WEEDS

Agricultural Science
MC1 (Grade 7)
May, 2023.
At the end of the lesson, you should be able to;
1. Define weeds.
2. Identify various types of weeds.
3. State the characteristics of weeds.
4. Mention economic importance of weeds.
01
Weeds-

Meaning
 The parts of a crop plant include
● Roots
● Stems
● Leaf
● Flowers
● Seeds
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Meaning of weeds
A weed is an uncultivated plant
growing where it is not wanted.
Weeds grow anywhere without
being taken care of.
Weeds, when not properly
controlled, compete with crop
plants for soil nutrients and water.
Functions of seeds
1. They are used for propagation.
2. Some seeds serve as food.
 Characteristics of weeds
1. Weeds are very difficult to eradicate.
2. They grow fast and spread very quickly.
3. They can easily regenerate since they have
parts hidden below the soil.
4. They possess hooks, spikes and wings
which enable them to be easily dispersed
and propagated.
5. They also produce numerous light seeds
which can be easily dispersed by humans,
animals, wind and water.
6. They can withstand adverse climatic
conditions by means of structures such as
stolons and rhizomes.
Benefits or uses of weeds
1. Some weeds are used as feed for
livestock.
2. The decomposition of weeds adds
organic matter to the soil.
3. Some weeds control erosion. E.g.
carpet grass, bahama grass, etc.
4. Some weeds are medicinal e.g. Siam
weed, Euphorbia hirta. Lemon grass is
also a weed which is used in trating
malaria.
5. Some weeds are eaten by man. E.g.
Water leaf (Talinum triangulare) and
Disadvantages of weeds
1. Weeds reduce the quality of farm produce
2. They compete with cultivated crops for
survival
3. Some weeds are poisonous and can cause
death if eaten
4. Weeds harbour pests and disease organisms.
5. It increases the cost of production and wastes
farmer’s money.
ACTIVITY
Class Work

01 02 03
What are weeds? Mention any three FIELD WORK
weeds you know.
Home Work
1
State five uses of weeds.

2
State five reasons weeds
should be
controlled.

Classes of weeds

Pick some weeds in your environment and

bring them for identification.
Study always