REVIEW ON WEED MANAGEMENT PRACTICES IN WHEAT (Triticum spp.)

Wheat (Triticum spp.) is a cereal grain, originally from the Levant region of the Near East but now cultivated worldwide. It is in the kingdom Plantae and family poaceae. Ethiopia is one of the largest recipients of food aid in Africa. Achieving the desired wheat production is difficult due to many production constraints such as weed infestation. Weed infestation is one of the major biotic constraints in wheat production. Wheat is infested with diverse type of weed flora, which can be grassy and broadleaf, as it is grown under diverse agro climatic conditions, different cropping sequence and tillage and irrigation regimes. The yield losses due to weeds vary depending on the weed species, their density and environmental factors. The yield loss due to weed infestation can be reduced by using different weed management practices such as cultural, mechanical, biological and chemical weed control methods. The objective of this seminar paper is to review recent research finding on weed management practices in wheat. To feed the growing population there is a need to increase the wheat production without much dependence on chemicals like fertilizers and herbicides which have unpredictable harmful effects on environment and human health. There is a need to improve weed management techniques for better crop production. Improved herbicide formulations with low or no toxicity except for the target weeds seems to be the demand of near future in agricultural sector.