Nikolaos Antonopoulos

Legume cultivation offers a chance for agricultural development on lands that have been abandoned over the years. In this study, simple agronomic indicators on the growth and yield of faba bean (Vicia faba L.), pea (Pisum sativum L.), and white lupin (Lupinus albus L.) were assessed on the abandoned agricultural lands of Foloi Plateau in Western Greece. Field trials were conducted from October 2023 to July 2025, and the legumes were grown either according to the false seedbed concept or with conventional seedbed preparation practices (direct sowing). The false seedbed involves pre-sowing weed control following initial seedbed preparation, and in these trials, it suppressed weed density by 62–77%. The Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) of faba bean and pea increased by 13% on the false seedbed plots, while white lupin NDVI was not affected by treatments (p ≥ 0.05). Destructive crop biomass measurements were in accordance with NDVI assessments. Faba bean and pea seed yield demonstrated an increase of 17% and 23%, respectively, in the false seedbed plots compared to direct sowing plots. White lupin seed yield was not significantly affected by false seedbed (p ≥ 0.05). This study provides preliminary evidence supporting the use of legume crops as a component of sustainable agricultural revitalization in the Foloi region. However, further research is required to optimize legume cultivation on the abandoned lands of the wider region as a first step towards the agricultural revitalization in the Plateau.

Weeds pose a significant threat to crop yields, both in quantitative and qualitative terms. Modern agriculture relies heavily on herbicides; however, their excessive use can lead to negative environmental impacts. As a result, recent research has increasingly focused on Integrated Weed Management (IWM), which employs multiple complementary strategies to control weeds in a holistic manner. Nevertheless, large-scale adoption of this approach requires a solid understanding of the underlying tactics. This systematic review analyses recent studies (2013–2022) on herbicide alternatives for weed control across major cropping systems in the EU-27 and the UK, providing an overview of current knowledge, the extent to which IWM tactics have been investigated, and the main gaps that help define future research priorities. The review relied on the IWMPRAISE framework, which classifies weed control tactics into five pillars (direct control, field and soil management, cultivar choice and crop establishment, diverse cropping systems, and monitoring and evaluation) and used Scopus as a scientific database. The search yielded a total of 666 entries, and the most represented pillars were Direct Control (193), Diverse Cropping System (183), and Field and Soil Management (172). The type of crop most frequently studied was arable crops (450), and the macro-area where the studies were mostly conducted was Southern Europe (268). The tactics with the highest number of entries were Tillage Type and Cultivation Depth (110), Cover Crops (82), and Biological Control (72), while those with the lowest numbers were Seed Vigor (2) and Sowing Depth (2). Overall, this review identifies research gaps and sets priorities to boost IWM adoption, leading policy and funding to expand sustainable weed management across Europe.

Agroecological weed management is important for agriculture’s shift toward sustainability. This study evaluated stale seedbed and intercropping combinations for weed management in vetch (Vicia sativa L.) cultivation in Greece during the 2023–2024 and 2024–2025 growing seasons. A Randomized Complete Block Design was established using a split-plot arrangement. Two weed management practices served as the main plots: untreated control (CON) and stale seedbed (SSB). Four intercropping methods formed the subplots: vetch monocropping (VM), vetch–barley mixed intercropping (VBMXIC), vetch–barley row intercropping (VBROWIC), and vetch–barley relay intercropping (VBRELIC). The interaction between weed management and intercropping influenced weed NDVI (p < 0.001), weed biomass, and vetch NDVI (p < 0.01). Weed NDVI and biomass were highest for CON × VM, CON × VBMXIC, CON × VBROWIC, and CON × VBRELIC interactions. Vetch NDVI was highest (0.71) for SSB × VM. Grain yield was affected by growing season (p < 0.05), weed management (p < 0.001), and intercropping (p < 0.001). SSB resulted in a 42% higher yield compared to CON. VBRELIC and increased yields by 7%, 22%, and 29% compared to VBROWIC, VM, and VBMXIC, respectively. Further research is needed to evaluate additional agroecological weed management practices in more crops and environments.

