Herbicide tolerance in economically important agricultural crops: Accomplishments and prospects

Herbicide tolerance has revolutionized modern agriculture by providing a robust solution for weed management, significantly boosting crop productivity and sustainability. Genetic engineering and selective breeding advances have facilitated the widespread adoption of herbicide-tolerant crops like soybeans, maize, cotton, and canola. These advancements have decreased the necessity for tillage, conserved soil moisture, and minimized crop damage, ultimately enhancing food production worldwide. However, challenges such as herbicide resistance in weed populations and environmental concerns persist, threatening the sustainability of chemical weed control. This review emphasizes the necessity for integrated weed management strategies, the development of crops tolerant to multiple herbicides, and innovations in gene editing technologies to create more resilient crop varieties. It also examines the molecular biological mechanisms behind herbicide-resistant weed biotypes and investigates non-chemical alternatives for weed management. By tackling these challenges, the agricultural industry can improve food security, ensure environmental sustainability, and meet the needs of a growing global population.