Weeds and their management

Course objectives:

The course enables students to:

• Learn the weed biology and nature of weed-crop competition and interference.
• Equip with knowledge regarding various methods of weed control in field crops, orchards, forestry and non-cropped areas.
• Know the properties and uses of herbicides belonging to different groups.
• Learn biotechnological issues of weed science.
• Know the environmental implications of herbicide use.
• Learn sound planning of weed control experiments for future research.

Course description:

Weeds: definition, characteristics, classification, losses caused and useful aspects; Weed biology: propagation, dispersal, persistence and importance of weed biology in weed control; Weed ecology and weed competition: crop-weed competition, weed-crop interference and critical period of crop-weed competition. Methods of weed control: mechanical, cultural, chemical, biological and integrated. Herbicides: Classification, mechanism of action, properties, formulation, absorption and translocation; Application of herbicide: time dose and method; Herbicide selectivity; Plant environment and herbicide interaction; Fate of herbicide in soil; Herbicide resistance in weeds and its management; Herbicide and environment. Weed management in field crops, orchards, forestry and non-cropped areas; Biotechnological application in weed management; Principles of weed research experiments.

Course content

1.      Weeds: Definition, characteristics, classification, losses caused  and useful aspects

2.      Weed biology

3.      Weed ecology, weed-crop association and competition

4.      Weed management

4.1  components of weed management

4.2  methods of weed control

5.      Herbicides: classification, nomenclature and properties

6.      Herbicide formulation and adjuvants

7.      Herbicide application technology

8.      Herbicide: absorption, translocation and mode of action

9.      Herbicide selectivity

10.  Fate of herbicide in the soil

11.  Crop environment and herbicide interaction

12.  Herbicide and environment

13.  Herbicide resistance and weed shift

14.  Weed management in different crops

15.  Principles of weed research experiment

Practical

ü  Collection and identification of weeds

ü  Preparation of weed album

ü  Practical demonstration on different methods of weed control

ü  Calculation of herbicide doses based on active ingredient

ü  Handling of herbicide spray equipments

ü  Maintenance and cleaning of sprayers

Evaluation

Practical report: 10%

Test (2x): 40%

Final exam: 50%

References

1.      Gupta, Q, P. (2010). Weed management: Principles and Practices. AGROBIOS (India), Jodhpur

2.      Jajakumar, R and Jagannathan, R. (2007). Weed Science Principles. Kalyani Publishers, Ludhiana, India.

3.      Walia, U. S. (2006).  Weed Management. Kalyani Publishers, Ludhiana, India.