Weed management challenges in small‐holder potato systems in Bhutan

Abstract

SummaryOver the past four decades potato has emerged as the most important cash crop for Bhutanese mountain farmers. Farmers’ feedback and field observations were used to describe weed populations, weed management and weed‐production environment‐yield interactions in small‐holder potato production systems. Weed species across a range of locations in order of declining importance are: Persicaria runcinata, Galium aparine, Fagopyrum dibotrys, Digitaria ciliaris, Commelina maculata, Galinsoga parviflora and Persicaria nepalensis. The same species were common in the traditional buckwheat and maize production systems as well as the more recently established potato production systems. Limited associations between soil properties, management practices, weed species abundance and potato yield were observed. Species emerging as potential problem weeds, especially P. runcinata and F. dibotrys, are little known outside the Himalayan region. The increase in P. runcinata, reported by 42% of the respondents, was attributed to the use of metribuzin, cutting of rhizomes by plough or spade, high inputs of fertiliser and continuous cultivation of potato by 61%, 17%, 9%, 9% and 4% of respondents respectively. Metribuzin application reduced growth of P. runcinata but could not fully control it. Metribuzin is an effective and affordable weed management tool for small‐holder potato farmers, but perennial weed species need further research, combining mechanical and chemical methods with cropping strategies.