ECOLOGY OF WEEDS OF GARLIC CROP AT BOTANICAL GARDEN, UNIVERSITY OF PESHAWAR, PAKISTAN

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1 Pak. J. Weed Sci. Res., 23(4): pages , ECOLOGY OF WEEDS OF GARLIC CROP AT BOTANICAL GARDEN, UNIVERSITY OF PESHAWAR, PAKISTAN Syeda Naila, Aziz Ur Rehman and Syed Mukaram Shah Abstract Current research was conducted to enlist the weed flora in the fields of Garlic ( Allium sativum L.). Nineteen (19) plant species including seventeen (17) dicots and two (2) monocots of ten (10) families were recorded as weeds of Allium sativum L. Asteraceae and Polygonaceae were found the leading dicots families with 3 species (15.78%), followed by Brassicaceae, Caryophyllaceae, Chenopodiaceae, Papilionaceae and Poaceae with 2 species (10.52%) each. The remaining 3 families had 1 species representation. Life-form spectrum showed fifteen (15) species were Therophytes (79%), Geophytes had 3 species (15.78%) and Hemicryptophyte with 1 species (5.26%). Leaf size spectrum exhibited that Microphylls and Nanophylls were the leading leaf size classes with 6 species (357%) each, which were followed by Mesophylls with 3 species (15.78%), while Macrophylls and Leptophylls had 2 species (10.52%) each. Phenologically % weeds were in reproductive stage and percent in vegetative stage. Abundance classes indicated that majority of weed were frequent (10 Spp., 563%), occasional (7 Spp., 36.84%) and abundant (2 Spp., 10.52%). Weeds growing with cultivated crops reduce their productivity and thus must be controlled to ensure the highest productivity of cultivated crops. The poor floristic list of weeds might be due to the aromatic and allelopathic nature of Allium sativum L. Key words; Botanical Garden, Allium sativum, Weeds, Ecology Citation: Naila S., A. U. Rehman And S. M. Shah Ecology of weeds of garlic crop at botanical garden, University of Peshawar, Pakistan. Pak. J. Weed Sci. Res. 23(4): Centre of Plant Biodiversity and Botanical Garden, University of Peshawar, Pakistan.

2 408 Naila S. et al., Ecology of weeds of garlic crop... INTRODUCTION Botanical Garden, University of Peshawar is located in Azakheil, District Nowshera, KPK between 34 o 15 / and 34 o - 31 / North latitude and 733 o to 44 / East longitude at the altitude of 290 m. The Garden facilitates both in situ and ex situ conservation of pant biodiversity including cultivated medicinal plants. Garlic (Allium sativum L.) is relatively cool period crop cultivated for its characteristic flavor. In Botanical Garden it was cultivated during February to March, 2013 and observed that various weeds were growing within Garlic (Allium sativum L.). Weeds are unwanted plants growing along cultivated crops (Khan et al. 2009). Weeds are herbaceous plant species not esteemed for usage and magnificence. They grow wild and considered as encumbering the ground and impeding the development of greater vegetation over particular area. In human coordinated locations specifically gardens, parks, orchids, lawns, forests and farm fields, the undesirable plants are called weeds. Weeds usually use alike resources and adaptation which provide them benefits and permit them to flourish in the environment and cause noticeable damage to the crops. Habitat disturbances results due to colonization of variable communities of weed species. Growth of weeds damages the crops seriously. Various methods are used to get rid of these weeds. The farmers rely on hand pulling of weeds in developing countries. Weed flowering fluctuates because of climatic factor, edaphic factor, topography, altitude and agronomic exercises (Hadi et al., 2009). Weed effects precious crops and reduce productivity so for an ecological management, proper identification and assessment of flora has always been prerequisite (Shah and Hussain, 2011). Weeds have been under focal importance in agronomical and ecological studies throughout the world and many researchers worked on weed ecology in the Botanical Garden (Hadi et al. 2009a, 2011b, Hussain et al., 2009 and Shah and Hussain, 2011). This is the first ever report on weeds of Garlic crop growing in Botanical Garden which will provide base line information for proper identification, management and further attention to weeds in the area. MATERIALS AND METHODS During January - March, 2013, field research was carried out in Garlic crop field to record the weeds diversity and their various ecological characteristics i.e. life form, leaf size as per Raunkiaer, (1934) and Hussain (198 9). Phenology and abundance classes were noted in the field. The plants were collected and identified with the help of flora of Pakistan (Ali and Qaiser, ). The dried specimens were pasted on herbarium sheets and voucher samples were submitted in Herbarium of Center of Plant Biodiversity, University of Peshawar. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Nineteen (19) species of 10 families and 17 genera including (17) dicots, two (2) monocots were recorded during February and March Asteraceae and Polygonaceae were leading families with 3 species (15.78%), followed by Poaceae, Brassicaceae, Caryophyllaceae, Chenopodiaceae and Papilionaceae each with 2 species (10.52%), Convolvulaceae, Euphorbiaceae and Ranunculaceae with one species each. Therophytes were in abundant represented by Fifteen (15) species, Geophytes had three species (15.78%) and Hemicryptophyte had 1 species (5.26%). leaf size class represented that Microphyll and Nanophyll were the leading life size class each with 6 species (357%), which were followed by Mesophyll 3 species (15.78%), Macrophyll and Leptophyll with 2 species (10.52%). Phenologically % weeds were in reproductive stage and 26.31% in vegetative stage. Abundance classes showed that 10 species (563%) were frequent, 7 species (36.84%) were occasional and 2 species ( 10.52%) were abundant. Our results are in line with work of Akhtar and Hussain, 2007, Waheed et al., Gaba et al., 2014, Leibman et al., 2016, Jordan et al., 2016 and Gibson et al., More than necessary crop species, these weedy species gain benefit as they

