Weeds are the unwanted plants grown along with the plant species, i.e., plant grown in the wrong place. They compete with the productive crops by contaminating harvests or interfering with livestock and also some of the species can be poisonous, distasteful, produce burrs, thorns, etc., which results in reduce crop yield and crop quality. To stop the weeds growing various methods are applied which is known as weed control. Weed control is the botanical component of pest control which stops the weeds from growing to the mature stage. There are 5 categories of weed control:
- Preventative Weed Control: Includes using certified weed-free seed and screening irrigation water to prevent weed seeds from traveling along irrigation ditches.
- Cultural Weed Control: Includes crop rotation, avoiding overgrazing of pastures and maintaining good soil fertility
- Mechanical Weed Control: Includes tillage and mowing.
- Biological Weed Control: Includes usage of natural enemies of the weed-like sheep, moth, flea Beatle, goats
- Chemical Weed Control: Includes usage of chemicals like 2,4-DB, EPTC, bromoxynil, and paraquat.
Pest control is defined as management of species or pest which adversely the plants and human activities. Different methods are followed for pest control in the agricultural industry:
- Biological Pest Control: It involves the predatory mechanism with the help of an active management role. Pests are controlled by using other organisms that are predatory.
- Cultural Control: It involves the use of hands-on techniques with simple equipment and devices which act as a barrier between plants and insects.
- Trap Cropping: The plant that attracts pests and diverts them to nearby crops.
