Now a days due to labour shortage many farmers are using Herbicides regularly.Herbicides are a category of pesticide used to control weeds in agriculture and commercial forests, on managed landscapes, byways, gardens, and lawns, and directly on surface waters to control aquatic weeds. They are designed to kill “target” plant species considered undesirable in any of those circumstances. Herbicide use has exploded in the past two decades, in large part due to the advent of the agro-biotech industry’s deployment of genetically modified, herbicide tolerant crop seeds that pair with herbicide use.

It mainly effects on Soil Microbes 

                               Plant Growth 

                               Soil Quality

                               Essential Nutrients

• Soil microbes

Herbicides are high toxic chemicals which effects on the microbial communities which helps in the nutrient cycling and others.Herbicides being biologically active compounds, an unintended consequence of the application of herbicides is that it may lead to significant changes in the populations of microorganisms and their activities thereby influencing the microbial ecological balance in the soil and affecting the productivity of soils.

•  Plant growth

Herbicides can be especially damaging to crops when used at concentrations above the recommended level.Herbicides can decrease plant growth, condition, and reproduction.Herbicides can cause biochemical and physiological damage, such as oxidative stress.Herbicides can reduce reproduction in plants, especially when sprayed during reproductive periods.Herbicides can negatively affect symbiotic processes, such as nodulation and mycorrhization.

•  Soil quality

Continuous use of herbicides can harm soil quality and quality. Some herbicides can reduce soil organic matter content, which can negatively impact soil fertility and structure over time.

How to reduce and control ?

• By choosing the right herbicide which can target only the specific weed and will have minimal impact on the soil environment.
• By the crop rotation it can reduce buildup of herbicide residues in the soil and minimize the development of herbicide resistant weeds.
• Technology have been improving day by day farmers need to adapt new technologies like using weeders,brushcutter and mowers.By using these machineries it can help in reducing the use of herbicides.