Opportunities for Microbiome Suppression of Weeds Using Regenerative Agricultural Technologies

The goal of regenerative agriculture is to utilize technologies that build healthy soils and improve the environment. Microbial could play a significant role in reducing reliance on synthetic herbicides for weed control. In United States, expenditure exceeds $5 billion annually accounts 58% total pesticide use nationally. This overreliance chemical control has exacerbated herbicide resistance multitude species, leading aggressive cultivation practices contribute soil erosion depletion. proliferation microbiome research increased our understanding complex interactions between plant species their microbiota. offer novel management strategies reduce need herbicides. Some these also help rebuild environmental quality. Specifically, we propose three emerging areas science can enhance management: (1) identifying microorganisms inhibit growth; (2) discovering microbial natural products suppress weeds; (3) developing field approaches promote suppression by enhancing function.