Advances in Weed Management – An Indian Perspective

Weeds are one of the major biotic factors causing significant loss in productivity of different agro-ecosystems. Weed competes with crops for various resources, resulting in severe yield loss. In field crops, the loss caused due to weeds has a wide range of 15–90%, although it largely depends on the management strategies adopted. A multidisciplinary team comprising scientists, farmers, industry personnel, social workers, and policy-makers is required to implement new approaches for weed management. Relying on single method (manual/mechanical/cultural/chemical) of weed control may lead to problems of shift in weed flora, herbicide resistance in weeds, adverse impact on ecosystem, establishment of perennial weeds, etc. This strategy needs to be replaced with multiple and integrated strategies in a system mode. Therefore, an integrated weed management (IWM) approach involving concept of ‘many little hammers'and ‘technological advancement’ in a holistic manner is required to keep the weed pressure minimum. Development and use of sensor-based site-specific weed-management techniques, nontransgenic herbicide tolerant crops, nano-herbicides, safe and effective biocontrol agents, destruction of weed seeds, etc. will add new tools in weed management. This paper reviews the progress, strengths and weaknesses of different weed-management technologies developed in so far India and highlights future research needs.