Clemson University

Weed Management in Vegetables Can Be Difficult Due to a Shrinking Labor Pool for Handweeding and a Lack of Effective Herbicides. More Research and Extension Efforts Need to Focus on Integrating Vegetable Breeding With Robotic Weeding to Improve Non-chemical Weed Control. Robotic Weed Control Has Been Implemented by Some Vegetable Growers But Is Not Universally Adapted by Growers. This Proposal Focuses on Bringing Together Weed Scientists, Plant Breeders, Engineers, Robotic Company Representatives, Extension Agents and Growers to Identify Strategies and Allocate Resources for Improved Non-chemical Weed Control in Vegetable Crops. Goals and Objectives for a Future Scri Research and Extension Proposal Will Be Developed Through a Webinar, Two in Person Planning Meetings and a Grower Survey. Growers and Extension Agents From Six States Will Be Participating in the Project, Thus We Wil Get Multiple Perpsectives From Inidividuals Directly Involved or Supporting Diversified Vegetable Production Across the Country.the on Farm Tours in Both South Carolina and California Are Included to Allow for the Co-pds and Collaborators to Observe the Challenges That Growers in Different Parts of the Country Implement Non-chemical or Reduced Chemical Weed Management Practices. Ideally, These Activities Will Prime Objective Development for a Comprehensive Scri Research and Extension Proposal in 2023.