Weed Science In The Tropics

Excessive weed growth is one of the most serious problems facing farmers throughout the tropics. There is a need for professionally trained weed scientists to become involved in research at the highest level, where existing technologies can be further developed and new ones generated.

Abont weeds; Weed prevention and control-principles and practices; Herbicide chemistry and action; Weed control recommendations.

Weeds hold an enigmatic and sometimes-controversial place in agriculture, where they are generally reviled, grudgingly tolerated, and occasionally admired. In most cases, growers make considerable effort to reduce the negative economic impact of weeds because they compete with crops for resources and hinder field operations, thereby affecting crop productivity and quality, and ultimately the sustainability of agriculture. Weed control in production agriculture is commonly achieved through the integration of chemical, biological, and mechanical management methods. Chemicals (herbicides) usually inhibit the growth and establishment of weed plants by interfering with various physiological and biochemical pathways. Biological methods include crop competition, smother crops, rotation crops, and allelopathy, as well as specific insect predators and plant pathogens. Mechanical methods encompass an array of tools from short handled hoes to sophisticated video-guided robotic machines. Integrating these technologies, in order to relieve the negative impacts of weeds on crop production in a way that allows growers to optimize profits and preserve human health and the environment, is the science of weed management.

The updated edition of the classic, fundamental book on weedscience Weed Science provides a detailed examination ofthe principles of integrated weed management with important detailson how chemical herbicides work and should be used. This revisedFourth Edition addresses recent developments affecting weedscience. These include the increased use of conservation-tillagesystems, environmental concerns about the runoff of agrochemicals,soil conservation, crop biotechnology, resistance of weeds andcrops to herbicides, weed control in nonagricultural settings andconcerns regarding invasive plants, wetland restoration, and theneed for a vastly improved understanding of weed ecology. Current management practices are covered along with guidance forselecting herbicides and using them effectively. To serve as a moreefficient reference, herbicides are cross-listed by chemical andbrand name and grouped by mechanism of action and physiologicaleffect rather than chemical structure. In addition, an introductionto organic chemistry has been added to familiarize readers withorganic herbicides. Also included are guidelines on weed-controlpractices for specific crops or situations, such as small grains,row crops, horticultural crops, lawns and turf, range land, brush,and aquatic plant life. Generously supplemented with 300 drawings, photographs, andtables, Weed Science is an essential book for students taking anintroductory course in weed science, as well as a reference foragricultural advisors, county agents, extension specialists, andprofessionals throughout the agrochemical industry.

The abundant weed growth in the humid and sub-humid tropics is one of the most serious constraints in producing crops, establishing pastures and maintaining water resources. This book presents historic and recent data on the biology of weeds and their control, within the general context of the husbandry of crops and the management of pastures and aquatic situations. The first seven chapters cover the nature of negative values of weeds, principles of weed ecology, weed control and establishment of farming and cropping systems in tropical regions, performance of crops in the tropical ecosystems, main weeds in the forest regions, and main weeds in the savannah regions. Chapter 8 deals with weed control methods in general and chapters 9 to 14 with weed control in various crops. Chapter 15 covers weeds and their control in pastures, and chapter 16 aquatic weed management.