PHYTOSOCIOLOGICAL SURVEY OF WEEDS IN ERECT PROSTRATE COWPEA CULTIVARS

Abstract

ABSTRACT The goal of this study is to characterize the weed phytosociology in some major erect and prostrate cowpea cultivars in Brazil, in the Northern growing conditions of Minas Gerais state. The test was conducted in Janaúba, Minas Gerais state. The treatments consisted in five erect cultivars (BRS Guariba, BRS Tumucumaque, BRS Novaera, BRS Itaim and BRS Cauamé) and four prostrate ones (BRS Marataoã, BRS Pajeú, BRS Pujante and BRS Xiquexique). The plots were composed of four five meter rows, spaced 0.5 m apart, for erect cultivars and 1.0 m for the prostrated ones. Weed sampling was performed 50 days after sowing by standard Square Method. The species were identified and quantified, and then dried at 65 oC for 72 hours and weighed. The frequency, absolute and relative density and abundance, the importance value index (IVI) and the similarity index were evaluated. In the erect cultivars, the Amaranthaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Asteraceae and Convolvulaceae families stood out with higher IVI’s. In prostrate cultivars, the Amaranthaceae, Asteraceae and Malvaceae families stood out. Portulaca oleracea and Amaranthus spp. were the species with the highest IVI. The similarity index between erect and prostrate cultivars was 72%; nine of the 16 families occurred in both cultivars. BRS Tumucumaque, erect, and BRS Pujante, prostrate had lower weed infestation.