Different types of weeds grow on coffee estates and they compete with coffee plants for moisture and mineral nutrients. If the weeds are allowed to grow during the post-monsoon period, they use the soil moisture which coffee plants need during the following dry season. Free growth of weeds reduces the yield of coffee plants as well as their growth. Therefore, it is very important to control the weeds in the field. In young plantations, weeds are the major problem during the initial years. In new clearings, weeds should be removed by slash weeding at least 3-4 times in a year; while in established fields, this operation has to be carried out 2-3 times. All the weed trimmings should be spread in the field for bio-degradation. Flowering weeds should be removed before they flower and set seed. After the monsoon, clean weeding should be done in the entire estate.
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