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Why must weeds be controlled in young sugarcane fields?
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Sugarcane
Field of sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) in St. George Parish, Barbados.
In young sugarcane fields, it is essential to control weeds because they compete with the developing crop for resources. This management must continue until the cane stools grow sufficiently to form a dense canopy, which naturally shades the ground and checks further weed growth.1
To ensure a successful harvest, growers typically manage weeds through manual hoeing, mechanical weeders, or the application of chemical herbicides.1