preview

Disadvantages Of Weed Infestation

Decent Essays

Weed infestation has been known to cause substantial reductions in crop yields thereby obstructing sustainable agriculture (Ayeni et al., 2013). Weed competition was identified by Mbanje et al. (2001) as the most important factor for yield reduction in both commercial and communal farming in Zimbabwe. Weeds threat had forced farmers to use synthetic herbicides which have detrimental effects on the environment. Synthetic herbicides are also expensive and are not readily available for communal farmers’ use. Chemical and mechanical weed management reduce profitability in crop production since these methods are expensive. Recent efforts are being intensified on finding alternative strategies for weed management. The need for safe food production has developed steadily over the years as a result of consciousness about food quality and environmental concerns regarding agrochemicals used in agriculture. Such efforts include the use of allelochemicals which are believed to be much safer than synthetic herbicides. Crops/plants release chemicals i.e “allelochemicals” which could be utilized for …show more content…

Chemical and mechanical weed control methods are associated with many disadvantages. There is need to improve the cultural methods of weed management such as the use of allelopathy. Sorghum has allelopathic properties which reduce weed germination and growth but is not known whether different varieties produce different levels of allelochemicals. Knowing sorghum varieties with best allelepathic effects on the common weeds will help in reducing weed problems in Zimbabwe. Local studies have not shown the extent to which sorghum allelopathy can suppress germination and growth of Acanthospermum hispidum and Elusine Indica. The extent to which soil type affects allelopathic weed control has not been shown by local

Get Access