Wheat production can be reduced due to competition from weeds, with farmers relying almost exclusively on chemical solutions. However, there are alternative farming practices available. Therefore, in a field trial in Greece, we assessed the efficacy of false and stale seedbed against important broadleaf weed species and their impact on grain yield parameters. Our study determined that false seedbed resulted in a decrease in the density and biomass of broadleaf weed species like catchweed bedstraw (Galium aparine L.) up to 75% and 69% compared with the untreated control (normal seedbed preparation), respectively. The efficacy of false seedbed was higher when combined with post-emergence chemical control. Stale seedbed also resulted in adequate weed control, with a biomass reduction of up to 81%, and grain yield increased by 30% compared with the normal seedbed preparation without any herbicide use. Our results highlight the differences in the response between the weed species and also emphasize the potential of adding an alternative farming practice (like false and stale seedbed) as part of an integrated farming strategy for a sustainable and agroecological crop and weed management. In order to validate the trends observed in this case study, further field-to-field or year-to-year replication is required.

Thermal weed control can contribute to the development of sustainable integrated weed management systems. This study aimed to optimize hot foam use for thermal weed control in vineyards ( Vitis vinifera L.), spinach ( Spinacia oleracea L.), and onions ( Allium cepa L.). In the vineyard, a randomized complete block design (RCBD) was established with four treatments repeated three times. The treatment list included three different hot foam application rates (13.33, 26.67, and 39.99 L m ⁻² ) and a control. The results showed that at the application rate of 39.99 L m ^–2 , the total weed density and biomass were reduced by 91 and 98%, respectively, compared to the control. This treatment was very effective on Conyza canadensis (L.) Cronquist. For both vegetables, four treatments were replicated three times (RCBD): untreated control (SSB-0) and stale seedbed with hot foam for thermal weed control before sowing but after 1 (SSB-1), 2 (SSB-2) and 3 weeks (SSB-3) of seedbed preparation. Compared to the control, SSB-3 reduced the biomass of Sinapis arvensis L., Papaver rhoeas L., and Lolium rigidum Gaud. in spinach by 85, 83, and 91%, respectively, and that of Amaranthus retroflexus L. in onions by 90%. In perennial crops, weed infestation appeared to decrease as the application rate of hot foam was increased. For open-field vegetables, the longer the period between seedbed preparation and pre-sowing thermal weed control, the greater the efficacy of hot foam in a stale seedbed. Further research is required to optimize hot foam as a thermal weed control tool in more cropping systems and environments.

Recently, there has been growing interest by farmers and researchers in various agroecological approaches enhancing biodiversity and conservation including the use of natural herbicides derived from fungi to provide adequate weed control. This change is driven by growing concerns about herbicide resistance, environmental impacts and regulatory requirements. This review summarizes the results of various studies and highlights the efficacy and benefits of fungal bioherbicides in weed control. Fungi-based bioherbicides utilize the natural weed suppression capability of selected fungi to reduce weed density and competitiveness without completely eradicating the plants and such an approach is at the core of agroecology. Bioherbicides contribute to conservation by providing an environmentally friendly alternative to chemical herbicides. By reducing the reliance on synthetic chemicals, fungal bioherbicides help preserve soil health, water quality and protect non-target species, including beneficial organisms such as pollinators and soil microbes. They also promote biodiversity by selectively targeting specific weed species, leaving native plants and other organisms unharmed and favoring diversified weed flora without the dominance of a few species. Despite their promising potential, bioherbicides face several challenges, including delayed action, production difficulties and the potential toxicity of certain fungal toxins to mammals. This review highlights the growing adoption of fungal bioherbicides as an eco-friendly component of Integrated Weed Management (IWM). Further research is necessary to identify optimal fungal strains for controlling persistent weeds without putting at risk the overall biodiversity and to develop improved formulations for enhanced efficacy.

