A survey of the diversity of harmful weeds and their vegetative density spread in some agricultural district within dry environment - Anbar Governorate

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 University of Anbar / Center for Desert Studies

2 Desert Studies Center - University of Anbar -Iraq

Abstract
The aim of this research is to study the characteristics of the vegetation cover of the bush and to identify the most common and widespread weeds associated with the fields of agricultural districts Due to the lack of environmental studies for the previously selected area, The study was conducted from April 2023 to the end of May 2024,The study found that the dominant weeds in agricultural fields were identified as 39 species out of 20 families in agricultural fields, 25 of which were annual plants (62.5%), 12 perennial plants (23.5%) and 2 biennial plants (5%). The dominant weed species in the counties included the following families: Poaceae, Compositae, Solanaceae. The number of weed plant species in the area was 9, 8 and 3, respectively, All plant species and their numbers that appeared in the square were recorded and the vegetation cover characteristics (density, frequency, abundance and coverage) were calculated for each plant species in the square. The results showed that the highest density was 7.06 plants m-2 Raphanus raphanistrum L. It was followed by Xanthium strumarium with 6.10 plants m-2, while the frequency ranged from 22 to 1.3 for Imperata cylindrica L. and Vaccaria pyramidata, respectively. The abundance ranged from 8.0 to 0.8 for Chenopodium album L. and Polygonum aviculare L., respectively. The highest coverage value was 5.20 for Chenopodium album L. and the lowest for Melilotus indicus L. with 0.05 plants m-2. The spread of these plants can pose a serious challenge to crop production if not adequately controlled. Each agricultural district should adopt appropriate weeding plans and strengthen weed control according to local conditions, especially the characteristics of the weed distribution area.

Keywords

Subjects
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