Weed Dynamics and Management under Climate Change in Iran: A Comprehensive Review

Document Type : Review Article

Author

Professor- Department of Agrotechnology - Faculty of Agriculture - Ferdowsi University of Mashhad

10.22034/ijws.2026.371175.1503

Abstract

Climate change, as one of the main factors transforming Iran's agricultural systems, especially in arid and semi-arid regions, has caused fundamental changes in the dynamics and management of weeds. Increased temperature, decreased rainfall, frequent droughts, and increased carbon dioxide concentrations have caused the spread of thermophilic and drought-resistant weed species, changed their species composition, and increased their growth and competitiveness against crops. At the same time, traditional weed control methods have lost their effectiveness. Chemical control is facing a decrease in the effectiveness of herbicides under conditions of increased CO₂, the emergence of resistance in weeds, and environmental impacts. Mechanical control is also limited due to inconsistency in germination and changing soil conditions, and biological control is less effective due to the incompatibility of the life cycle of the control agent with the target weed and the reduction of host specialization. In the meantime, it is necessary to use a combination of climate-resistant varieties, diverse crop rotations, cover crops, precision agriculture technologies such as GIS, drones, and conservation agriculture. The success of this approach requires farmer training, long-term monitoring, and government support. Only with a comprehensive and technological approach can Iran's agricultural production be maintained in the face of climate change.

Keywords

Main Subjects

Iranian Journal of Weed Science
Volume 21, Issue 2
January 2026
Pages 77-97

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History

  • Receive Date: 25 October 2025
  • Revise Date: 29 January 2026
  • Accept Date: 12 April 2026
  • First Publish Date: 12 April 2026
  • Publish Date: 22 December 2025

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