Field trials were conducted (2022–2023) in a randomized complete block design to evaluate the combined use of a microbial biostimulant, P-K Stim, which contains phosphate and potassium solubilizing bacteria (10⁹ Colony Forming Units mL⁻¹), various fertilization rates, and herbicide use on weed growth and the productivity of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.), and durum wheat (Triticum durum Desf.). The following treatment list was the same on all trial fields: (1) 100% basal fertilization (100N), (2) 20% basal fertilization and application of microbial biostimulant P-K Stim (20N + PK), (3) 100% basal fertilization and post-emergence herbicide treatment (100N + H), (4) 20% basal fertilization together with the application of P-K Stim and a post-emergence herbicide treatment (20N + PK + H), and (5) 50% basal fertilization together with the application of P-K Stim and a post-emergence herbicide treatment (50N + PK + H). The combined use of fertilization, biostimulants, and herbicides significantly affected crop yield, its components and weed biomass (p ≤ 0.05). The concentrations for potassium and phosphorus were higher in the 20N + PK + H and 50N + PK + H treatments for all crops compared to other treatments. Nutrient concentrations were remarkably high across all crops, closely approximating the values of the recommended nitrogen fertilization. Crop yield and its components were positively influenced by the 20N + PK + H and 50N + PK + H treatments. Weed biomass was significantly lower in these plots compared to other treatments.

Recently, there has been growing interest in the use of summer cover crops that can be grown during summer fallow periods of crop rotation. This study evaluates the potential of sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea L.), velvetbean [Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC.] and cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.]. as three annual legumes summer cover crops. The main objective of this review was to conduct global research comparing these summer cover crops to investigate the benefits, challenges, and trade-offs among ecosystems services when implementing these summer cover crops. In European agriculture, there are three main windows in crop rotation when these summer legumes can be grown: Around mid-spring after winter fallow, early summer after harvest of a winter crop, and mid- to late summer after harvest of an early-season crop. All three legumes can suppress weeds while they are actively growing. After termination, their mulch can create unfavorable conditions for weed emergence. Sunn hemp and velvetbean cover crops can cause a reduction in weed biomass of more than 50%. In addition to their ability to suppress weeds, sunn hemp, velvetbean, and cowpea provide a variety of ecosystem services, such as improving soil health, quality, and fertility, controlling pests, and sequestering carbon. The review highlights their promising role in weed suppression and their contribution to sustainable agricultural practices. However, further research is needed to evaluate their performance in weed management and their environmental impact in field trials under different soil-climatic conditions, as cover cropping is an effective practice but highly context-specific.

A field trial was conducted (2020–2021) in a randomized complete block design arranged according to the split-plot design to evaluate the integrated effects of an alternative fertilization practice based on the application of a microbial biostimulant in combination with different weed control methods on weed growth and maize productivity. Two fertilization practices, conventional (CF) and alternative (AF), formed the main plots. The CF supplied maize with 160 kg N ha⁻¹. The AF included a foliar application of the biostimulant NitroStim^®, which contains N₂-fixing bacteria (1 × 10¹² colony forming units; CFU L⁻¹) along with a 50% lower fertilizer incorporation rate (80 kg N ha⁻¹). Four weed control treatments formed the subplots: one inter-row mechanical cultivation (M1), two inter-row mechanical cultivations (M2), tembotrione application (99 g a.i. ha⁻¹; H), and an untreated control (CON). Combined over the years (p ≥ 0.05), fertilization, weed control, and their interactions affected (p ≤ 0.05) weed density and biomass, maize grain yield, and nitrogen partial factor productivity (PFP_N). The AF reduced weed biomass by 28% compared to the CF. M1 resulted in a high value (389 g m⁻²). M2 and H reduced weed biomass compared to (M1 ≥ 70%). Weed biomass dropped below 35 g m⁻² in the AF × H and AF × M2 subplots. Observations on weed density were similar. The AF resulted in 12 and 56% higher maize grain yield and PFP_N than the CF, respectively. M2 increased grain yield by 18 and 25% compared to M1 and CON, respectively, and was not different from H. Moreover, AF × H and AF × M2 were the highest-yielding interactions (≥12,000 kg grain ha⁻¹). AF × M2 increased PFP_N by 56, 58, 64, and 67% compared to CF × H, CF × M2, CF × M1, and CF × CON, respectively, while AF × H resulted in similar PFP_N.