Bioenergetics: Open Access

Abstract

Seed Features of Selected Arable Weeds of Ondo State Agriculture, Nigeria

Florence Mfon Umoh*, Muftau Adekunle Kenzie Smith, Ebenezer Lanre Fashoranti and Evans Ekhosuehi Uwague

The study was conducted at The Federal University of Technology Akure in 2011 aimed at evaluating the influence of weed seed features (seed size and weight) on their persistence on cropland. Weeds are one of the main problems affecting agriculture in Nigeria. Annual weeds produces many seeds yearly, contributing largely to the next season’s weed emergence on the cropland. Weeds are tolerant to environmental stresses, reproducing by seed or underground stems (rhizomes, stolon, tuber, bulb, stem). Some of its competitive ability in cropland are Mimicry, mis-identification and seedling vigour with seed survival an influencing factor to their population dynamics. Weed seed were collected from various cropland and field where different factors affected their growth, seed size, seed number and establishment. The average weight, length and width were derived and preliminary germination test done to obtain basic information on seed viability and or dormancy at harvest from field plots. Germination counts were then recorded. Weed seed ranges from a minimum of <1 mm length in Cyathula prostate, Elusine indica and Pennisetum pedicellatum to a maximum of 10.5 mm in Bidens pilosa. Also, seed width varies between <1 mm width in Cyathula prostate, Ageratum conyzoides, Emilla coccinea, Tridax procumbens, Maricus longibracteatus, Elusine indica and Pennisetum pedicellatum to a maximum of 3.7mm in Centrosema pubescens. However, Amarathus spinosus (5 ×10-5 g), Sida acuta (3.3 ×10-2 g) had the least and highest seed weight respectively. Bigger and heavier seeds (Rottboellia cochinchinensis, Penisetum pedicellatum, Centrosema pubescens) have higher percentage germinatioin.

Published Date: 2021-09-06;