Working group 1: State of the art

Working Group 1 aims to provide a comprehensive overview of current weed management practices in MAP crops in several representative EU and Associated Countries agroecosystems. This overview will cover both organic and conventional MAP growing systems and gather insights through literature research and interviews with selected national and international experts.

Planned activities

Review of MAP agricultural production in Europe 

This task provides an overview of the medicinal and aromatic plant (MAP) sector in Europe, focusing on key factors that directly influence weed management practices. These include farm size, cultivated species, cultivation methods, and market dynamics.

Review of current weed management in MAP crops

In collaboration with WG3, this review examines current sustainable weed management practices and innovations in MAP cultivation. The aim is to identify challenges and recent advancements in weed control techniques within the sector.

Review of non-chemical weed management practices in related crops and systems

This review explores weed management strategies applied in crops and systems related to medicinal and aromatic plants. The objective is to identify techniques and technologies that could be transferred or adapted to the MAP sector.

Review of national and international research projects on non-chemical weed management practices

Ongoing and recently completed research projects on sustainable weed management are identified and analyzed. The review includes an assessment of key initiatives, their outcomes, and potential opportunities for synergy and collaboration.

Objectives

The final objectives of Working Group 1 focus on gathering and analyzing key information related to medicinal and aromatic plant (MAP) production and weed management across Europe. This includes compiling data on cultivation practices, weed control strategies, and research initiatives to support sustainable agricultural practices within the sector. The collected information will serve as a valuable resource for other Working Groups within the project, facilitating knowledge exchange.

• Inventory of MAP production in Europe.
• Overview of weed management in MAP and related crops.
• Review of research projects on non-chemical weed management.

Expected outcomes

The main outcomes of Working Group 1 will include the creation of a comprehensive knowledge base on the MAP sector and current weed management practices in Europe, as well as the identification of future non-chemical weed management (NCWM) solutions specifically adapted to MAP crops.