© 2018 IJRAR October 2018, Volume 5, Issue 4 www.ijrar.

org (E-ISSN 2348-1269, P- ISSN 2349-5138)

Effect on crop yield by weed infestation in India- A

review
Arshdeep Singh* and Shimpy Sarkar
Department of Agronomy*, School of Agriculture, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab-144411(INDIA)
Department of Entomology, School of Agriculture, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab-144411(INDIA)

Abstract
Crop weed competition is a natural occurrence, in which one of them either loss their yield or may survive due to
presence of others. This is their natural tendency that they both want to survive by anyhow. Mostly the weeds have
same morphological characters as the crops for example wheat (Triticum aestivum) and Gulli danda (Phalaris
minor), Rice (Oryza sativa) and swank. During early stage we can not differentiate between them. In this competition
one will produce maximum yield and other will be at loss. Both will try to survive by taking place of each other for
Space, Nutrition, Air, Soil moisture, Light and carbon dioxide (CO2) to give their production. This is considered as
crop weed competition. By this way mostly crop will get effected by the competition and yield will get minimized.
We all are producing hybrid seeds or using selective characters by plants breeding and making more sensitive crop
as comparison to weeds. Weeds are hardy in nature as well as wild so can tolerate adverse climatic conditions better
in comparison to crops. This is not specific that all weeds will affect crop in same way, the intensity of weeds, length
of weeds, types of weeds and climatic conditions all are different and may cause variable effects on the crops.
Keywords: Crop-weed competition, weed infestation.

Introduction
In India, by the early studies made many workers have reported that there is always a critical period of crop-weed
competition and crop is suffered by the yield loss. However, all studies were based on practical or experimental
values(data). Some of the researchers have done collaboration with the farmers to perform research at the farmers
level and after proper validation they have recommended that publicly by farmer’s yield data analysis. It is very
much important to have data regarding crop yield losses by weeds for further studies. This data is helpful to make
plant protection measures against the weed infestation with respect to agriculture. Weeds can grow itself without
any care by the farmers. It has been reported that weeds also show resistance against the toxic chemicals (Herbicides
and weedicides). The farmer may die with the miss use of that chemicals, but weeds show resistance due to
morphological changes by itself for e.g. Parthenium commonly known as Congress grass against the 2,4-D (Na)
Sodium salt chemical. The weeds can survive under adverse climatic conditions like heavy rainfall, stagnation of
water for long time, more heat or temperature, drought conditions or long dry spells, more shade, Acid soil and water
which are not suitable for the crops but weeds can survive easily in this conditions of farm. If there is no proper
control measure used, then crop and weed subsequently will take proper growth up to the maturity stage. This is not
possible that only crops are suffering always, sometimes if cropping pattern used properly then weed also suffer by
less spacing and light. Types of crops also effect the growth of weeds for examples in the sugarcane weeds are not
able to supress to sugarcane easily sue to sugarcane have more height and wild in nature.
Crop-weed competition study provide good information to researchers or farmers that if we are not controlling weeds
then how much loss in crop yield will be there or at what time we must take precautions properly. This study also
gives information about threshold level limit. It is also helpful to know about the critical time of weed competition
with crop, also suggest control measures, when it is important or not.
Additionally, this study informs the merits and demerits about the cropping systems like rotation of crops, cultural
methods, intercropping systems, seed rate, plant to plant or row to row spacing. In this way we have information
about the cropping system that which one gives you good result to control the weeds.

