Abstract
An investigative weed flora survey was conducted in parthenium-infested maize fields in West Gojjam Zone in 2019/2020. The objective was to investigate the distribution and impact of parthenium on species diversity. A survey was conducted on 90 fields using 2 m × 2 m (4 m2) quadrats (totally 270). A total of 110 weed species belonging to 27 families were identified out of these families. Asteraceae with 26 species (23.36%) and Poaceae with 18 species (16.36%) were abundant. The highest importance value (IV) was recorded by Ageratum conyzoides, Amaranthus hybridus, and Bidens pilosa, with 28.05, 19.18, and 13.16%, respectively, in no parthenium infestation level. The highest IV of 27.08, 17.71, and 16.44%, respectively, was shown by Ageratum conyzoides, Bidens pilosa, and Galinsoga parviflora with 27.08, 17.71, and 16.44%, respectively, in very low parthenium infestation level. Ageratum conyzoides (29.38%), Bidens pilosa (24.10%), and Parthenium hysterophorus (22.68%) had the highest IV in low parthenium infestation level. Parthenium hysterophorus (91.32%), Ageratum conyzoides (17.19%), and Echinochloa colona (16.34%) had high IV in moderate parthenium infestation level. It is concluded that Ageratum conyzoides, Bidens pilosa, Echinochloa colona, and Galinsoga parviflora were competitive over parthenium based on importance value, and this indicates to suggest parthenium as a biological management option.
Highlights
Parthenium (Parthenium hysterophorus L.) is native to regions across the Gulf of Mexico and has spread to more than 40 countries across five continents [1,2,3]
The highest importance value of 27.08% was for A. conyzoides followed by B. pilosa and G. parviflora with 17.71 and 16.44%, respectively, and the lowest was found for B. eruciformis with 0.48% in very low parthenium infestation level (VLPIL). e results of this study revealed that A. conyzoides (29.38%), B. pilosa (24.10%), and P. hysterophorus, (22.68%) had the highest importance value and the least was recorded by Commelina albescena (0.62%) in low parthenium infestation level (LPIL)
The present study showed that there was a sharp decline in the diversity index as parthenium density increased. is result validates the results of Kohli et al [33] that the Shannon index showed great plant diversity in the uninfested region, while in the parthenium-infested areas, the index was reduced by 9.95 to 33.80%. e higher value of the diversity index shows the difference in the species type and the heterogeneity of the community, whereas the lower value points to the homogeneity of the community
Summary
Parthenium (Parthenium hysterophorus L.) is native to regions across the Gulf of Mexico and has spread to more than 40 countries across five continents [1,2,3]. Parthenium was first discovered in 1980 near food assistance distribution centers in Ethiopia around Dire-Dawa in 1980 [4, 5]. Parthenium weed entered the country through military vehicles during the Ethio-Somali war of 1976/77 [5, 6]. E presence of weed in Kenya and Somalia [7] and the ability of the seed to migrate long distances from these neighboring countries by wind, water, and other means suggested possible entry into Ethiopia. The weed has spread rapidly through farmlands, forests, orchards, poorly controlled arable croplands, and rangelands in Ethiopia [8]. Information on the spatial distribution of weeds for a farmer can, provide a better understanding of the expected benefit and a way to minimize input costs by applying weed-specific control [12]. Information on the spatial distribution of weeds for a farmer can, provide a better understanding of the expected benefit and a way to minimize input costs by applying weed-specific control [12]. e economic and environmental benefits of documenting the spatial variation of weeds have
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