Agroecological practices for sustainable weed management in Mediterranean farming landscapes

Weed management in agriculture is hampered by inefficient intensive methods, such as monoculture, deep plowing, and herbicides, leading to health and environmental problems. Furthermore, the prevalence of herbicide-resistant weed ecotypes in the Mediterranean, particularly in France (with over 61 ecotypes), Spain (41), and Italy (37), is a major concern, with a significant proportion of herbicides in the region. In this study, we examined the benefits of adopting agroecology as a sustainable approach for weed management in the Mediterranean region. Agroecology offers a variety of techniques and practices to improve sustainability and weed management, while preserving ecological balance and biodiversity. However, solving these challenges is multifactorial and depends on local specificities, predominant weed species, crops, sowing dates, and pedo-climatic factors. In addition, this study included a systematic analysis of agroecological weed management in Mediterranean countries, assessing the effectiveness of existing practices, and identifying areas requiring further exploration in agroecosystems. A bibliometric analysis was also included to assess the literature on agroecology and weed management quantitatively, identifying major trends, influential studies, and research gaps. The bibliometric analysis highlighted the importance of alternative herbicides in Mediterranean "weed" (with a link strength of 44), "agroecology" (22), and "biodiversity" (16). Italy has the strongest collaboration network, with a link strength of 61, followed by Turkey (44), and France (42). Using specific keywords to agroecological practices for weed management in Scopus, France worked the most in this context (around 25% of studies), followed by Spain (17%) and Italy (17%), while all other countries contributed to less than 40% of studies carried out in the Mediterranean context. Clearly, it is imperative to foster collaboration between Mediterranean countries to develop effective and sustainable weed control strategies. Understanding the challenges of herbicide-resistant weeds, exploring their reasons and mechanisms, and using systematic studies and bibliometric analyses will help to develop effective strategies for managing weeds in the Mediterranean. Agroecological management favors effective control, while promoting healthy and sustainable ecosystems, preserving biodiversity, and ensuring long-term food security.