What do you mean by weeding? Why the process of weeding necessary? Name the methods applied for weeding.

The undesirable plants that grow among the crops are called weeds. The process of removing these weeds is known as weeding. Weeds compete with the crop plants for nutrients and space. They grow much rapidly than the crop plant. So weeding is necessary.

Methods applied for weeding are as follows:

(i) Manual method: Manual method of removing weeds is the most time consuming method. In this system weeds are controlled by hand pulling, digging, shallow tillage, etc., by using certain implements like khurpi, hoe, etc.

(ii) Chemical method: In this method chemicals called, weedicides are used to remove weeds. For example, metachlor and 2, 4-D.

(iii) Biological control method: This method is the most commonly used method of weed control. It involves the use of some specific insects that destroy the growth of some specific weeds. For example, leafy spurge, a weed, is controlled by using flea beetles.