Sustainability, Profitability and Innovation in Non-Chemical Weed Management for Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (MAPs)

The COST Action WeedingMAPs (CA23123) successfully hosted an online workshop entitled "Sustainability, Profitability and Innovation in Non-Chemical Weed Management for Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (MAPs)". The event gathered international experts to evaluate non-chemical weed management (NCWM) strategies. It focused on bridging the gap between academic research and practical field applications to foster sustainable agricultural systems.

The workshop, held on March 25, 2026, was led by Juliana Navarro Rocha (CITA, Spain), and Milica Acimovic (Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops Novi Sad, Serbia). It was organised into four specialised sessions addressing the core challenges of the MAPs industry. Dr. Milica Aćimović (IFVCNS, Serbia) opened the technical program with an in-depth analysis of the long-term efficacy and environmental sustainability of NCWM compared to conventional practices. Participants then explored biological innovations, including the phytotoxicity of essential oils and hydrolates presented by David Gimeno Martínez (CITA) and the use of plant extracts discussed by Teodora Tojić (University of Belgrade).

The transition from research to practice featured pioneering methods, such as the use of detection dogs for PA species management, presented by Dr. Silvia Winter (BOKU, Austria), and hydromulch field trials by Dr. Alicia Cirujeda (CITA). Final sessions highlighted technological advancements in automation and mechanisation (AUTOPE) by Magali Pelissier (ITEIPMAI, France) to reduce labour intensity. The event concluded with a roadmap for future Working Group's (WG) 3 outputs, including joint publications and technical recommendations.

Further Information

Contact:

Juliana Navarro Rocha (WG3 Leader) Agri-Food Research and Technology Centre of Aragon - CITA, Spain

Links:

cost.eu: More about the Project "WeedingMAPs"