Weed Control in Nigeria

Abstract

Chemical weed control is playing an increasing role in Nigerian agriculture due to the increasing cost and widespread unavailability of the labour required to carry out traditional practices. Nigeria's drive towards increased food production must involve a systematic approach to weed control based on a good understanding of weed biology and ecology. The objectives of such an approach must be the development of effective control methods which are efficient in the use of available resources and within the reach of the farmers. This paper reviews the major weed problems, the status of weed science research, and some constraints to herbicide use in Nigeria.