Weed management

The definition of weed as given by Weed Science Society of America(WSSA) is

"Any plant that is objectionable or interferes with activities and welfare of man"

Crop losses due to agricultural pests in Indian agricultural scenario

Sno.	Agricultural pests	Losses(%)
1	Weeds	37
2	Insects	29
3	Diseases	22
4	Others	12
	Total	100

Global and Indian pesticide use scenario (% of total)

Sno	Agricultural pesticides	Global	India
1	Insecticide	52	20
2	Herbicide	7	61
3	Fungicide	32	17
4	Others	4	2

Soil solarization

Soil acts as are reservoir of weed seeds and therefore the importance of soil solarization in destroying the seed reserves are increasingly being recognized. By covering of soil with transparent polythene sheets, the temperature is increased to a lethal level for weeds. Soil temperature increases to the tune of 8-12 degree Centigrade by soil solarization over corresponding non mulched soil. The response of soil solarization varies with weed species.