Ecological Methods for Weed Management

Abstract

Weed ecology is influenced by the plant community composition, the evolution of weeds, allelopathy and competition. Climatic, edaphic and biotic factors determine the distribution of weed species, their type, prevalence and intricate relationships resulting in association of weeds whose ecological requirements tally with the crop. Environmental factors such as temperature, osmotic potential, pH, salinity, light, burial depth and management practices affect seed germination and emergence of weeds. These factors are important for the development of integrated weed control strategies. We review ecological weed association, germination ecology of weeds, crop-weed competition, weed flora in different crops and ecological approaches for weed management. We discuss shifting the focus from weed control to weed management and how the integration of cultural, mechanical and chemical practices can reduce weed establishment. Weeds reduce crop yield by competition for light, water, nutrients and space, interfering with harvesting operations and increasing the cost involved in crop production. Cultural practices can be manipulated for eliminating or reducing the population of major weeds. Overall, knowledge of weed ecology can be used as a tool for effective weed management.