Abstract:
The impact of the presence of weeds on crop production is very considerable.
Estimates suggest that weeds are responsible for an overall reduction of
somewhat more than 10% in the yield of the major world crops, accounting
for a huge annual loss of food supplies. Weeds deprive the crop of water,
mineral nutrients and light, and so prevent it from achieving full potential
(Das, 2011). While in developed countries weed management is done
through the use of herbicides and machinery, in poorly developed or
developing countries, particularly at the small farm level, the farmer and
his/her family spend more than 40 percent of their labour time in handweeding
operations. This situation limits the productivity of the farmers and
the socio-economic development of their family (FAO, undated). To
minimize the direct impact of weeds on crops and achieve optimum crop
yield requires the most efficient methods of management.
