PARAD

The number of registered herbicidal active ingredients has been declining over the past few decades, and many substances may not have their registrations renewed at the European level within the next ten years. However, weed species—whether annuals or perennials—can cause yield losses, harvest difficulties, or reduced crop quality if left uncontrolled. 

It is therefore necessary to better understand their biology and, above all, to manage them using a combination of diverse control strategies: agroecological, chemical, mechanical, and other approaches. The redesign of cropping systems and the adoption of innovative alternative technologies must be evaluated for all types of weeds across all crop production sectors. 

This cross-cutting project aims to anticipate, innovate, and support the agroecological transition in weed management by overcoming the challenges posed by the reduction in herbicide use and the withdrawal of active ingredients through
:- a better understanding of plant species and the biological characteristics
identified as causing treatment failures or species resistance to management practices - quantification and optimization of agroecological levers 
- advances in technical and technological innovation to detect, identify, and manage weeds using alternatives to
herbicides- the substitution, but above all the combination, of practices evaluated in their production context and from a
multi-criteria perspective- support for the collective design of systemic solutions, through case studies involving farmers and other local stakeholders
- a renewal of initial and continuing education on weed identification and biology.
 

The results will stem from seven areas of focus on weed biology, agroecological approaches, agricultural equipment, and digital tools. 

This will include, in particular: 

• the design of agroecological cropping systems capable of adapting to climate change 
• the development of Infloweb and robotic detection systems for precise field monitoring 
• the integration of digital and robotic technologies to achieve more precise and efficient weed control

The adaptability of weeds to changes in farming practices is being explored, along with natural solutions such as crop rotations or cover crops. Farmers will be involved in the experiments through field trials (DEPHY farms and plot networks). The project also aims to strengthen the links between research and training, with educational tools designed for students and professionals.