Bioherbicides Revolutionize Weed Management for Sustainable Agriculture in the Era of One-Health

Researchers from the University of Tennessee have explored the potential of bioherbicides as a sustainable alternative to chemical herbicides in managing weeds for crop production. The study highlights the need for effective bioherbicides to control specific weeds while minimizing harm to the environment and human health. Bioherbicides offer several advantages over chemical control, including selectivity, specificity, sustainability, and reduced harmful effects on crops, the environment, and humans.

Key Takeaways:

• The primary objective of agricultural weed management is to increase crop productivity while maintaining a balance between food demand and supply for an increasing population.
• Chemical herbicides have negative environmental impacts and develop resistance among weeds, posing a high risk to the environment and human health.
• Bioherbicides have emerged as a potential solution, offering several positive aspects and advantages over chemical control, including selectivity, specificity, sustainability, and reduced harm to the environment and humans.
• Several biological agents, such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses, as well as plant extracts and essential oils, have been introduced, and their bioherbicidal potential has been explored in weed management.
• A limited number of bioherbicides have performed successfully under field conditions, but many others require improvement due to formulation, persistence, and host-agent interaction issues.
• The study emphasizes the importance of bioherbicides as weed-controlling agents to achieve global sustainable crop production in the era of One-health.

Statistics:

• The world's population is projected to reach 9.7 billion by 2050, increasing food demand and the need for sustainable agriculture practices.
• In 2020, the global herbicide market size was valued at $22.3 billion and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.4% from 2021 to 2028.
• Bioherbicides demonstrated a success rate of 70% in controlling weeds under field conditions.

Sources:

• Raza, T., et al. "Bioherbicides: Revolutionizing Weed Management for Sustainable Agriculture in the Era of One-health." Current Research in Microbial Sciences, vol. 8, 2025, no. 100394, doi: 10.1016/j.crmicr.2025.100394.
• NewsRx. "New Findings in Sustainable Food and Agriculture Described from University of Tennessee (Bioherbicides: Revolutionizing Weed Management for Sustainable Agriculture in the Era of One-health)." Ecology, Environment & Conservation, May 23, 2025, p 292.