Assistant director agriculture information, Naveed Asmat Kahlon told media persons on Thursday that Pakistan produced 19.4 million wheat last year when average per acre yield was witnessed at 31.14 Maunds.
However, this year the production target was increased up to 19.5 million ton and average per acre wheat up to 31.66 Maunds.
Farmers can significantly reduce wastage of agriculture implements by simply tackling the weeds which reduce the crop production by 42 percent and thus maintains its position on top of the list of factors that reduce wheat production, Kahlon said.
According to an assessment, weeds consume 31 to 56 ml water per day and their removal from the field can save this water for wheat crop.
Weeds also consume fertilizers, and according to an assessment, they utilize 52 kilogram of Nitrogen, 12 kg of Phosphorous, and 52 kg of potassium from a hectare of wheat field.
Sometimes, weeds start damaging the crop and consume implements even before the plants germination. And, when plants bud out of the soil, the weeds block the access of sunlight to them and thus hurt growth by blocking food formation process in plants scientifically called photosynthesis.
Kahlon said that farmers must tackle the weeds problem at the earliest to avoid wastage of agriculture implements including water and fertilizers, and plug chances of pest infestation. A simple initiative of weeds removal would not only reduce their cost but also increase production.