Pea Field Weed Control Challenge Quiz

Assess your understanding of effective weed management strategies in pea cultivation with a focus on cultural, mechanical, and chemical techniques. Explore common weeds, timing, and integrated practices for maximizing yield and crop health.

1. Critical Period of Weed Control in Pea

   During which crop stage is weed control most crucial for preventing significant yield loss in a pea field?

   1. Seed storage period
   2. First 30-45 days after sowing
   3. Harvest time
   4. Late flowering stage

   Explanation: Weeds compete most aggressively with pea plants during the first 30-45 days after sowing when the crop is establishing. Weed control at late flowering or harvest is too late to prevent major yield loss. The seed storage period is unrelated to field weed management.

2. Identification of Common Weeds in Pea Fields

   Which weed is commonly found infesting pea crops in temperate regions?

   1. Chenopodium album (lambsquarters)
   2. Water hyacinth
   3. Parthenium hysterophorus
   4. Striga hermonthica

   Explanation: Chenopodium album is a widespread annual broadleaf weed commonly found in pea fields. Striga hermonthica primarily targets cereals, water hyacinth is an aquatic weed, and Parthenium is less common in temperate pea-growing zones.

3. Cultural Approach for Weed Management

   What is a recommended cultural method to suppress weed growth in a pea field?

   1. Application of insecticides
   2. Frequent over-irrigation
   3. Narrow row spacing
   4. Delayed sowing

   Explanation: Using narrow row spacing encourages rapid pea canopy closure, shading out weeds. Over-irrigation can actually promote weeds, delayed sowing may increase weed competitiveness, and insecticides target pests but not weeds.

4. Chemical Weed Control in Peas

   Which type of herbicide is usually most effective for managing annual grasses in pea crops?

   1. Post-emergence selective herbicide
   2. Non-selective systemic herbicide
   3. Pre-emergence broadleaf herbicide
   4. Fungicide

   Explanation: Post-emergence selective herbicides target specific weed types like annual grasses without harming the pea crop. Non-selective herbicides kill all plants, including peas; fungicides act against fungal diseases, and pre-emergence broadleaf herbicides mainly control broadleaf weeds, not grasses.

5. Integrated Weed Management Concept

   What does Integrated Weed Management (IWM) in pea cultivation involve?

   1. Increasing fertilizer rates to outgrow weeds
   2. Using only hand weeding
   3. Combining cultural, mechanical, and chemical methods
   4. Relying solely on herbicides every year

   Explanation: IWM incorporates multiple approaches—cultural, mechanical, and chemical—for sustainable weed control. Solely using hand weeding is labor-intensive and not always effective, high fertilizer rates may worsen weed problems, and depending only on herbicides can lead to resistance.