Archives of Current Research International

Pulses are an essential component of global food and nutritional security, particularly in developing countries including India, where they serve as a primary source of plant-based protein and contribute to sustainable agriculture through biological nitrogen fixation. Despite significant progress in pulse production, productivity remains constrained by various abiotic and biotic stresses, among which weed infestation is the most severe, causing yield losses ranging from 30 to 80%. The slow initial growth and weak competitive ability of pulse crops make them highly susceptible to early-season weed interference, emphasising the importance of timely and effective weed management. This review provides a comprehensive synthesis of weed flora diversity, weed-induced yield losses, and the critical period of crop–weed competition in major pulse crops. It further examines various weed management strategies, including preventive, cultural, mechanical, chemical, and biological approaches within the framework of Integrated Weed Management (IWM) and artificial intelligence (AI)-based technologies. Preventive measures such as clean seed use and field sanitation, along with cultural practices like optimum sowing time, crop rotation, and mulching, play a crucial role in reducing weed pressure. Chemical control, though effective, requires judicious use to prevent herbicide resistance and environmental concerns. Recent advances highlight the potential of artificial intelligence (AI)-based technologies, including computer vision, precision spraying, and robotic weed control, to enhance weed management efficiency while minimising herbicide use. However, limitations such as narrow herbicide spectrum, resistance development, and adoption constraints persist. The integration of traditional agronomic practices with emerging AI-driven tools offers a promising pathway for sustainable and precise weed management in pulse-based cropping systems.