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Influence of herbicide‐resistant canola on the environmental impact of weed management
Author(s) -
Brimner Theresa A,
Gallivan Gordon James,
Stephenson Gerald R
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
pest management science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.296
H-Index - 125
eISSN - 1526-4998
pISSN - 1526-498X
DOI - 10.1002/ps.967
Subject(s) - canola , hectare , agronomy , weed control , active ingredient , biology , weed , pesticide , pesticide resistance , environmental science , toxicology , agriculture , ecology , bioinformatics
Abstract The growth of herbicide‐resistant canola varieties increased from 10% of the canola area in Canada in 1996, when the technology was first introduced, to 80% in 2000. From 1995 to 2000, the amount of herbicide active ingredient applied per hectare of canola declined by 42.8% and the Environmental Impact (EI) per hectare, calculated using the Environmental Impact Quotient for individual herbicides and the amounts of active ingredients applied, declined 36.8%. The amount of herbicide active ingredient per hectare applied to conventional canola was consistently higher than that applied to herbicide‐resistant canola each year between 1996 and 2000. Similarly, the EI of herbicide use per hectare in conventional canola was higher than that of herbicide‐resistant canola during the same time period. Since 1996, herbicide use has shifted from broadcast applications of soil‐active herbicides to post‐emergence applications of herbicides with broad‐spectrum foliar activity. The decline in herbicide use and EI since the introduction of herbicide‐resistant varieties was due to increased use of chemicals with lower application rates, a reduced number of applications and a decreased need for herbicide combinations. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry