Abstract
Plant functional traits integrate the ecological and evolutionary history of a species, and can potentially be used to predict its response as well as its influence on ecosystem functioning. Understanding its mechanistic role for community assembly can provide evidence to understand weed-crop interactions, and in particular, how weeds impact on crop production. In this article, we tried to explain the various traits specifically leaf functional traits (LFTs) used to know the level of competition between crop and weeds under the agro-ecosystem. To accomplish this, we synthesized the available information by carrying out a literature survey and standardized protocols from available databases showing the variation in the respective traits of crop and weeds. And, it is found that there are certain specific LFTs such as leaf area, leaf size and specific leaf area are helpful to calculate the level of competition under weed crop interactions. So, these traits proved to be a good tool to screen out species for productivity and ecological performance in the species interactions. This confirms with previous findings that knowledge to measure the LFTs can improve the yield in response to weed competition and can be implemented by the farmers in the field. Also, this array of traits can help to minimize the use of different chemicals (weedicides, herbicides and pesticides) in weeds management under agro-ecosystems which affect the biotic factors such as soil biota. However, more studies are required to explore the utility of these traits under weed-crop interactions in the agro-ecosystems.
Highlights
Functional traits are perhaps need-based modifications that determine the trade-off between organisms and abiotic components
There is reason to expect farmers who manage for greater on-farm diversity are likely to use a more detailed understanding of functional traits in decision-making
The knowledge of the competitive characteristics related to the leaf traits become an important idea to define more sustainable management strategies, because, foliage is the most important component involved in most important function
Summary
Functional traits are perhaps need-based modifications that determine the trade-off between organisms and abiotic components. The productivity data indicates an increasing trend for the period 1958-1998, but a decreasing and stagnating trend afterwards [8], but the continuously increasing population indicates the shortage of food supply for upcoming generations It is one of the most important cereal crops in many parts of India but, the productivity of wheat is mainly limited by the presence of weeds which consume essential plant nutrients, moisture and solar energy and compete with the crop for space. Despite important advances in the field, prominent researchers have contended that as a discipline, research on alternative agricultural systems lacks theoretical advances that provide appropriate predictive competition ability among species To address this issue, there have been several reviews discussing and outlining conceptual road maps for research into alternative agricultural strategies. We seek to do so by reviewing published literature to illustrate the weed-crop competition (troublesome weeds Avena, Phalaris and Chenopodium sps.) using leaf functional traits (Figure 2)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
