WEEDS--BENEFICIAL AND HARMFUL EFFECTS

 WEEDS--BENEFICIAL AND HARMFUL EFFECTS

Weeds are plants that are unwanted in a given situation and may be harmful, dangerous, or economically detrimental. Weeds are a serious threat to primary production and biodiversity.   

 

They reduce farm and forest productivity, displace native species, and contribute significantly to  

land and water degradation. The costs of weeds to the natural environment are also high, with  

weed invasion being ranked second only to habitat loss in causing biodiversity decline. 

Despite considerable government and private sector investment, weed invasion still  

represents a major threat to both the productive capacity of land and water and the integrity of  

our natural ecosystems. An efficient weed control program can only be developed after the  

weed has been properly identified. Weeds can be managed using many different methods. The  

most effective management of weeds is usually achieved through collaboration and co- 

the operation, in partnerships between the community, land owners, agriculture, industry and the  

various levels of government, using a combination of methods in conjunction with a thorough  

follow-up campaign. 

Weed management is an important component of plant protection improving the  

production potential of crops. It includes the management of the weeds in a way that the crop  

sustains its production potential without being harmed by the weeds. Weed management is  

done through mechanical, cultural, and chemical means. The use of biological control methods in  

field crops is being considered, but still not much in use. The use of herbicides is an important  

method in the modern concept of much in use. 

The use of herbicides is an important method in the  

modern concept of weed-management technology. New hand tools and implements have also  

been designed to assist in the wed-management program.