Weed management strategies for conservation agriculture: A review

Abstract

Conservation agriculture (CA) represents an agricultural management approach characterized by minimal soil disturbance, the retention of residue for soil cover, and crop rotation at its core. In contrast, conventional agricultural practices involve intensive tillage, clean cultivation, and excessive agrochemical use, contributing to environmental deterioration and pollution. The main goals of implementing conservation agriculture practices include promoting agricultural sustainability, conserving resources and improving the biological functions of the agro-ecosystem, all achieved by minimizing mechanical interventions and using external inputs thoughtfully. However, the adoption of CA faces challenges in managing weeds due to alterations in tillage patterns, planting systems, and other management strategies. The key strategy for mitigating weed infestation in CA involves preventing field contamination. Various techniques, such as adjusting crop planting dates, increasing crop density, employing band placement of fertilizer, breeding competitive cultivars with allelopathic effects, retaining crop residue, practicing crop rotation, and utilizing the stale seed bed technique can be employed for effective weed control. Herbicides are considered as integral part of weed management in CA, can be used in conjunction with other options to optimize results. To enhance weed control efficacy in CA, it is crucial to integrate diverse weed management strategies, as no single method can provide the desired level of control. A comprehensive approach ensures a broader spectrum of weed control under CA practices.