Weed Management in Pulse Crops: Challenges and Opportunities

Abstract

Pulses are known for their role in nutritional security, and sustainability of agricultural production systems and agro-ecology. It is a main source of protein to the vegetarian population of the country. India is the largest producer, consumer and importer of pulses. But, the productivity of pulses in India is far below than several countries of the world. The low productivity of pulses in India is mainly due to several biotic and abiotic factors among which weeds are major ones since they severely affect the pulse crops yield. An estimate shows yield losses due to weeds are more than any other pests. The intensity and diversity of weed flora in pulses depends on climatic, edaphic and crop management practices. It has been observed that sedges population in cereal-cereal systems can be minimized through diversification or intensification of cropping systems with pulse crops as components. In addition, most of the pulses are grown as rainfed crops with no or minimal inputs and inadequate weed management. Limited attention was paid in the past by researchers also on development of effective strategies to manage weeds in pulses. Only a few herbicides are registered in India for use in pulses and most of the weed management recommendations in pulses are of pre-emergence herbicide application followed by manual weeding. But, due to shortage of labor for intercultural operations, the need was recognized for development of alternate methods involving post-emergence herbicides too for effective weed management in pulses. The conservation agriculture (CA) adopted acreage is increasing in India with a focus on inclusion of pulses in crop diversification component of CA. Hence, there is need to develop long-term strategies of weed management by inclusion of modern technologies in pulse crops.