Organic weed management: an ecofriendly approach

Weeds are plants which compete with the main crop for nutrients, light, water, space etc. These have been problem since the agriculture came into existence. These also act as hosts for different diseases and insects and are also responsible for health problems from skin allergies to breathing trouble and sinusitis injurious to living organisms. Herbicides used for weed control are detrimental due to their residual effects, making the soil sick, causing air pollution and being harmful to the organisms which are boon to agriculture. The traditional or organic weed management practices do not have such problems though are equally effective for weed management. It is not desirable to eradicate the weeds completely but to keep them at threshold level which is easily manageable and economically viable. There are numerous non-chemical methods which can manage the weeds such as preventive measures, cultural practices, water management, mulching, use of primed seeds, soil solarization, plant geometry, mechanical control, biological control etc.