article · Journal of Forest Science and Environment
A field survey conducted between June and October 2020 assessed weed species diversity and composition across rice paddy fields in Usur, Yobe State, Nigeria. Using randomised one-metre-square quadrats, the investigation documented 72 weed species spanning 16 families and 50 genera. Among these, 47 were native species and 25 were exotic. Cyperus rotundus emerged as the most densely populated, most frequently occurring species, recording the highest importance value index across the surveyed sites. Diversity metrics yielded a Simpson index of 0.371 and a Shannon-Wiener index of 1.0. These diversity values suggest an unbalanced local ecosystem and point towards potential alterations in water quality driven by human activities, including weed control methods and pollution. The baseline data establishes an empirical record of weed distribution and diversity patterns needed to inform weed management in regional paddy farming systems.
Understanding weed composition in rice paddies is essential for maintaining crop yields and monitoring agroecosystem health. The dominance of particular resilient species alongside signs of ecosystem imbalance highlights how agricultural practices and environmental pollution influence local plant communities. These baseline findings help agronomists and land managers recognise which invasive or competitive weeds pose the greatest challenges to sustainable rice production in the region.
The findings represent early-stage ecological baseline research rather than a developed technology. The data could assist agricultural extension services, weed control practitioners, and agrochemical formulators in identifying key target species, notably Cyperus rotundus, when designing regional weed management programmes. However, because the study focuses solely on species identification and ecological surveys, practical applications in herbicide development or commercial management solutions remain distant and untested.
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The present study investigates the weed species composition and diversity of paddy field in Usur, Yobe State, Nigeria. Random vegetation surveys were used to conduct the study in June to October, 2020. A quadrat measuring 1m x 1m randomly placed in the weeds infested area within the study site. Plants observed were photographed, geo-referenced collected and prepared as herbarium specimens. Standard key, manuals and checklists were utilized for plant identification and organized using angiosperm plant phylogeny (APG) classification system. Component features in the study were; scientific and family names, common English names, Hausa names, life cycle, native/exotic species, life form and mode of propagation. A total of (72) species distributed within (16) families and (50) genera were inventoried, native (47) and exotic (25) species. The density populated species was (Cyperus rotundus). Highly frequently species was (Cyperus rotundus). Species with highest importance value index (IVI) was (Cyperus rotundus). Simpson’s index of diversity value was 0.371 and Shannon Weigner index value was 1.0. The differences in the diversity indices are an indication of alteration in water quality probably due to anthropogenic activities; pollution and weeds control method. The results obtained from the research will be significant for understanding the distribution, diversity and control of paddy weeds. It was evident from the study that ecosystem in the area is less balanced.
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DOI: 10.63693/jfse.v10i1.034
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