Abstract
This field experiment was carried out to evaluate the weed species distribution in the experimental plots of an intercrop of juvenile oil palm trees (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) with maize (Zea mays Linn.), okra (Abelmoschus esculentus Moench) and pepper (Capsicum annuum var. abbreviatum). This was carried out during the cropping season between July and October 2012. The crops were intercropped with the juvenile oil palm trees of about 3-years-old. The experiment was laid out in a completely randomized block design with five (5) replicates. The treatments comprised of intercropping distances of 1 m, 2 m and 3 m each for the three (3) crops (maize, okra and pepper) and a plot for each of the three (3) arable crops without oil palm trees as control. Weed species distribution was carried out in each of the plots to determine the Simpson’s Diversity Index (D), Simpson’s Index of Diversity (1-D) and Simpson’s Reciprocal Index (1/D). Weed species’ frequency, density, relative density, relative frequency, importance value, abundance, dominance and relative dominance were also computed from data collected at 3WAP and 6WAP. The results showed that the control plot has the highest weed species distribution at 3WAP having the lowest Simpson’s Diversity Index (D) of 0.0930. Okra plot has the least weed species distribution with the highest Simpson’s Diversity Index (D) of 0.2726. At 6WAP, the pepper plot has the highest weed species distribution having the lowest Simpson’s Diversity Index (D) of 0.1741. Control plot has the least weed species distribution with highest Simpson’s Diversity Index (D) of 0.2831.
Highlights
Species distribution in terms of species richness is measured as the number of species in a community.Distribution could be within or between communities
The results showed that the control plot has the highest weed species distribution at
The field work was conducted during the cropping season between July and October 2012 at the oil palm plantation of Matkis Farms and Agroservices Ltd. located at km 3 Ilado road, Lanlate, Ibarapa-East Local Government, Oyo state, Nigeria
Summary
Species distribution in terms of species richness is measured as the number of species in a community. Intercropping of compatible plants encourages biodiversity, by providing a habitat for a variety of insects and soil organisms that would not be present in a single-crop environment This biodiversity can in turn help to limit outbreaks of crop pests (Altieri, 1994) by increasing the diversity or abundance of natural enemies, such as spiders or parasitic wasps. In order to determine weed control strategy for a successful weed control programmes in oil palm tree cropping systems, it is worthy to know the weed type and species composition in any ecology It is the objective of this study to investigate the weed flora and species diversity in the plots where the research was carried out
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