Weed is an unwanted plant. It grows on the agricultural land and is harmful for the crops. Almost 45% of the total annual loss of agricultural produce in India is caused by weeds.
Weed Menace in Agriculture
- Acts as alternate hosts to crops & diseases
- Reduces nutrient values of the agricultural land
- Limits choice of crops
Beneficial Effects of Weed
There are some benefits of weeds on the agricultural land like:
- Conserve soil moisture & prevent erosion of soil nutrients
- Add to organic matter content of the soil
- Some weeds are helpful in fixing atmospheric nitrogen in paddy soils. E.g. blue green algae
- Some weeds are being used for the purpose of green manure and composting
- Act as alternative food sources to pests which are natural enemies of crops
- Some weeds have medicinal properties too like –
- Leucas aspera used to cure snake bites
- Calotropis procera for gastric troubles
- Argemona Mexicana for skin disorders
- Phyllantus nirur for jaundice
- Striga orobanchoides to control diabetes