What are weeds? How can we control them?
Answer:
Undesirable plants that grow along with crop plants are known as weeds. Xanthium, Parthenium, etc. are some common weeds. Weeds compete with the crop for nutrients, light, and space. As a result, crop plants get lesser nutrients, light, and space for their development. This in turn, reduces their productivity. Thus, various weeding methods are employed.
Some important weeding methods are:
- Weeds can be controlled using weedicides. It is a chemical, which is sprayed in the fields to kill all available weeds. Weedicides are not harmful to crops.
- Tilling before sowing of crops also helps in removing weeds. Tilling uproots the weeds. The best time for the removal of weeds is before they produce flowers and seeds.
- The manual method of removing weeds is with the help of a khurpi. It involves regular uprooting or cutting of weeds close to the ground.