Efficient management of weed control in planted forests is essential to guarantee high productivity and the quality of the raw material generated. These plants compete intensely for environmental resources, such as water, light and nutrients, which can result in significant reductions in production and interfere with silvicultural and harvesting operations. Furthermore, their presence can facilitate the spread of pests, diseases and increase the risk of forest fires.

Historically, weed control was carried out predominantly by methods such as the use of fire and manual techniques, requiring considerable efforts in terms of labor and often presenting unsatisfactory results. However, with technological advances, integrated control methods have been widely adopted, involving preventive, cultural, mechanical and chemical measures.

Several factors are taken into consideration when choosing control methods. Currently, herbicides have been the most used option as they present more effective control of weeds, greater flexibility regarding the time of application and greater operational yield. Despite the potential gains in management, it is essential to find an appropriate balance between product recommendations, doses, species to be controlled, as well as positioning and moment of application.

In this context, it is crucial to prioritize the search for application technology, which includes improvements in spray nozzles, filtering systems, stability of application bars and all embedded technology with the most diverse resources. Furthermore, with the use of technologies such as drones and remote sensing systems, it is possible to carry out early detection of weed infestations, allowing a quick and targeted response.

Another challenge for implementing new management systems is the need for specialization of forestry professionals linked to forestry production. The partnership with universities to create specialization courses in the area should be considered as a viable way to boost the competitiveness of the sector, promoting the advancement of new concepts, technologies and knowledge in the management of weeds in Brazilian forestry production.

A great example was the development of minimum cultivation for eucalyptus cultivation, allowing great advances in the management of weeds with herbicides, consolidating steps such as pre-planting desiccation in the total area, association of herbicides for broad control of plants with narrow and broad leaves, application of pre-emergents in the total area. Achieving high levels of productivity represents one of the essential measures in this context, and effective control of weed competition emerges as a fundamental element for this purpose.

Weed competition, characterized by the identification and elimination of weeds that harm or inhibit the development of the desired crop, plays a crucial role in this process. Recognizing the importance and economic potential of the planted forest sector, the continuous development of new molecules and formulations contributes to the diversification and improvement of forest management.

The incessant search for new molecules and more versatile products to control weeds, with selectivity for the crop and a broad spectrum of action, exploring new chemical groups and adopting different modes of action, especially to promote integrated management and overcome resistance, reflects a proactive and innovative approach. However, it is crucial to recognize that the development of a new molecule is a gradual and expensive process. Therefore, it is imperative to explore existing solutions globally and adapt them to the needs of planted forests in Brazil, providing a more efficient and pragmatic strategy to face forest management challenges.

Changes in legislation have played a fundamental role in boosting weed management in forestry. Recently, the National Civil Aviation Agency decided to make regulatory flexibility and simplification involving the use of remotely piloted aircraft in agricultural and forestry activities, thus regulating the use of drones for this purpose. This measure aims to provide more consistency and quality to the rules that govern the market, facilitating the understanding of regulations throughout society and repealing obsolete rules. Even with this regulatory simplification, it is still necessary to observe the standards established by other bodies, such as the National Telecommunications Agency, the Department of Airspace Control and the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock.

Regulatory simplification represents an important milestone, driving the increasing use of drones and precision forestry, allowing for increased flexibility in forest management decisions. In the same context, at the end of 2023 a law was sanctioned that modifies the rules for the approval and commercialization of pesticides, reducing deadlines and changing powers.

This law revokes previous legislation on pesticides and establishes new criteria for the registration of products with substances considered to be at risk. The benefit of this regulatory change is to speed up the process of registering and marketing pesticides, reducing deadlines and simplifying the rules. This can facilitate the availability of new products on the market, allowing a faster response to the demands of agricultural producers.

However, it is important to highlight that there are also concerns about the impacts of these substances on human health and the environment, raising questions about the need for a balance between agility in the regulatory process and safety. Significant advances in biotechnology, such as the recent approval of genetically modified eucalyptus, represent a significant advance in the search for increasingly effective and sustainable solutions in forest management. This eucalyptus, with triple characteristics of increased productivity, tolerance to herbicides and resistance to insects, begins a new stage in forestry, with the potential to give new meaning to the entire sector in the coming years.

The evolution of forestry has witnessed major changes in the control of weed competition, reflecting an ongoing commitment to innovation and sustainability. From traditional methods to integrated approaches that employ cutting-edge technology, the search for effective solutions to manage weeds has been relentless.

The introduction of new molecules and formulations, together with improvements in application technology, has enabled greater selectivity and effectiveness in control, minimizing adverse impacts on desired crops. Furthermore, the approval of genetically modified eucalyptus trees, with specific characteristics of resistance to herbicides and tolerance to insects, represents a milestone in the search for increasingly effective and sustainable solutions.

Regulatory flexibility and the increasing use of technologies such as drones in precision forestry have also contributed to boosting forest management to new levels of efficiency and productivity. Given this scenario, contemporary forestry positions itself as a dynamic and innovative field, where forest competition management plays a fundamental role in promoting healthy forests and guaranteeing a sustainable forestry sector in Brazil.