Weeds are a serious limitation to legume crop productivity worldwide. This review brings together Indian and international literature on weed flora, critical period of weed competition (CPWC), cultural, mechanical, chemical, biological and integrated weed management (IWM) strategies in legume crops, with special emphasis on the impact on rhizobial nodulation and biological nitrogen fixation (BNF), herbicide resistance, bioherbicides, climate change interactions, emerging herbicide-tolerant cultivars and precision agriculture technologies. Yield losses have been reported to be as high as 25% in short-duration Indian legume crops, 85% in Mediterranean chickpeas and as high as 91% in North American row crops under season-long weed competition. The review incorporates substantial evidence from Indian Journal of Agronomy, Indian Journal of Weed Science and Journal of Food Legumes, together with international literature from Australia, Canada, the USA, Brazil, the Mediterranean region and Africa. Herbicide options are evaluated for effectiveness, timing, crop safety and nodulation effects and dedicated sections on herbicide resistance and weed-flora change, bioherbicides, climate change effects on weed behaviour and herbicide effectiveness, herbicide-tolerant cultivar development and precision technologies, with clear knowledge gaps and future research priorities. Integrated weed management (IWM) that integrates cultural, chemical, biological and precision technologies stands out as the most sustainable approach to protect legume yield and nitrogen fixation under new climatic conditions. 
&nbsp;

Weed Management in Legume Crops-Current Advances, Challenges and Future Perspectives: A Review

Background: This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of Leucaena leucocephala and Carica papaya leaf extracts as bioherbicides for controlling weeds and enhancing the growth and yield of Japanese cucumber (Cucumis sativus L. var. Japanese) across different extract types and concentrations. 
 
Methods: A randomized complete block design (RCBD) experiment consisting of six treatment groups and one control group was used for a single factor. The experiment was replicated three times and resulted in a total of 21 experimental plots. The treatment groups included the control group as well as extract concentrations of 30%, 45% and 60% obtained from young leaf material of Leucaena leucocephala and mature green leaf material of Carica papaya. The dominant weed species found throughout the cucumber plots and the subject of the weeding treatment groups was Cyperus rotundus. Treatment for weeds in the plots was provided via sprays that were applied to weeds prior to their early vegetative stage. Sprays continued until the total amount of spray volume was 216 mL per plot or until the surface of the soil was uniformly moistened. Care was taken while spraying to prevent direct contact between the extracts and the cucumber plant by directing the sprays toward the weed canopy and the soil surface. Data collection and statistical analysis of data were completed using DMRT at a 95% confidence interval. This study was conducted from March through May of 2025 in Sleman, Indonesia. 
 
Result: The application of 45% leaf extract demonstrated the most effective weed control and promoted optimal growth of Japanese cucumbers, resulting in a yield of approximately 28.36 tons per hectare during the study. Weeds began to emerge at 7 days after planting (DAP). Spraying was conducted at 14 DAP, when weeds were already present and no synthetic herbicides were applied during the experiment. These findings highlight the potential of Leucaena leucocephala and Carica papaya leaf extracts as effective, eco-friendly bioherbicides that suppress weed interference without compromising crop performance. Their ease of preparation and availability as agricultural by-products offer a sustainable weed-management alternative for farmers and further research across diverse conditions and cropping systems is recommended to expand their practical application.

Allelopathic Effects of Leucaena leucocephala and Carica papaya Leaf Extracts on Weed Suppression and Yield of Japanese Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.)