Herbicides come with many advantages over other methods of weed control because there are so many different ways that they can be used. Here are some advantages that highlight the importance of herbicides:
Herbicides can be applied before the weeds grow
Unlike other methods of weed control, it is possible to apply herbicides in the pre-plant and pre-emergence stages. This lets the crops grow in a weed-free environment without competing for nutrients even in the early stages of development.
Herbicides can be effectively used in different crop arrangements
While mechanical forms of weed control can be effective in some cases, when it comes to broadcast sown and narrow-spaced crops, they cannot reach all the weeds present in the field which herbicides can easily do. Herbicides can also effectively reach intra-row weeds.
Herbicides can get rid of deep-rooted weeds
Weeds that have roots deep into the soil cannot always be effectively removed with mechanical methods as while the top part may be removed, the weeds can grow back from the roots. For these, a combination of mechanical and chemical herbicides might be necessary for effective weed control.
Herbicides prevent weeds from growing for a long time
When herbicides are applied, they tend to be effective for long periods of time and prevent the weeds from growing back soon.
Herbicides can get rid of structurally similar weeds
Weeds that appear similar to the crops can be missed out when they are removed through mechanical methods as it is hard to distinguish between the two. However, herbicides can be applied to kill these weeds that may look the same but be biologically different without causing any damage to the crops.
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