Temporal and spatial dynamics of herbicide resistance: A new approach combination population dynamics, population genetics and cellular automata

The evolution and spread of herbicide resistance is one of the major proble ms in weed control demanding the development of new weed management strateg ies. A model system is developed for the evaluation of management approache s in a realistic situation. The system combines a stage and age structured population dynamic model, a population genetic model and a model of spatial spread. This is achieved by embedding a local matrix population model into a cellular automaton model with raster cells as spatial units. The dynamic s of each cell is determined both by its local dynamics and by the interact ion with neighbouring cells. The model is capable of evaluation of manageme nt practices.