The “Wicked” Nature of the Herbicide Resistance Problem

Sociologists define a wicked problem as one without clear causes or solutions, and thus difficult or impossible to solve. Herbicide resistance is the epitome of a wicked problem: the causes are convoluted by myriad biological and technological factors, and are fundamentally driven by the vagaries of...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inWeed science Vol. 64; no. sp1; pp. 552 - 558
Main Author Shaw, David R
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Cambridge, UK The Weed Science Society of America 01.01.2016
Cambridge University Press
Weed Science Society of America
Subjects
Chemical industry
Conservation
Crops
Evolution
herbicide resistance
Herbicide Resistance Summit
Herbicides
Plant resistance
R&D
Research & development
Weeds
wicked problem
United States > US
herbicide resistance
Herbicide Resistance Summit
wicked problem
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Summary:Sociologists define a wicked problem as one without clear causes or solutions, and thus difficult or impossible to solve. Herbicide resistance is the epitome of a wicked problem: the causes are convoluted by myriad biological and technological factors, and are fundamentally driven by the vagaries of human decision-making. Weed scientists for decades have conducted research and developed educational programs to prevent or mitigate evolution of herbicide resistance, yet resistance is more prevalent today than ever before. If we expect to achieve success in herbicide resistance management, different approaches will be essential. The second Herbicide Resistance Summit focused on “doing something different,” bringing in rural sociologists, agricultural economists, weed scientists, and crop consultants to discuss the decision-making process itself, community-based approaches to resistance management, economics of resistance management, potential regulatory and incentive programs, new approaches to educational programs, diversification of weed management, and a call to action for everyone involved in the decision-making process.
ISSN:0043-1745
1550-2759
DOI:10.1614/WS-D-15-00035.1