Weed flora, yield losses and weed control in cotton crop

Abstract

Cotton (Gossypium spp.) is the most important fiber crop of world and provides fiber, oil, and animals meals. Weeds interfere with the growth activities of cotton plants and compete with it for resources. All kinds of weeds (grasses, sedges, and broadleaves) have been noted to infest cotton crop. Weeds can cause more than 30% decrease in cotton productivity. Several methods are available for weed control in cotton. Cultural control carries significance for weed control up to a certain extent. However, mechanical control and chemical control are the backbone of weed management plans in cotton crop. Use of allelopathy has also been found effective for suppressing weeds in cotton. Allelopathy used in several forms (such as intercropping, mulches, and crop rotation) contributes to weed control in cotton crop. All of these weed management practices may be integrated to achieve economical and sustainable weed control in cotton with an ultimate result of improved weed control, productivity, quality of produce in cotton crop.

Keywords

• cotton
• weed-crop competition
• weed management
• yield losses