A synbiotic approach to the formulation of innovative bioherbicides for weed control: a global perspective

Effective weed management remains a crucial concern in agriculture. The quest for alternatives to conventional herbicides, driven by limitations and drawbacks, presents a challenge today in terms of efficacy, costs, safety, and weed resistance. Accordingly, new strategies of integrating multiple approaches are emerging. Within this landscape, the utilization of bioherbicides, sourced from microorganisms or plants, holds a prominent place. This perspective paper proposes and discusses the potential of an innovative approach that combines live microorganisms and botanical components in synbiotic formulations to develop the next generation of bioherbicides as a promising solution for sustainable weed management. Their mixture may provide superior efficacy than when each is used individually, due to synergistic interactions arising from complementary and/or cooperative effects. It also addresses strategy design, formulation, and product control while presenting the challenges and potential risks of such concept.