AGrOecOlogy for weeDs

Project Information

GOOD

Grant agreement ID: 101083589

DOI

10.3030/101083589

EC signature date 8 May 2023

Start date 1 May 2023

End date 30 April 2027

Funded under

• Food, Bioeconomy Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment

Total cost

€ 4 988 679,25

EU contribution

€ 4 988 679,25

Coordinated by

UNIVERSIDADE DE COIMBRA
Portugal

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - GOOD (AGrOecOlogy for weeDs)

Reporting period: 2023-05-01 to 2024-10-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The GOOD project, "Agroecology for Weeds," is a European project addressing the challenges of weed management in diverse agricultural systems. In response to the demand for reducing chemical inputs (herbicides) in agriculture, the project operates within a multi-disciplinary, stakeholder-engaged framework. It integrates knowledge from social sciences, digital technologies, and natural sciences to co-create, test, validate, and demonstrate sustainable weed management practices based on agroecological strategies tailored for conventional, organic, and mixed farming systems across Europe. A central element of the GOOD project is the establishment of 16 Living Labs (LLs) in nine countries and the creation of an Agroecological Weed Management Network (AWMN). These platforms serve as collaborative spaces for various stakeholders, including farmers, advisors, consumers, researchers, policymakers, and industry actors. The LLs test and evaluate combinations of agroecological weed management (AWM) strategies through real-world experimentation and co-creation processes. Key strategies include the use of cover crops, innovative solutions such as drones for weed mapping, and native arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) inoculants. These strategies aim to improve the competitiveness of crops and cover crops against weeds while promoting soil health and ecological balance. GOOD also explores the socio-economic and policy dimensions of weed management. By examining behavioral drivers, market acceptance, and the environmental impact of AWM practices, the project aims to build a robust sustainability assessment framework. This includes developing business models and policy recommendations to support the widespread adoption of agroecological practices. Through dissemination, training programs, and stakeholder engagement, GOOD seeks to inspire a shift in perceptions and practices, facilitating an agroecological transition that benefits both people and nature. Its outcomes are scalable and transferable, ensuring long-term impact across European agri-food systems. The project also aims to enhance trust in AWM strategies by demonstrating tangible benefits and releasing a digital Decision Support System, the AWM Toolbox, to aid in weed management decisions.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

GOOD has made significant strides in advancing sustainable agroecological weed management (AWM) practices. Central to its achievements is the establishment of a network of 16 Living Labs (LLs) across nine countries and the Agroecological Weed Management Network, fostering collaboration among farmers, researchers, and stakeholders to test, co-design, and evaluate agroecological solutions. Field trials in conventional, organic, and mixed farming systems tested over 30 cover crop species, integrating practices such as mechanical weeding, intercropping, mulching, and reduced herbicide use in annual and perennial crops. In the second experimental year, an innovative approach was introduced: inoculating cover crops with native arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) to enhance weed suppression and improve soil health. Advanced digital tools, including drone-based weed mapping and AI-driven analysis, were deployed to enable informed, locally tailored weed management decisions. Results from the first experimental year demonstrated that AWM strategies could effectively reduce herbicide dependence across various systems. Ongoing evaluations of the environmental, economic, and social impacts of these strategies aim to inform future practices. Co-creation activities in the LL ecosystem identified barriers and opportunities for AWM practices while contributing to the development of a comprehensive AWM repository cataloging current weed management practices. Data collection was completed to establish an inventory of decision-making biases among farmers, helping facilitate the adoption of agroecological solutions. By aligning innovation with practical farming needs, GOOD is paving the way for scalable, sustainable solutions to modern agricultural challenges, promoting environmental stewardship and resilience.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

GOOD has advanced agroecological weed management (AWM), offering sustainable solutions to reduce herbicide dependence and build resilient agricultural systems. A major achievement is the practical use of native arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi inoculants, adapted for seed coating to enhance weed suppression and soil health. This innovation will reduce herbicide reliance while improving resilience across farming systems. The project also leverages digital technologies such as drone-based weed mapping. A Decision Support System will offer tailored recommendations for cover crops and combinations of AWM strategies. Central to GOOD’s success is the establishment of 16 Living Labs, which foster collaboration among farmers, researchers, and other stakeholders to co-create and validate AWM solutions. This participatory framework ensures practical, widely accepted strategies. Baseline assessments of soil health and biodiversity, paired with Life Cycle Assessments, provide a foundation for evaluating the environmental, economic, and social impacts of AWM. These metrics will highlight the benefits of transitioning to sustainable practices. GOOD’s outcomes promise far-reaching impacts: reducing herbicide use and promoting biodiversity to improve ecosystems, offering cost-effective farming solutions, and empowering stakeholders through inclusive approaches. To accelerate adoption, continued research, financial incentives, affordable tools, and supportive policies are crucial. Expanding international collaborations will further drive the adoption of AWM innovations.

GOOD-Living Lab triticale Italy Sardinia

GOOD-Drone weed mapping

GOOD-Cover crops