Ludhiana, June 12 -- The floods that hit Punjab in 2023 and again in 2025 have left behind an unexpected challenge for farmers. Scientists at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) have found that floodwaters have altered the weed landscape in several districts, leading to the emergence of new weed species and changes in existing weed populations.

A recent survey conducted by PAU in flood-affected districts, including Hoshiarpur, Gurdaspur, Pathankot, Rupnagar (Ropar), Amritsar and Patiala, revealed the presence of weed species that had not previously been reported in these areas. Researchers say the findings highlight the hidden ecological impacts of extreme weather events and the need for close monitoring of agricultural fields.

Among t...