Question

What is weed? Explain the different methods of weed control.

Answer 1

1. Weed:
   The undesirable plants may grow naturally along with the main crop, and these undesirable plants are called weeds.
2. Weeding:
   The removal of weeds is called weeding. It is an important process because weeds compete with the crop plants for nutrients, sunlight, water, space, and other resources. It results in the undernourishment of crops and it leads to low yield.
3. Mechanical methods:
   a. Here, weeds are destroyed physically.
   b. Hand pulling or weeding with the help of a weeding hole is the oldest and most efficient method for controlling weeds.
4. Tillage methods: 
   a. It is the practical method of destroying weeds of all categories.
   b. Weeds are buried in the soil and also exposed to Sun heat by deep ploughing.
5. Crop Rotation:
   Proper rotation of crops is followed for controlling crop associated and parasitic weeds.
6. Summer tillage:
   Deep ploughing after harvest of Rabi crop and exposing underground parts of weeds to strong sunlight during summer months is useful for destroying many annual and perennial weeds.
7. Biological weed control:
   a. Bio agents like insects and pathogens are used to control weeds.
   b. The objectives are not eradication, but reduction and regulation of the weed population.
8. Chemical methods:
   a. Very effective in certain cases and have great scope in weed control.
   b. The chemicals used for killing the weeds or inhibiting their growth are called herbicides.
   c. Chemicals are mixed with water and sprayed over the crops.
9. Integrated weed management:
   a. Integrated weed management combines different agronomic practices and herbicides use to manage weeds, so that the reliance on any one weed control technique is reduced.
   b. Mechanical, biological, cultural, and chemical methods are included in integrated weed management.