UTILITARIAN ASPECTS OF WEEDS AND THEIR ECOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS IN OCHAWALA VALLEY, DISTRICT CHARSADDA, PAKISTAN

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1 UTILITARIAN ASPECTS OF WEEDS AND THEIR ECOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS IN OCHAWALA VALLEY, DISTRICT CHARSADDA, PAKISTAN Muhammad Numan Khan 1, Fazal Hadi 2, Abdul Razzaq 2 and Syed Mukarram Shah 2 1 Department of Botany, University of Peshawar, Peshawar, Pakistan 2 Centre of Plant Biodiversity, University of Peshawar, Peshawar, Pakistan hadibotany@yahoo.com ABSTRACT Weeds are generally considered as unwanted and useless plants grow in the cultivated fields. The present study was aimed to enlist the weed flora of wheat fields of Ochawala valley and also to highlight that how these useless plants can be utilized. Field visits were arranged in different seasons for collection of the weeds. These plants were identified and their possible uses in the valley were documented. 35 weeds belonging to 33 genera and 18 families were collected. Out of which 6 genera and 7 species were monocots and 27 genera and 28 species were dicots. Poaceae was leading family (6 genera, 7 species) followed by Asteraceae (5 genera, 5 species), Fabaceae (3 genera, 4 species) and Brassicaceae (3 genera, 3 species). The remaining families had 2 or less genera and species. Therophyte was major life class with 31 species and hemicryptophyte and geophyte were represented by 2 species each. Leaf size classes showed nanophylls as dominant (15 species) group followed by microphylls (11 species), mesophylls (6 species), leptophylls (2 species) and macrophylls (one species). 33 species were deciduous and 2 were evergreen species. 20 species had compound leaves and 15 species were with simple leaves. The Phenological studies revealed that 29 species were in reproductive stage and 6 species were in vegetative stage. These weeds were locally used for different purposes i.e. 27 were fodder, 5 medicinal and 3 vegetables. Weeds are unwanted, self growing and injurious plants which share the utilization of land and other resources such as nutrients, water, space and light. Therefore, eradication of weeds can enhance resource availability and crop productivity. In the present study it was concluded that the weeds are not at all unwanted and useless species but they can be utilized for various purposes. Keywords: weeds diversity, ecological characteristics, wheat fields, ochawala, district Charsadda, Pakistan. INTRODUCTION District Charsadda is a part of the fertile plain of Peshawar valley in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Pakistan and situated at an altitude of 276 m. the district occurs between 34º 03 to 34º 38 N latitudes and 71º28 and 71º53 E longitudes. It covers an area of 996 km² and lies 29 km away from the Peshawar city. It is bounded by Malakand district on the north, Mardan district on the east, Nowshera and Peshawar districts on the south and Mohmand Agency on the west (Anonymous, 1998). The district has more than three hundred small villages including the research area Ochawala. 182

Village Ochawala Figure-1. Location map of the study area (Ochawala, district Charsadda). Ochawala is famous for sugarcane, wheat, maize, tobacco and rice productions.

2 Village Ochawala Figure-1. Location map of the study area (Ochawala, district Charsadda). Ochawala is famous for sugarcane, wheat, maize, tobacco and rice productions. River water and monsoon rain the sources of irrigation. Weeds growing in crop fields and hence decrease the yield by competing for water, nutrients, space and light. Some weeds may be strongly allelopathic which can adversely affect the crops growth and development. Weeds are strong competitors to cereal crops because of their profuse growth in different environmental conditions. Many scientists carried out various ecological studies on weeds i.e. sixty two species of weeds including 15 monocots and one pteridophyte were reported from wheat fields of University of Peshawar Botanical Garden at Azakhel, District Nowshera (Hussain et al., 2009). Forty species related to 21 families were identified as the weeds of wheat from village Lahor, District Swabi (Sher et al., 2011). Khan et al., (2012) reported that Parthenium weed has become a major threat to grazing land, roadside, wastelands, wetlands, as well as cultivated land in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Hadi and Ibrar (2015) enlisted 59 weed species belonging to 51 genera and 25 families from wheat fields of Kalash valley, district Chitral. Hadi and Ibrar (2015) reported 27 weeds belonging to 23 genera and 17 families from Kalash valley district Chitral, used for different medicinal purpose. Iqbal et al., (2015) studied 132 weed plant species belonged to 110 genera and 42 families. Haq et al., (2016) reported twenty one weed species of 11 families in the fields of Onion (Allium cepa L) at Botanical Garden, University of Peshawar. Weeds can provide habitat for harmful insects and also act as alternate hosts for pathogens and many other organisms (Waheed et al., 2009). Increasing density of the weed increase dry matter yield which directly 183

