Phytosociological attributes of weeds of sugarcane at Badeggi, Southern Guinea savannah of Nigeria

ABSTRACT

Study was conducted to assess the phytosociological attributes of weed species in sugarcane at the upland sugarcane experimental field of the National Cereals Research Institute, Badeggi, in the Southern Guinea savanna of Nigeria in 2016 and 2017 dry and wet season. A total of 46 weed species were identified during the 2016 and 2017 dry and wet season. The results obtained indicated that Paspalum scrobiculatum and Kyllinga squamulata weed species were the most densely populated in 2016 and 2017 season. Based on the Importance Value Index, the results showed that P. scrobiculatum, K. squamulata, Brachiaria deflexa, Cyperus esculentus and Dactylactenum aegyptium were the most important weeds in sugarcane fields in both years in the study area. The most notable weeds associated with the sugarcane crop were grasses followed by sedges families. Weed control methods in sugarcane should be made towards the control of grasses and sedges species.

Keywords: Phytosociology, weed species, sugarcane, importance value index (IVI).