Muhammad Nawaz Sharif University of Agriculture Multan

Assignment #2

Fazal ur Rehman
B.Sc. Agriculture
2020-uam-410
Agro-402
Topic:
Do you think weeds are always dangerous in all
systems? Do they benefit the ecosystem too? Elobrate
comprehensively with examples.
Submitted to:
Dr. Khuram Mubeen
.
It’s impossible to claim whether weeds are all safe or all dangerous. Some weeds pose no threat,
some can be quite harmful, but most sit somewhere in-between. The danger of weeds to humans can
vary hugely threat. But some weeds are also beneficial to the ecosystem .

Here I am going to elaborate the beneficial weeds.

Benefits Of Weeds

Want to learn more about the effects of weeds and the benefits of weeds in the garden? Click through
to learn all about it.

Weeds don’t always spell trouble for your garden. Sure, most of them get a bad rap for being aggressive
plant species that compete for resources with your main crops.

However, certain species can help your garden become more productive and lush. Some weeds do a
good job of helping you maintain your garden. Here are some benefits weeds can bring to your yard:

They Can Protect the Soil

One of the most annoying qualities of weeds is that they grow quickly. But it is exactly this characteristic
that can make it beneficial for your garden. They can serve as a living mulch to protect your garden’s soil
Their roots can also help prevent wind and rain-induced erosion.

Weeds Can Nourish the Soil

Weeds are notorious for sucking up nutrients from the soil and distributing them to their leaves.
However, when these weeds die and he leaves fall back to the ground, the nutrients are delivered back
to the topsoil.

Furthermore, the presence of certain garden weeds indicates a need for certain soil nutrients so you
may want to add soil amendments when necessary.

They Condition the Soil

Weeds can help you create a no-till garden. When they die back, their roots aerate the soil while also
creating small tunnels that earthworms can bore through.

Weeds Can Attract Beneficial Insects

Most weeds have a short lifespan which means they have to produce flowers to ensure the survival of
the next generation. These bright flowers are filled with sweet nectar that attracts pollinators.

Types Of Weeds And Effects Of Weeds

Dandelion
Dandelion is one of the quickest weeds to spread with each flower head scattering at least a hundred
seeds when a strong enough wind blows. This plant is a nutrient accumulator meaning its deep-seated
roots can collect minerals like potassium, phosphorus, calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, and silicon.
These same roots also loosen densely packed soil. What’s more, they also attract beneficial insects
including ladybugs, wasps, and lacewings.

Chickweed

Chickweed can tell you when your soil needs help If you have chickweeds growing in your garden, it
could be a sign that your soil lacks calcium or phosphorus or there is an overabundance of potassium or
sodium in it. They also show up in disturbed soil, highly-tilled areas, and soil that indicates low fertility.P

Apart from signaling nutrient deficiencies or excess in your yard, chickweed can also be eaten or used as
medicine.

Broadleaf Plantain
Broad Leaf Plantain is great for helping with bug bite pain

Broad leaf plantains commonly grow in compacted soil. They can accumulate calcium, sulfur,
magnesium, manganese, iron, and silicon. These can also be used as medicine to help reduce the pain
and itching caused by bug bites.

White Clover

White Clover is great at attracting pollinators among other things

When discussing the effects of weeds we can’t forget this one. White Clover often show up in
nitrogen-lacking, hardpan clay soil. It can transfer airborne nitrogen into the soil which can be
used by your main crops while also accumulating the mineral phosphorus.

It also attracts ladybugs and other pollinators looking for nectar. These have edible flowers you
can add to a salad.

Yarrow
Yarrow can attract the ‘good insects” to your garden Yarrow is great for soil improvement since
its deep roots accumulate potassium, phosphorus, and copper from the subsoil. It can also
serve as a compost activator which speeds up decomposition. It can be used as a living mulch in
dry areas or as a cover crop that can help fertilize the soil and improve fruit production.

It also attracts bees and other bugs such as lacewings, wasps, ground beetles, spiders, ladybugs,
and hoverflies. Meanwhile, its pungent scent makes it a great pest repellant.

Stinging Nettle

Stinging Nettle can help your soil retain moisture Stinging Nettles are ideal companion plants
that can attract beneficial insects while repelling pests. It is also great at fertilizing the soil and
keeping it moist. What’s more, it can be served as food, medicine, and as herbal ingredients for
human consumption.

Bathu

Bathu leaves and leaves are very nutritious. They are non-toxic and consumed all across the
world for centuries. Like any other leafy vegetable they offer innumerable health benefits.
That’s why they are also used as a vegetable in Pakistan.
Weeds can provide nutrients and contribute to the needs of some livestock.Proper weed ID is
essential to ensure weeds are not toxic to livestock. Weeds may also have antiquality traits,
including plant chemicals, thorns, or plant hairs that affect palatability.

Nitrates can accumulate in drought stressed weeds. Forages suspected of being high in nitrates
should be tested before feeding . Before feeding forages containing weeds, test to determine
nutritive value to allow adjustment of the ration. Weedy forage should be introduced slowly to
livestock rations to allow for livestock to adjust to the change in diet.

Links:

(https://blog-crop-news.extension.umn.edu/2021/07/feeding-weedy-
forages.html?m=1#:~:text=Weeds%20can%20provide%20nutrients
%20and,accumulate%20in%20drought%20stressed%20weeds. )

(https://dianfarmer.com/benefits-and-effects-of-weeds-in-your-garden/
#:~:text=Beneficial%20weeds%20accomplish%20several%20things,crops
%20can%20take%20advantage%20of .)

(https://www.weedingtech.com/blog/are-all-weeds-dangerous/)