3 decreased the grain and dry matter yield of wheat (Khan et al., 2015). The present research work is the first report on the weed flora of wheat crops of Ochawala village and their local uses which might help in future weed management studies. MATERIALS AND METHODS Weed survey was carried out in village Ochawala, district Charsadda during March to May Plant specimen were collected, dried and identified with the help of flora of Pakistan and other literature (Nasir and Ali, ; Ali and Nasir, ; Ali and Qaiser, ). The life forms and leaf sizes classes were determined after Raunkiaer (1934) and Hussain (1989). The ecological characteristics including phenological data were observed in the field and the plants were classified into pre-reproductive (vegetative), reproductive (flowering) and post-reproductive (fruiting) stages. Ethno botanical information was gathered by interviewing the local inhabitants. RESULTS Comprehensive weeds study was conducting to elaborate the floristic diversity and ecological characteristics of weeds of wheat fields of village Ochawala, district Charsadda, Pakistan. The study revealed that a total of Thirty-five species belonged to 33 genera and 18 families were collected from wheat fields (Table-1). Among them 6 genera and 7 species were monocots while 27 genera and 28 species were dicots. Poaceae was the leading family represented by 6 genera (18.1%) and 7 species (20%) followed by Asteraceae with 5 genera (15.1%) and 5 species (14.2%), Fabaceae with 3 genera (9.09%) and 4 species (11.4%) and Brassicaceae with 3 genera (9.09%) and 3 species (8.57%). Apiaceae and Polygonaceae had 2 genera (6.06%) and 2 species (5.71%) each. The remaining 12 families were represented by 1 genera (3.03%) and 1 species (2.85%) each. Our findings are in agreement with many workers i.e. (Hussain et al. 2009; Sher et al. 2011; Ullah et al. 2011; Badshah et al. 2013; Inayat et al. 2014; Khan et al and Haq et al. 2016). All these workers have reported similar floristic composition of the weeds flora for different crops i.e. wheat and rice. Life form spectra (Table-2 A) depicted that therophytes had 31 (88.57%) species and hemicryptophytes and geophytes had 2 (5.71%) species each. The findings agree with that of Shah and Khan (2006), Hussain et al. (2009), Waheed et al. (2009) and Khan et al. (2014). Leaf size spectra (Table-2 B) indicated that nanophylls was major class with 15 (42.85%) species followed by microphylls with 11 (31.42%) species, mesophylls with 6 (17.14%) species, leptophylls with 2 (5.71%) species and macrophylls with single (2.857%) species. Our present findings are in agreement with those of Hussain et al. (2009) and Haq et al. (2016) that some species of weeds have similar leaf size spectra. Leaf persistence classes showed (Table 2C) that there were 33 deciduous species (94.28%) and 2 (5.714%) evergreen species. Leaf shape classes (Table 2D) showed that 20 (57.14%) species had compound leaves and 15 (42.85%) had simple leaves. The phenological classes showed that 29 (82.85%) species were in reproductive stage and 6 species (17.14%) were in vegetative stages. Out of these weed species, 27 (77.14%) were used as fodders, 5 (14.28%) as medicinal and 3 (8.571%) were vegetables. DISCUSSIONS Weeds enter the fields through wind, water, animals and as contamination in seeds and therefore become difficult to completely eliminate them. However, even under best management weed seeds persist in the soil due to their longevity and long viability (Hussain et al. 2009). Soil always contains seed reserves which is a constant source of weed emergence even under best agronomic practice (Hussain et al., 1989). A plant passes through different phenological stages during its life cycle with changing environmental condition especially thermo period and photo period. Phenological studies help in predicting time of germination, vegetative growth, flowering, time of harvesting fruits/seeds or crops. The weed species first must be categorized into various economic use classes. The noxious weed with profuse growth rate and spiny nature must be removed by hand pulling at pre-reproductive stage. Future intensive and extensive researches on the weeds of the area are strongly recommended for reduction of their growth in the field and increase the production of crops. 184

