Chapter 7 - Weed Problem in Millets and Its Management

Abstract

Millets are important staple foods in the semiarid tropics of Asia and Africa. Low productivity and susceptibility to biotic and abiotic factors are the major reasons for declining area and productivity of millets. As the millets are grown predominantly during the hot and humid rainy season, weeds grow profusely and deprive these crops of vital nutrients and moisture and reduce the yield considerably. Because of a wider row spacing and slow initial growth in millets, weeds are more problematic during the early crop growth period. Early control of the weeds is, therefore, considered necessary to optimize the yield. The objective of this chapter is to review the researches that have been conducted pertaining to various aspects of weed management in different millets, while identifying key knowledge gaps to be addressed in future. A review of the literature suggests that satisfactory weed control can be achieved by supplementing preemergence herbicides with one manual or mechanical weeding. Further research is needed to evaluate the postemergence herbicides that are considered to be the best suited for different millets and millet-based intercropping systems. This may perhaps improve weed control practices and potentially reduce their environmental impacts, including herbicide residues, leaching, and runoff.