Review Article
Hussein F. Abouziena, Wafaa M.
Abstract
Weed management is an important component in fruit crop production. The current review is (1) a meta analyses of the literature on the yield losses of fruit crops by weeds, (2) it comprises the databases of weed species and density, the period of weed competition, safe weed management in the fruit crops in terms of adverse effects of weeds on the soil, growth, nutrient statutes and productivity of fruit trees, advantages and disadvantages of weed control measures, and (3) it excluded the cover crops, biological weed control, natural herbicides and non-traditional weed control methods as well as small fruit crops such as blueberry, blackberries, raspberries and strawberry. The ranges of yield losses in fruit cropsdue to weeds observed from the literature were varied widely from 23.7% to 82% and in some instances of weed infestation;there wasno production of fruits with commercial value obtained. The yield lossdepends on weed speciesand its densityand fruit crop species.So, weed management in fruit crops is necessary to prevent or reduce yield losses and the search for more effective and environmentally friendly approaches forweed control will be needed. Acombined approach could result in an effective weed control technology.