4 S # VOL. 12, NO. 5, MAY 2017 ISSN Table-1. Diversity, ecological characteristics and uses of weeds in wheat fields of Ochawala, District Charsadda, KP, Pakistan. Plant species Local Names Habit Life form Leaf size A. ANGIOSPERMS a. Monocotyledanae 1 B Family Poaceae Leaf persistence Leaf shape Phenology Economic uses 1. Avena sativa L. Jamdar Herb Th N D S R Fodder 2. Avena fatua L. Jamdar Herb Th Mic D S R Fodder 3. Cynodon dactylon (L.)Pers. Kabal Herb H N D S V Fodder 4. Phalaris minor Retz. Ghondoky Herb Th N D S V Fodder 5. Poa annua L. Wakha Herb Th N D S R Fodder 6. Polypogon monspeliensis (L.) Desf. 7. Rostraria cristata(l.) Tzvelev. Dabble wakha Herb Th Mes D S R Fodder Narri wakha Herb Th Mic D S R Fodder Dicotyledonae Family Amaranthaceae 8. Amaranthus viridus L. Gankhar Herb Th N D S R Vegetable Family Apiaceae 9. Scandix pectin-veneris L. Kali ziri Herb Th Lep D C R Fodder 10. Torilis leptophylla(l.) Reichenb.f. Zangali gajer Herb Th Mic D C R Fodder Family Asteraceae 11. Artemisia vulgaris L. Tarkha Herb H Mic E S V Fodder 12. Circium arvense (L.) Scop. 13. Parthenium hysterophorous L. Azghakey Herb Th Mic D C R Fodder Zangley tarkha Herb Th Mes D C R Fodder 14. Sonchus oleraceous L. Shodapay Herb Th Mac D C R Fodder 15. Taraxicum officinale Weber. Zyar gulay Herb G Mes D C R Medicinal Family Brassicaceae 16. Brassica campestris L. Sharsham Herb Th Mes D C R Vegetable 17. Eruca sativa Mill. Aroka Herb Th Mic D C V Fodder 18. Neslia apiculata Fisch. Tarkhakai Herb Th N D C R Fodder Family Cannabinaceae 19.Cannabis sativa L. Bang Herb Th N D C R Medicinal Family Caryophyllaceae 20. Stellaria media (L.) Vill Phullanboti Herb Th N D S R Fodder 21. Chenopodium murale L. Zangali gankhar Family Chenopodiaceae Herb Th Mic D C R Fodder Family Convululaceae 22. Convululus arvensis L. Prewati Herb Th Mic D C R Fodder 185

5 VOL. 12, NO. 5, MAY 2017 ISSN Family Euphorbiaceae 23. Euphorbia heliscopia L. Mandaroo Herb Th N D S R Medicinal Family Fabaceae 24. Medicago polmorpha L. Peshtari Herb Th N D C R Fodder 25. Medicago lupulina L. Peshtari Herb Th N D C R Fodder 26. Melilotus indica (L.) All. Singee Herb Th N D C R Fodder 27. Vicia sativa L. Mong palli Herb Th Mic D S R Fodder 28. Fumaria indica Pugsley. Papra/ shatara Family Fumariaceae Herb Th L D C R Medicinal Family Geraniaceae 29. Geranium sp. Sinthri Herb Th Mic D C R Fodder Family Plantaginaceae 30. Plantago lanceolata L. Isphagol Herb Th N 31. Emex spinosa (L.)Campd. Family Polygonaceae D S V Medicinal Azghakey Herb Th Mes D C R Fodder 32. Rumex dentatus L. Shalkhay Herb G Mes E S V Vegetable Family Primulaceae Mangotegul 16 Th 33. Anagallus arvensis L. l/ Herb N billibooti 17 Family Ranunculaceae Ranunculus arvensis L. Zyar gulay Herb Th Mic 35. Gallium aparine L. Chamchora ki Family Rubiaceae D S R D C R Fodder Fodder Herb Th N D C R Fodder Keys: Life-form classes: Th. Therophytes, G. Geophytes, H. Hemicryptophytes Leaf-size classes: L. Leptophylls, N. Nanophylls, Mic. Microphylls, Mes. Mesophylls, Mac. Macrophylls Leaf- persistence: D. Deciduous, E. Evergreen Leaf-shape: C. Compound, S. Simple Phenological stages: R. Reproductive, V. Vegetative Table-2. Summary of Ecological characteristics of weeds of wheat fields of Ochawala, District Charsadda, Pakistan. A. Life form S. No. Life form classes No of species Percentage (%) 1. Therophytes % 2. Hemi-cryptophytes % 3. Geophytes % 186

6 B. Leaf sizes S. No. Leaf sizes classes No of species Percentage (%) 1 Nanophylls % 2 Microphylls % 3 Mesophylls % 4 Leptophylls % 5 Macrophylls % Total % C. Leaf persistence S. No. Leaf persistence classes No of species Percentage (%) 1 Deciduous % 2 Evergreen % D. Leaf shape S. No. Leaf shape classes No of species Percentage (%) 1 Compound % 2 Simple % E. Phenology S. No. Phenological stages No of species Percentage (%) 1 Reproductive % 2 Vegetative % Table-3. Summary of Economic uses of weeds in wheat fields of Ochawala, District Charsadda, Pakistan. S. No. Parameters No of species Percentage (%) 1 Fodder % 2 Vegetable % 3 Medicinal % 187

Plate 1 Life form classes Leaf sizes 5.714% 5.714% 88.57% Therophytes Hemi-cryptophytes Geophytes Percentage 45.000% 40.000% 35.000% 30.000% 25.000% 20.000% 15.000% 10.000% 5.000% 0.000% 42.85% 31.

