Wheat Production as Affected by Weed Diversity and Other Crop Management Practices in Ethiopia

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Wheat is one of staple and major food security crops which can be cultivated from small to large scale farms in Ethiopia. Therefore, the aim is to determine influence of weed and other abiotic stresses on wheat production under rain fed and irrigated areas. It was rich sources of different nutrients which contain higher percentage of starch followed by protein and other types of nutrients. Traditionally, the crop is used for making bread, Dabokolo, porridge, Kinche and other types of foods. The straw is good source for animal feed and also used for thatching roofs in rural areas. Wheat production was limited due to various biotic and abiotic factors. Many varieties of wheat were released by agricultural research institute in Ethiopia that were suited for different soil types and climatic conditions. The crop competes with weeds for various growth resources like nutrient, light, Carbon dioxide, space, moisture etc. during its growth. The competition can be intra and inter specific completion. Planting densities can determine plant population in the field. Planting fewer seeds below the recommendation in the plots may exert severe competition of weeds but planting of higher seed rates created problem of lodging, disease infestation and rat damage. Increased plant density per unit area achieved by higher seed rates probably caused smothering of weeds and consequently reduced their dry matter. Weed competition is most serious when the crop is young and at active growth stage. Weed losses in wheat may occur from initial stages to the last stage of maturity, harvest, threshing, winnowing and storing of wheat grains. Weeds can be controlled by different methods but chemical weed control in wheat was best in producing higher grain yield than hand weeding. A wide variety of herbicides are available for both annual grassy and broadleaf weed control in wheat. Application of grassy and broad leaf herbicides increased grain yield and yield components of wheat. Several investigations were made for the management of weeds in wheat fields. Studies on annual weeds control in wheat was done by many researchers in Ethiopia as well as outside the country but still there is yield gaps. Therefore , further study on weed management in wheat will be needed for various weed flora throughout the country.