SuMMARyThis paper discusses possibilities for pyrethrum Chrysanthemum cinerariaefolium (Trevir.) Vis. production in southern regions of Slovakia, with an emphasis on target marketing, management constraints and further research. Pyrethrum is not a traditional crop in Slovakia but prospects have opened up for its cultivation. The high yields and quality of some suitable pyrethrum ecotypes provide the grounds for effective field production under favorable conditions. Pyrethrum yielding 1.275 t of dried flowers per hectare and having at least 1.5% pyrethrum content can be a profitable and highly lucrative crop with an economic result ranging from 413 to 1071 € per ha. A SWOT analysis revealed that pyrethrum production in Slovakia could take a course of an offensive strategy. However, intensive production of this commodity needs further development. Prospects for this non-traditional crop in Slovakia are also promising in terms of development of farming systems in which plant protection products of botanical origin would be welcome. Improved processing and stabilization of extract would further increase the possibilities.

Field trials were conducted in 2009 and 2010 to evaluate herbicides and their combination for weed control in carrots production regions in the Republic of Macedonia. The weed population in the both years was consisted of annual spring and summer ones, and some perennial weeds. The weediness in the both years was relatively high (129.6 plants/m 2 in 2009 and 172.7 plants/m 2 in 2010, respectively). The most dominant weeds were Portulaca oleracea and Echinochloa crus-galli in 2009 and Polygonum lapathifolium, Portulaca oleracea and Echinochloa crus-galli in 2010. Efficacy of herbicides in control of weeds was ranged of 69.8% (metolachlor PRE + linuron POST) to 98.2% (metolachlor + prometryn applied PRE) in 2009, and 71.2% (metolachlor PRE + linuron POST) to 96.8% (metolachlor + linuron applied PRE) in 2010, respectively. Efficacy of herbicides in the control of prevailing weeds during the 2-year field trial period was ranged from 54% to 100%. Particularly high efficacy showed both combinations metolachlor + prometryn and metolachlor + linuron applied PRE which provided nearly 100% control. All applied herbicides and their combinations showed high selectivity to carrots, no visual injured were determined by any rates in both year. Crop yields treated by herbicides reflected their efficiencies in weed control. The highest carrots yield in both years (34925 and 35395 kg/ha, and 32865 and 34254 kg/ha, respestively) were recorded in plots treated with metolachlor + linuron and metolachlor + prometryn applied PRE.

Efficacy of herbicides in control of prevailing weeds during the 3 years field trial period was ranged of 48.5% to 100.0%. No visual alfalfa injured was determined by any rates during the experimental period, and consequently, none of the applied herbicides reduced first-harvest alfalfa yields. Alfalfa yield was markedly affected by herbicide efficacy in all experimental years, particularly in the second year, where yields of herbicide treatments were similar to that of the weed free control.

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Tribulus terrestris L., an annual dicot species of the family Zygophyllaceae, is a common herb that is often found in disturbed habitats and agricultural areas in many parts of the temperate, tropical and desert regions of the world. T. terrestris is an aggressive species that has the potential to injure livestock, reduce hay and wool values, detour recreationists and reduces plant biodivesity. The species may become troublesome because of its weedy potential. It has been declared a weed in at least 37 countries and in at least 21 crops (cotton, maize, vineyards, orchards, etc.). It is adapted to a wide range of climatic conditions and grows on a wide variety of soil types. The management of T. terrestris can be achieved by herbicide application, mechanical (hand pulling, hoeing, mulching) and biological control methods. Beside its invasive potential as a noxious and troublesome weed, T. terrestris is considered highly useful herb which is used for various purposes in folk and modern medicine and sport, as well.