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Review literatures
Crop-weed competition for nutrients
- Weeds are wild in nature and have more adoptability against the adverse climatic conditions as comparison
to crops. So, that weeds can absorb more nutrients quickly than the crops and add them into their tissues in
more amount. For example, According to the experiment, during the comparison for uptake of nutrients by
weeds and maize plants. It has been reported that weeds absorbed 5 times more nutrients as comparison to
maize plant after sowing month (Lehoczky and Reisinger 2003).
- In another experiment Seyyedi et al. 2016 had observed that those weeds have black seed they absorbed N,
P, K 2 times more than the crops.
- Mehriya et al. 2007 suggested that by the competition of Cuminum cyminum and weed, the weed plant
absorbed more amount of N, P, K.
Crop-weed competition for moisture
- Weeds uptake capacity is quite higher than the crops and during moisture absorption, weeds absorb mor
moisture and can create moisture stress condition for crops, by this process only up to 34% crop yield get
reduced (Oerke 2006).
- According to the studies weeds are absorbing more water due to its high transpiration rate. By more
absorption rate their roots penetrate deep in the soil and causing cracks which leads to the negative impact
on crop by which it suffers loss (Zimdahl 2013).
- Few common weeds (annual) competes with crop and transpires up to 4 time higher than crop and produces
3 times higher dry matter content. For e.g. the water uptake by Chenopodium album (bathua) is 550mm
throughout its life cycle and Wheat plant uptake is 479mm (Hasanuzzaman 2008).
- In the further studies due to moisture stress, problem weeds can reduce the crop yield up to an extent that is
more than 50% (Abouziena et al. 2014-15).
Crop-weed competition for light and space
- Light is one of the most important factors, which is responsible for better yield, but due to crop weed
competition for light, weed cause harmful effect on crop. Weeds are wild in nature as well as aggressive.
Due to the hight benefit weeds cause shade problem for crops. So, the photosynthesis rate effected and in
result yield reduced.
- The availability of proper light is much important for crop when moisture and nutrients re abundant. The
space is much required for crops to fulfil the requirement of carbon dioxide (CO2). But when the plant density
is higher than inter and intra competition is increased.
Crop yield reduction by weeds competition
- It has been examined by Joshi et al. 2001 that if weeds are left uncontrolled or untreated, the yield losses
from 20% to 100%, on an average 40%-60% are commonly occurred. The crop yield loss is depending on
the weed infestation, weed types, time of infestation and on climatic conditions.
- It has been examined by Mani et al. 1968 that up to 31.5% yield loss due to weed infestation which is
considered as higher in kharif season. Due to the weed competition the crop yield loss maximum in sugar
beets it is 70.3%, in onion 68%, in sugarcane 34.2%, in linseed 34.2% in groundnut it is 33.8% and in pea
crop it is 32.9% by (Mandal 2007).
- According to Bhan et al. 1999 it is estimated than in India the crop yield decreased up to 31.5% in winter
season the crop loss yields up to 22.7% and in kharif season 36.5%.
Economic losses due to weed infestation
- It has been estimated by Joshi et al. 2001 that due to weed infestation only during 1973-74. There was huge
loss in Indian economy it was Rs 5000 crores of which 33% contributed by weeds alone in India. (Financial
express, 7th April, 1975).

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- It is also studied by Joshi et al. 2001that the economic losses due to disease was 26%, by insect 20%, by
rodents 6%, by storage 6-8%, other than weeds. Out of Rs. 5000 crores weeds found to cause loss around
Rs. 1650 crores.

Conclusion
Weeds are harmful for crops due to their presence only the availability of nutrients are affected. Crops are not
growing properly, sue to its infestation, so many insects are attracted by the weeds only and they cause heavy
losses in crop yield. Weeds competes for nutrients. Light, space, carbon dioxide (CO2) etc. to completes their
life cycle. If weeds are not controlled, then crop production will be reduced. Indian economy also affected with
it up to Rs. 1650 crores only by weeds infestation out of Rs. 5000 crores.

Reference
Abouziena HF, El-Saeid HM and Amin AAES. 2014-15. Water loss by weeds: a review.
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Bhan VM, Sushilkumar, Raghuwanshi MS. 1999. Weed Management in India. Indian Journal of Plant Protection
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Hasanuzzaman M. 2008 Crop-Weed Competition. 6 pp. http://hasanuzzaman.weebly.com/

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Mani VC, Gautam KC and Chakraberty TK. 1968. Losses in crop yield in India due to weed
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