Chapter 1 - Overview and Significance of Non-Chemical Weed Control

Abstract

Weeds are among the most important pests of agricultural crops that not only decrease the crop yields but also severely damage the quality of produce. Herbicides are usually effective in suppressing weeds occasionally supplemented with other weed control methods. During recent times, a number of factors have increased the importance of non-chemical weed control methods. Some of these are environmental concerns arising by overuse of pesticides, rising demands for organic food, and an evolution of herbicide resistance in weeds. This chapter discusses “why non-chemical weed control is needed?” and also provides an overview of currently available non-chemical weed control techniques.