Onkruiddruk

Onkruiddruk is a term used in agriculture and horticulture to describe the competitive pressure exerted by weeds on crops in a field. It refers to the extent to which weeds reduce crop growth, yield, and quality. The level of onkruiddruk depends on weed density and biomass, the competitiveness of weed species, crop vigor and timing of emergence, crop management practices, and environmental conditions.

Assessment of onkruiddruk often involves counting weed density per unit area, measuring weed biomass, or observing the time to canopy closure. Economic thresholds are used to determine when control measures become cost-effective to prevent yield or quality losses.

Consequences of high onkruiddruk include reduced yields, lower crop quality, higher production costs, and increased difficulty in harvest and post-harvest handling. The impact varies by crop, weed species, and local growing conditions.

Management of onkruiddruk typically follows an integrated weed management approach that combines prevention, monitoring, and a mix of cultural, mechanical, and chemical controls. Practices include clean seed and field sanitation; crop rotation and the use of competitive crop varieties; precise planting timing and spacing; use of cover crops and mulches to suppress weeds; mechanical weed control such as hoeing or shallow tillage; and targeted herbicide programs with attention to resistance management and rotation of modes of action.

Notes on context: weed pressure is influenced by the size of the soil weed seedbank, weed biology, soil fertility, moisture, and climate. As climates shift, weed communities and onkruiddruk patterns may change, affecting management strategies over time.