Knowledge grows in South Africa
Successful open field crop production depends on good weed management practices. Controlling weeds forms part of the total crop management program which includes other activities such as pest and disease management and general hygiene. The planning of a weed management control program is much easier than planning pest and disease management programs. The reasons are that…
The problem with weeds is that they have a negative impact on bottom line of the farming business. Quite often growers don’t have enough deeper knowledge to understand just how much it affects yields, quality and efficiency of the whole farm. Competition All plants exert some type of competition on each other. The competition can be in…
General classification of weeds Most farmers use a different method of classifying weeds since it is easier to understand and separate each weed from another in order to control them. Classification according to growth season length Annuals: These weeds complete their life-cycle in one year. Due to the abundance of dormant seed and fast growth of…
Biology of weeds is important since it covers all aspects of their establishment, growth and reproduction. All climatic factors have a significant effect on biological processes. A good knowledge of the biology of weeds will ensure that the grower and researcher will be able to apply technology correctly to control any weed problem. The succession process…
It sounds strange to think that weeds do have advantages. This way of thinking is made difficult by our perception and definition that weeds do not have any use. Plants classified as weeds are often removed without evaluating the environment first. By removing one type of weed in an area does not prevent another, even worse…
A weed is a plant which is growing where it is not desired, or a plant out of place. For instance, maize growing in a peanut field is a weed. Wheat growing in a cotton field is a weed. A weed can be any plant type which is not contributing to the profitability of the farm…
