Effect of linear view approach of weed management in agro-ecosystem: A review

Abstract

Weeds are considered a pest that is detrimental to human interest. Weeds compete with cultivated and
desirable plants for space, soil nutrient, and sunlight and soil moisture thereby reducing crop
productivity. Weeds also serve as a host for pests and pathogens that cause plant diseases. Weeds
typically produce large numbers of seeds, assisting their spread, and rapidly invade disturbed sites.
Seeds spread into natural and disturbed environments, via wind, waterways, people, vehicles,
machinery, birds and other animals. To prevent the effect of weeds on crop productivity, farmers mostly
use a linear approach for weed management. The linear view approach aims at eradicating weeds
without concern about the environment. This paper reviews the effects of the linear view approach of
weed management in the agro-ecosystem. A review using forty-one articles reveals that herbicides
application, bush burning and soil tillage are the most often used linear view approach for controlling
weeds in the farm ecosystem. The paper highlights the contribution of these weed control methods to
climate change through loss of biodiversity, pollution of water bodies, soil degradation, deterioration of
fruit quality and release of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere.