. Some universities also offer weed science degree programs or at least certain courses in their degrees related to associated disciplines such as plant protection, agronomy and ecology. Although substantial advancements have been made in weed science, such as a separate weed science discipline, specialized journals and specific weed science societies and conferences in weed science discipline worldwide, still, there are lots of constraints (for example, lack of trained weed scientists) and barriers to adoption of new weed-science technologies. Slow modernization in weed science research and low funding has slowed the progress of weed science. New curricula in the weed science discipline should focus on the role of biochemistry, evolutionary biology, molecular biology and genetics in weed science research.