<div>Background: Understanding the sociological structure of weeds in crop fields is a pre-requisite for effective management. Identification and quantification of weed species found in different crops are possible to provide strategies for weed control. The exploration studies of weeds in agro-ecosystems are meager in Telangana, so that the present study has initiated to explore the weeds and educate the local farmers about the impact of agrestals and it will be of immense helpful to control the loss of crop productivity first of its kind in the region. 
 
Methods: The inventory of agrestals was carried out in 33 districts of Telangana State during 2016-2020 in two growing seasons (kharif, rabi) and it is an overview in agro-ecosystems.&nbsp; 
 
Result: The study focuses on the documentation of weed taxa in agricultural fields and recorded ca. 249 plant taxa pertaining to 150 genera and 47 families. Cyperaceae is the predominant family with 38 plant species followed by Poaceae (33 spp.), Asteraceae (20 spp.), Euphorbiaceae (17 spp.), Amaranthaceae (16 spp.). Echinochloa crus-galli is the dominant taxon in paddy crop with its mimic, where Cyperus rotundus is a serious competitor in many cultivated crops. The present study is very climacteric for farmers, agronomists and plant breeders for cognizance, to know the intensity of weeds impact and management skills.</div>

Inventory of Agrestals in Telangana, India: Their Impact and Management

Sedges, resilient weeds from the Cyperaceae family, pose a significant threat to direct-seeded rice cultivation due to their perennial nature and robust propagules, which endure harsh conditions. Their emergence, growth and seed production during fallow periods contribute significantly to seed banks, making their management challenging compared to other weed types. Water levels in paddy fields dictate weed composition, favouring sedges and grasses under saturated conditions but shifting to grass weeds during cropping seasons, influenced by factors like soil conditions and rainfall. Managing sedges requires a multifaceted approach due to their perennial hydrophilic and pro-alkaline nature with extensive propagules. Sedges possessing strong root system with morphological similarities necessitate continuous weed control throughout the cropping season during the critical period ranging from 15 to 60 days after sowing for wet and dry direct-seeded rice. Effective weed management practices proved crucial for minimizing yield losses caused by infestation of Cyperus difformis, Fimbristylis miliacea and Schoenoplectus juncoides by many researchers. Various methods, including cultural practices like stale seedbeds, physical methods like summer tillage, biological approaches such as integrating poultry and chemical interventions like herbicide application, are utilized for sedge management in rice fields. Higher efficacy of ethoxysulfuron for management of majority of sedge weeds in rice has been reported by many workers. However, relying on a single strategy is insufficient to keep sedge populations below the threshold, necessitating a comprehensive and adaptable approach to weed control in rice cultivation.

Ecology and Management of Sedges in Direct-seeded Rice: A Review

<div>Background: Pokkali is a versatile rice- fish system of cultivation, producing naturally organic rice along the waterlogged coastal regions of Kerala. The weed flora of Pokkali rice fields is different from other rice ecosystems. Diverse weed flora appears in low saline phase, when rice is cultivated, but they dry up and decompose in high saline phase. With time, significant deviations have been reported in various climatic parameters and as a result, the weed spectrum has also undergone changes.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: Two level stratified surveys and anotomical studies were conducted during Kharif 2017 and 2018 to study the weed flora in five major Pokkali growing blocks of Kerala. Two panchayaths (political village units) from each block and two padasekharams (group farming units) in each panchayath were selected for surveying. To understand the adaptive mechanism of weeds in saline soil condition, anatomical studies were performed on individual weed species. 
 
Result: Cyperaceae family dominated in the ecosystem with more number of species. Diplachne fusca and Eleocharis dulcis were the major weeds. Echinochloa crus-galli, a dominant weed reported in earlier weed survey was found confined to very few locations and the frequency got reduced from 80% to 12.5%. In addition, Sphenoclea zeylanica was observed as an emerging weed with notable morphological adaptations. Floating ferns like Najas graminea and Hydrilla verticillata caused problems to aeration in the water in fields.</div>

Inventory of Agrestals in Telangana, India: Their Impact and Management

Ecology and Management of Sedges in Direct-seeded Rice: A Review

Weed Dynamics in Acid Saline Pokkali Ecosystem of Kerala