Introduction: Scope of the Problem—Rising Costs and Demand for Environmental Safety for Weed Control

Many organic and conventional producers rank weed control as their number one production cost. For organic producers particularly, weed control has become increasingly important as organic production has increased its market share. In conventional systems, herbicide resistance, off-target movement, and increased regulations have left many growers with few alternatives. Added to this is an increasing demand from the public for a safer and more sustainable supply of food. This chapter addresses the problems of mechanized agricultural systems to set the stage for the introduction and adoption of more advanced technology to meet the needs of growers and satisfy the desires of consumers.