Herbicides are a type of pesticide used to control weeds so that crops can flourish. Weeds are the most significant pests for most agricultural crops because they aggressively compete for vital nutrients, space, water and sunlight. Herbicides have been used widely in Indian farming to control weeds, allowing farmers to harvest more crops, safely and efficiently.
Plant Science has used biotechnology to develop herbicide-tolerant crops. With herbicide-tolerant crops, farmers can use herbicides to control weeds without harming their crop. This means the crop is protected without farmers having to plough the fields, which leaves nutrients and water in the soil, increases soil fertility and reduces soil erosion.
In urban settings, herbicides help control weeds that could otherwise destroy lawns, gardens, parks and sports fields. Along with other pesticide, herbicides help keep our green spaces safe for sports and they play an important safety role in industrial settings.