Work

Herbicide-free cropping management supported by mineral fertilisation achieves substantial yield recovery relative to that in organic farming, despite showing limited interannual agronomic stability

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: • 2% of winter bread wheat and 3% of barley areas are managed without herbicide while maintaining mineral fertilisation. • This intermediate cropping management achieves performance levels close to conventional farming. • Average yield losses in bread wheat and barley are offset by lower input costs (n = 51 bread wheat; n = 14 barley). • Time-series analysis indicates that this management strategy lacks long-term stability. • Once experimental, this practice is now used by some farmers, allowing assessment under real conditions.

Source: European Journal of Agronomy

DOI: 10.1016/j.eja.2026.128176

Authors: Chloé Latapie, Maël Canillo, Etienne Hamard, Thibault Peyrard, Xavier Reboud

Institutions: Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement, Agroécologie, Institut Agro Dijon, Université Bourgogne Europe

Language: English

Topic: Weed Control and Herbicide Applications

Subfield: Plant Science

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

SDGs: Zero hunger, Life on land

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,200