MULTAN: The weeds can reduce sunflower crop production by 20 to 45 per cent, warns agriculture experts.
In a statement issued by the Media Liaison Unit of Punjab Agriculture Department, the experts said that first 6 weeks after germination were important, during which the farmers were required to keep the fields free from the weeds. “Weeds compete with the crop in absorbing water and sunlight, and often get two to three times bigger share than the crop itself, and thus decreases the production,” the experts added. They further said that weeds also served as a habitat for the enemy pests and could trigger diseases.
They advised the farmers to perform hoeing by hand to remove weeds in case of availability of manpower, and keep the soil soft besides making its access to the air easy. “Removal of weeds becomes easy in case of crop sown on ridges,” they explained.
They said in case the crop was sown on beds, the farmers should spray suitable chemicals, in consultations with the agriculture extension officials, within 24-48 hours after their emergence.
They finished on the advice that in case of crop sown through drill or planter, the farmers should use tractors for hoeing in order to remove the weeds, and put the soil around the trunk of every plant after the last hoeing.
