Experiences with Integrated Weed Management and Pesticide Use in the Canadian Prairies

Abstract

The majority of field crops grown in Canada are grown in the three Prairie Provinces, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. The most commonly used pesticides in this area are herbicides, indicating an opportunity for integrated weed management (IWM) to significantly increase the sustainability of farming systems. Much research has been done investigating the feasibility of various individual IWM practices in the Canadian Prairies. Extension efforts to communicate this information are generally carried out by the provincial government and industry. Two major changes have occurred in management systems since the 1990s: the adoption of zero (no)-tillage and herbicide-resistant (HR) canola (Brassica napus L.). While it has been shown that herbicide use can be reduced under zero-tillage, our data indicated that producers using zero-tillage tend to also use a greater amount of herbicides. Glyphosate- and imidazolinone-HR canola had lower environmental impact than non-HR canola in the 1990s; however, glufosinate-HR canola had a similar herbicide use to non-HR canola in the 1990s. The adoption of other IWM strategies focusing on competitive crops, crop rotations and preventative management has not been well documented. Our data shows that the adoption rates vary among provinces, possibly due to differing regional priorities. The adoption rate of most practises could be increased, particularly in the areas of crop competiveness and sanitation. Given the increasing threat of HR weeds, it is important to be able to convey to producers the benefits of adopting IWM practices on their farms.