Many problems in weed science may be solved by utilizing immunochemical techniques, although these techniques are currently underutilized by weed scientists. In this review, we describe some of the methods of greatest use to weed scientists. Antibodies may be raised against proteins, such as the targets of herbicide action or against the herbicide itself which can be linked to a larger molecule so that antibodies are elicited. Once specific antibodies are obtained, several techniques may be performed utilizing the binding phenomena of antibody-antigen interactions. Immunofluorescence and immunogold electron microscopy are utilized to obtain tissue and subcellular distributions of the protein or herbicide of interest. Quantitation of either protein or herbicide in a given sample may be performed by ELISA or “slot” and “dot” blotting. These protocols are less costly, more sensitive, and much less labor-intensive than most analytical methods. Molecular mass or charge alterations may be determined by electrophoresis and subsequent immunoblotting. With the increased exposure to immunological techniques by weed scientists and their potential utility, we predict that many more weed science problems will be addressed using these protocols.

Weed scientists are trained broadly in agronomy, botany, chemistry, soils, and other agricultural disciplines. The study of weeds, rather than the techniques used or the questions asked, unifies weed scientists around a common focus. It is often difficult for weed scientists to identify closely with any one scientific discipline, since the techniques and questions of many disciplines are needed to address problems posed by weeds. One discipline with relevance and potential for addressing weed science problems is physiological ecology. The study of the functioning or adaptation of plants in relation to environmental influences has its roots in both classical ecology and experimental physiology. Application of this discipline to weed science may take an environmental approach (e.g., studying limiting factors in the environment), a physiological approach (e.g., studying the responses of critical plant processes to environmental stress), or a more autecological approach (e.g., studying the physiological basis for the adaptation of a particular weed to a particular habitat). Many methodologies and technologies are available for both field and laboratory investigations. For example, photosynthesis, a major determinant of plant growth, can be investigated in the field at the leaf, plant, or canopy level using plant growth analysis or a portable infrared gas analyzer (IRGA) and appropriate assimilation chambers. Investigations of photosynthesis in the laboratory can focus on the plant, leaf, chloroplast, or thylakoid level using an IRGA or the techniques of polarography (measurement of evolved oxygen) or fluorometry. Application of such approaches to weed science should improve our understanding of the basis for particular weed problems and thus broaden our options for management.