"Weeds are causing on average 45 percent loss in per acre yield of different crops as compared to 30 percent loss pests and 20 percent loss caused by different diseases". This was stated by a spokesman of the provincial Agriculture department here on Tuesday. He said that weeds are more threatening to the profitability of the farmers as compared to any other factor.

As per a research conducted by the Ayub Agriculture Research Institute, weeds cause 18 to 30 percent loss to per acre yield of wheat, 3 to 41 percent in cotton, 17 to 39 percent in paddy, 25 to 55 percent in lentils, 21 to 45 percent in oilseed and 39 to 89 percent loss in per acre yield of vegetable.

The spokesman said that weeds also cause loss of precious agricultural resources including water, food, light and land. He said that weeds suck water rapidly as compared to crops, so the growers should ensure eradication of weeds to increase their per acre yield.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2019