Weed Ecology and Biology in Pakistan: Implications for Sustainable Crop Management

Abstract

Weeds remain one of the most persistent biological constraints to crop productivity worldwide, with yield losses of 30–40% attributed to weed competition. This study examines the ecology and biology of dominant weed species in Pakistan’s major cropping systems, linking ecological dynamics with farmer management practices. A mixed-method design combined a cross-sectional survey of 300 farmers across Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with field-level ecological observations from 120 quadrats. Results show that Phalaris minor, Chenopodium album, and Cyperus rotundus are the most dominant species, exhibiting traits such as prolific seed production, persistent seed banks, and vegetative propagation. Wheat systems recorded the lowest weed diversity, reflecting monoculture-driven species dominance. Regression analysis demonstrated that farmer education and extension exposure were significant predictors of integrated weed management (IWM) adoption (p<0.05), while age was not significant. These findings confirm that weed problems in Pakistan are shaped by both ecological resilience of weed species and farmer knowledge gaps. The study concludes that sustainable solutions require diversification of cropping systems, strengthened farmer education, adoption of IWM, and integration of digital monitoring tools. Policy recommendations emphasize aligning ecological research with extension services to reduce yield losses and improve resilience in Pakistan’s agricultural systems.