A model to simulate yield losses in winter wheat caused by weeds, for use in a weed management decision support system

► A Decision Support System has been devised to support weed control in winter wheat. ► The biological model comprises: (i) seedling germination and emergence, (ii) early growth, (iii) phenological development, (iv) herbicide and cultivation effects and (v) crop yield loss. ► A decision algorithm identifies economically successful weed management strategies based on the output from the biological model, using efficacy data from a range of herbicides and cultivation practices. ► The decision outputs were validated by experts and by field data. ► The development of the module required integrating novel and existing approaches for simulating weed seedling establishment, plant development and decision algorithm design into a single framework suitable for commercial use.