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VOL. 6, ISSUE 6 (2021)
Weeds in finger millet and their management: A retrospect
Authors
Ashirbachan Mahapatra, Sahadeva Singh*, Rajesh Sriram Kalasare, Pradipta Ranjan Pradhan, Chandrasekhar Sahu
Abstract
Millets are a group of highly variable small-seeded grasses, widely grown around the world as cereal crops or grains for human food and as fodder. Fifty years back, millets were largely cultivated in Asia and Africa. Following the western model of development, fine cereals like rice, wheat and maize were popularised in place of millets due to change in food habits. Among major millets, finger millet is one of the most popular millets in India. Foods prepared from it, are recommended by physicians for patients and infants above six months age. Besides this, finger millet is a C4 crop which may yield more in future in the changing climatic scenario. Despite all the facts, both the growth and productivity of the crop are in declining trend due to several biotic and abiotic stresses. Among biotic stresses, weed infestation alone is responsible for yield loss up to an extent of 70% in finger millet. The crop grows slowly in the early stage of development. Weeds grow faster and have competitive advantages over crop during crop growth. Weeds deprive the crop from nutrients, water, light and space which ultimately reduces crop yield. So, the weeds need to be controlled right from the beginning and at least for 4-6 weeks of early crop growth. Echinochloa colona, Digitaria sangunalis, Cyanadon dactylon, Panicum milliacea, Dactyloctenium aegyptium, Cyperus rotundus, Amaranthus viridis, Eleusine indica, Celosia argentia, Commelina benghalensis, Euphorbia geniculate etc. are the major weed species found in finger crop. Farmers have less knowledge about proper weed management practices in finger millet. They should be trained regarding different aspects of weed management viz. preventive methods, mechanical methods, cultural methods, chemical methods and their integration as a holistic approach of weed management in finger millet. Several methods of weed management in finger millet have been standardised by different workers. The available options are discussed in this paper.
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Pages:1495-1499
How to cite this article:
Ashirbachan Mahapatra, Sahadeva Singh*, Rajesh Sriram Kalasare, Pradipta Ranjan Pradhan, Chandrasekhar Sahu "Weeds in finger millet and their management: A retrospect ". International Journal of Botany Studies, Vol 6, Issue 6, 2021, Pages 1495-1499
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