Integrated Weed Management in Horticulture

Dear Colleagues,

The presence of weeds in horticulture represents a significant challenge to sustainable food production. There is evidently a need for integrated approaches that combine conventional methods with cutting-edge technologies and alternatives to chemical pesticides.

This Special Issue will address strategies and practices that enable the effective management of weeds by utilizing innovation to promote sustainability in horticultural systems. By analyzing the negative impacts of weeds on productivity and ecosystem health, we highlight the need for integrated approaches that combine cultural, mechanical, biological, and chemical methods. Additionally, we emphasize the importance of adopting sustainable agricultural techniques, such as crop rotation, the use of mulches, and the promotion of beneficial biodiversity.

Moreover, the importance of adopting sustainable agricultural techniques remains paramount. Practices such as crop rotation, the use of mulches, and the promotion of beneficial biodiversity complement digital innovations, further enhancing weed-management efforts while preserving natural resources and promoting ecosystem health within the framework of the One Health concept.

We welcome studies exploring socioeconomic aspects of the innovation and uptake of new practices by farmers in this area of study.

For this Special Issue, “Integrated Weed Management in Horticulture”, we invite submissions of research covering topics such as improved pesticide use, the circular economy, digital methods of weed control, or sustainable systems to minimize environmental and health impacts. We welcome studies exploring innovative approaches and technologies for effective weed management in horticultural systems, with a focus on sustainability.

Prof. Dr. José Manuel Monteiro Gonçalves
Prof. Dr. Maria de Fátima Oliveira
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Horticulturae is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• ecosystem health
• farming practices
• weed control
• precision agriculture
• circular economy