**7. Weeds in strawberry fields**

As with other plants, strawberry like soil rich in water, air, nutrients, and organic matter. Therefore, the well-cultivated soil is an advantage for the development of weeds. Weeds are a serious problem, and weed control is one of the biggest challenges for strawberry growers. Because strawberry plants grow relatively slowly and are weak competitors, weeds can quickly invade strawberry fields [122]. Numerous annual and perennial weeds species cause damage to strawberry plants (**Tables 1** and **2**) [122].



#### **Table 1.**

*Annual weeds that are problems in strawberry fields.*


#### **Table 2.**

*Perennial weeds that are a problem in strawberry fields.*

Since it is a high-value product, a well-integrated control, that is, cultural, mechanical, and physical control, should be carried out together for strawberry growers for weed control [123]. Crop rotation is an important part of the weed control program in many crops. Since we use different soil treatments and different herbicides when we plant crop plants alternately, it has an important role in the control of annual and perennial weeds [124]. Before using the agricultural tools and machines we use in another area, they should be cleaned, and the transportation of weed seeds should be prevented. A carried weed seed will increase in number and spread exponentially in the following years [124]. Transportation of weed seeds with irrigation water may occur [125]. In order not to carry weed seeds on the sides of the canal to the area where we cultivate, weeds should be controlled, and their transportation should be prevented [124]. Mechanical methods of weed control include manual weeding, hoeing, tillage between rows, and mowing [124]. Black plastic mulch controls most weeds; however, black mulch usually does not warm the soil as much as clear mulch. Clear mulch provides earliness with soil warming, but clear mulch does not control weeds [126].
