Concerns in the public and agricultural sectors about agricultural pra
ctices have led many weed scientists and producers to consider alterna
tive weed management strategies. Weed management practices have been i
nfluenced greatly by the availability of selective herbicides for majo
r crops. The impact of herbicides has been so dominating that weed sci
ence is often perceived to be the science of herbicides rather than th
e science of weeds. The general public and many agricultural producers
are searching for alternatives to herbicide-intensive weed management
practices. A shift away from dependence on herbicides is complicated
by a poor understanding of weed biology and ecology and the availabili
ty of few alternative weed control tactics. Education and research eff
orts have to focus on the application of existing knowledge as well as
the development of new fundamental knowledge. Reductions in herbicide
use can be attained within the framework of existing management syste
ms. However, given the poor understanding of weeds and lack of control
options, new approaches to weed management are needed. Weed scientist
s have to play a central role in the development of new cropping syste
ms to avoid continuation of reactive approaches to weed control.