Biological weed control in temperate grasslands

Both the classical and bioherbicide approaches to weed management are proven techniques to support the productivity and sustainability of temperate grasslands. The practice of classical weed biocontrol has a long history of providing safe permanent suppression of weed populations. The number of programmes currently in progress is an indication that classical biocontrol is still an important weed control technique. Recent advances in predicating the most effective agents and weeds most amenable to the control technique will likely improve future classical biocontrol success rates, assuming that access to biocontrol agents in most regions of the world remains unhindered, and regulatory agencies are not overly risk adverse in their approval for release of control agents. In grasslands, managed for the production of livestock, successful biocontrol will also require integrated techniques including the use of herbicides, and altered or targeted grazing management. The integration of classical biocontrol with other management techniques requires further research that will likely improve agent effectiveness through additive benefits, and overall increases in the success of weed management programmes. Bioherbicides have been long touted as viable alternatives to synthetic herbicides, but remain an underdeveloped technology. Bioherbicides are intended to be products sold as alternatives to synthetic herbicides in a competitive market place. The Technical challenges of formulation and efficacy of bioherbicides are possible to overcome. The current lack of bioherbicides is a consequence of high production costs combined with limited market potential due to cheaply available synthetic herbicides. Further development and adoption of bioherbicides will require increased demand for alternative weed control products through legislation restricting herbicide use, or greater value placed on the safety and sustainability aspects of biocontrol options. The desire for alternative weed control products is increasing and the Bioherbicide Innovation Chain will provide guidance for future research and development.