Published online by Cambridge University Press: 12 June 2017
The overall objective of research at ICRISAT (International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics) is to develop effective, economically feasible, improved weed-management systems for major crops and cropping systems of the Semi-Arid Tropics (SAT). Initially, emphasis has been on surveys, ecological studies, weed management in crops, and herbicide screening. The aim was to identify possible cultural, mechanical, biological, and chemical inputs, and to determine their relative feasibility for small farmers. Systems research has involved manipulation of cropping systems to obtain better weed management and identification of the most effective techniques. Herbicide-related studies are designed to increase productivity rather than reduce the cost of hand weeding. Research on individual crops has been aimed at determining the extent of crop-weed competition in major crops. In collaboration with economists, operations research in farmers' fields was initiated to observe the success of farmers' weed-control methods. The primary program emphasis will be the evaluation of weed-management principles that may have wide applicability throughout the SAT. This paper outlines the approaches to weed-management research at ICRISAT and gives a conceptual framework of future research needs.