Thesis Abstract

Weeds pose a major threat to crop productivity by competing for nutrients, water and sunlight. Uncontrolled weed growth can lead to significant crop yield losses. Chemical herbicides are commonly used for weed control but overreliance on them raises sustainability concerns. The study evaluates the efficacy of different weed control methods including manual weeding, mechanical weeding, mulching and use of organic herbicides on major crops like rice, wheat, maize, soybean and sugarcane. Field experiments were conducted during the crop seasons of 2022-23. Weed density, weed dry matter and crop yield under different treatments were recorded and statistically analyzed. The study provides insights on sustainable and cost-effective weed management options for farmers.

Thesis Overview