Vol. 12, Special Issue 9 (2023)

Author(s):
Bhargavi K, Naseeruddin R, Yasmin C, Lakshman K and Laxman Rao P

Abstract:
Millets are popular staple foods throughout Asia and Africa's semi-arid tropics. A shortfall of production and vulnerability to abiotic and biotic conditions are the primary causes of dropping millet area and productivity in India. Millets have recently been accepted as Nutri-cereals and national and international policies have offered much-needed assistance for their growth. Millets are mostly grown in rainfed and undernourished soils, resulting in them being susceptible to weed competition losses. The weed flora causes a significant reduction in millet yields of 15-97%. Weed control is vital throughout the critical period of crop-weed competition, to enhance crop productivity in semi-arid regions of India. A comprehensive analysis was done to review the suitable weed management options for millet crops under resource-poor conditions. To increase the productivity of millets relying on any single weed management technique is not a strategic option. To avoid economic loss, a combination of cultural, physical and chemical weed management strategies may successfully solve the difficulties of weed shift and resistance development in weeds, reduce the weed seed bank and control the weeds below the economic threshold level.