Weed communities of root crops in the Pamir Alai Mts, Tajikistan (Middle Asia)

Sylwia Nowak,Arkadiusz S Nowak

doi:10.5586/asbp.2013.011

Abstract

The paper presents the results of investigations of weed vegetation conducted on root crops in Tajikistan (Middle Asia), one of the world cradles of weed flora. The main research was conducted in the Zeravshanian, southern Tajikistan and Hissar-Darvasian geobotanical regions in 2011. The study was based on 107 phytosociological relevés obtained in various geobotanical regions of the country. The collected material probably presents the majority of variations among the weed communities of root cultivations in the Middle Asia. As a result of numerical analyses, 7 associations were distinguished: Convolvulo arvensis-Cyperetum rotundi, Daturo stramonii-Hibiscetum trioni, Setario pumilae-Sorghetum halepensi, Galinsogo-Setarietum, Equiseto arvensi-Xanthietum italici, Portulacetum oleracei and Brassico campestris-Lamietum amplexicauli. The last mentioned is new to science. Additionally, one subassociation has been proposed (Convolvulo arvensis-Cyperetum rotundi kochietosum scopariae). The main discrimination factor for the data set is the floristic structure of the associations. The study shows that root-crop plantations with segetal vegetation may harbor a relatively rich flora. Almost 200 species were found in vegetation plots, including some, which are rare and have not been recorded until now in this part of Middle Asia. However, most of the recorded species are widespread weeds typical for the Mediterranean and Irano-Turanian geobotanical provinces.

Highlights

According to the ten-volume flora of the former Soviet Socialist Republic of Tajikistan [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8], supplemented by the works of Zakirov [9], Tzvelev [10], and Ikonnikov [11], ca. 4550 vascular plant species occur in Tajikistan
30% of vascular plant species known from Tajikistan are generally accepted endemics of the country [8,27,28]
We propose the following classification of the weed communities of root crops in Tajikistan: Stellarietea mediae Tüxen et al ex von Rochow 1951 Atriplici-Chenopodietalia albi R.Tüxen (1937) Nordhagen 1940 Spergulo arvensis-Erodion cicutariae J

Summary

Introduction

According to the ten-volume flora of the former Soviet Socialist Republic of Tajikistan [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8], supplemented by the works of Zakirov [9], Tzvelev [10], and Ikonnikov [11], ca. 4550 vascular plant species occur in Tajikistan. 4550 vascular plant species occur in Tajikistan. This number is not final, as recently some new records regarding the Tajik flora have been published Some species new to science have been described based on plant specimens collected in the general area of this country Tajik vascular plant flora is considered as among the richest in the area of the former Soviet Union. This area is recognized as one of the most important centers of weed species in the world [26]. 30% of vascular plant species known from Tajikistan are generally accepted endemics of the country [8,27,28]. It is worth mentioning that the Pamir-Alai range is part of the middle Asian mountain system recognized by Conservation International to be among thirty-four so-called

Methods

Results

Conclusion