3 Pak. J. Weed Sci. Res., 23(4): pages , grow and reproduce rapidly or due to persistent seeds they possess short life durations with several generations in the similar growing period. The weeds usually repeat the life cycle through seeds. However under best management weeds seeds persist due to viability in the soil (Hussain et al, 2009). Weeds noticeably lessen yields, value and quality of the crop by enhanced producing and reaping cost. At very initial growth stage, weeds compete with crop plants. Weeds in addition shelter pathogens, insects and pests (Singh et al., 2006). Common practices to get rid of these weeds are chopping by hands. Because of weeds infestation, the yield of crop is commonly decreased upto 30 to 60 % (Hussain, 1983). Contribution to weeds study have been done by Subhan et al., 1985, Jilani et al., 2003, Thakral et al., 2003, Ghafoor, 2004 and Marwat et al., The productions of crops considerably increased by proper management and eradication of crop damaging weeds. Table Floristic composition, Life form, Leaf size, Phenology and Abundance classes of Weeds of Allium sativum L. grown in Botanical Garden, University of Peshawar, Pakistan. S. No. Family Plant species Life form Leaf size Phenology Abundance classes Monocot 1 Poaceae Alopecurus mysorroides Th Mac R A L. Polypogon monspeliensis Th Mes R A (L.) Desf. B. Dicots Asteraceae 3. Conyza canadensis (L.) Cronquist Th Mic V O 4. Matricaria chamomila L. Th Mic R O 5. Soncus asper (L.) Hill. Th Mes R F 3 Brassicaceae 6. Brassica campestris L. Mac R O 7. Cronopus didymus (L.) Th L R F Sm. 4. Caryophyllaceae 8. Anagalis arvensis L. Th L R F 9. Spergula arvensis L. Th N R F 5. Chenopodiaceae 10. Chenopodium album L. Th N R F 1 Suaeda fruticosa Forssk H N V O 6. Convolvulaceae 1 Convolvulus arvensis L. Th Mic R O 7. Euphorbiaceae 13. Euphorbia heliscopia L. Th Mic R O 8. Papilionaceae 14. Melilotus officinalis Th N R F (L.)Pall. 15. Trifolium resupinatum G Mic V O L. 9. Polygonaceae 16. Polygonum aviculare L. Th N R F 17. Polygonum plebium L. Th N V F 18. Rumex dentatus L. G Mes V F 10. Ranunculaceae 19. Ranunculus muricatus G Mic R F L. Keys: Life form classes (a) Therophyte (Th). b. Geophyte (G) c, Hemicryptophyte (H)

4 410 Naila S. et al., Ecology of weeds of garlic crop... Leaf size classes: a. Leptophyll (L) b. Nanophyll (N) c. Microphyll (Mic) d. Mesophyll (Mes) e. Megaphyll (Meg). 3. Phenology: a. Reproductive (R) b. Vegetative (V) 4. Abundance classes: Abundant (A), Frequent (F), Occasional (O) Table Summary of Life -form, Leaf size, Phenology and Abundance classes of weeds of Allium sativum L. in Botanical Garden, University of Peshawar, Pakistan. S. No. Parameters No. of species Percentage Life-form classes 3. Therophytes Geophytes Hemicryptophytes Total Leaf size classes Microphyll Nanophyll Mesophyll Macrophyll Leptophyll Total Phenological stages Reproductive Vegetative Total Abundance classes 3. Frequent Occasional Abundant Total Fig. Life-form classes Fig. Leaf-size classes

5 Pak. J. Weed Sci. Res., 23(4): pages , Fig. 3. Phenological stages Fig. 5. Weeds in Garlic Crop Fig. 6. Garlic Allium sativum L. Fig. 4. Abundance classes Conclusion and Recommendations Current research concludes about weed flora in the fields of Garlic ( Allium sativum L.) with enlisting according to Life form, Leaf size classes, Phenological stages and abundance classes with proposal that weeds effect net production. Weeds grow with cultivated crops reduce their productivity so it is direly required to cope with along scientific measures eradicated to ensure the highest productivity of cultivated crops. The low floristic diversity of weed in Garlic crop is due to the allelopathic potential of Allium sativum and twin problems of waterlogging and salinity in the research area. It is concluded that the aromatic plants keep away the harmful competitive weeds. The reclamation of the soil through drainage, mulching and addition of organic matter is recommended. REFERENCES CITED Akhtar, N. and F. Hussain Weeds of wheat fields of Village Qambar, District Swat, Pakistan. Pak. J. Pl. Sci. 13: Ali, S. I. and M. Qaiser Flora of Pakistan. Department of Botany, University of Karachi. Gaba, S., G. Fried, E. Kazakou, B. Chauvel and M. Nava Agroecological weeds control using a functional approach: a review of cropping systems diversity. Agron. Sustain. Dev. 34: Ghaffoor, A Integrated weed management in different varieties of onion (Allium cepa L.). Pak. J. Weed. Sci. Res., 10 (1-2): 55-6 Gibson, D. J., B. G. Young and A. J. Wood Can weeds enhance profitability? Integrating ecological concepts to address

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