Weeding

Weeding 

the removal of undesirable plants from cultivated fields and forests. Weeds can be destroyed mechanically, chemically, and manually. Mechanical weeding is done by cultivators that undercut the weeds growing between row crops and in orchards and vineyards. Harrows are used before and after the shoots emerge; their teeth pull out the weeds and destroy them. Chemical weeding involves the use of herbicides. Weeds are removed manually on seed-raising plots and on small plots planted with valuable crops. Manual weeding is used to some extent in drill rows and hills of row crops. Weeding is done in the earliest phase of weed growth. Any delay greatly inhibits crop growth and causes a sharp decrease in yield. Weeding may also be used to remove cultivated plants of undesirable species or varieties.