000% 94.28% 5.714% Deciduous Evergreen Persistence 42.85% 57.14% Compound Simple 3. Leaf persistence classes 4. Leaf shape classes Phenological Stages Economic Uses 90.000% Percentage 100.000% 80.

28% Fodder Vegetable Medicinal 5. Phenology 6. Economic uses REFERENCES Ali S.I. and Y. Nasir. 1989-1991. Flora of Pakistan. Department of Botany, University of Karachi. Ali S.I. and M. Qaiser.

7 Plate 1 Life form classes Leaf sizes 5.714% 5.714% 88.57% Therophytes Hemi-cryptophytes Geophytes Percentage % % % % % % % % 5.000% 0.000% 42.85% 31.42% 17.14% 5.714% 2.857% Sizes 1. Life form classes 2. Leaf sizes classes Leaf persistence Leaf shape percentage % % % % % % % % % % 0.000% 94.28% 5.714% Deciduous Evergreen Persistence 42.85% 57.14% Compound Simple 3. Leaf persistence classes 4. Leaf shape classes Phenological Stages Economic Uses % Percentage % % % % % 0.000% 82.85% 17.14% Reproductive Vegetative Phenological Stages % % % % % % % % 0.000% 77.14% 8.571% 14.28% Fodder Vegetable Medicinal 5. Phenology 6. Economic uses REFERENCES Ali S.I. and Y. Nasir Flora of Pakistan. Department of Botany, University of Karachi. Ali S.I. and M. Qaiser Flora of Pakistan. Department of Botany, University of Karachi. Anonymous District Census Report of Charsadda. PCO, Govt. of Pakistan. Badshah L., F. Hussain and Z. Sher Floristic inventory, ecological characteristics and biological spectrum of rangeland of District Tank, Pakistan. Pak. J. Bot. 45(4): Hadi F. and M. Ibrar Ecology of Weeds in Wheat crops of Kalash valley, District Chitral Hindukush Range, Pakistan. Pak. J. Weed Sci. Res. 21(3):

8 Hadi F. and M. Ibrar Weeds as a source of medicines for the descendants of Alexander the Great in Kalash valley, district Chitral, Hindukush range, Pakistan. Pak. J. Weed Sci. Res. 21(4): Haq Z., B. Gul, S.M. Shah, A. Razaq and H. Raza Ecological characteristics of weeds of onion crop of University of Peshawar Botanical Garden, district Nowshera, Pakistan. Pak. J. Weed Sci. Res. 22(2): Hussain F Field and Laboratory Manual of Plant Ecology. UGC Islamabad, Pakistan Hussain F., M.Z. Qureshi and S. Shaukat Some weed seed reserve in cultivated fields of Hazro, District Attock. Pak. J. Agri. Res. 10: Sher Z., F. Hussain, L. Badshah and M. Wahab Floristic composition, communities and ecological characteristics of weeds of wheat fields of Lahore, district Swabi, Pakistan. Pak. J. Bot. 43(6): Ullah, I., S.M. Wazir, A. Farooq, S.U. Khan and Z.Hussain Identification of common weeds and its distribution pattern in Wheat fields of FR Bannu, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Pak. J. Weed. Sci. Res. 17(4): Waheed A., R. Qureshi, G. S. Jakhar and H. Jareen Weed community dynamics in wheat crop of district Rahim Yar Khan, Pakistan. Pak. J. Bot. 41(1): Hussain F., S. M. Shah, F. Hadi and A. Ullah Diversity and Ecological Characteristics of weeds of Wheat Fields of University of Peshawar Botanical Garden at Azakhel, District Nowshera, Pakistan. Pak. J. Weed Sci. Res.15(4): Inayat N., A. Ullah and A. Rashid Floristic composition and ecological prevalence of the weed species growing in wheat and sugar cane fields of district Charsadda, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Pak. J. Weed Sci. Res. 20(3): Iqbal M., S. Khan, M.A. Khan, I.U. Rahman, Z. Abbas and Zahidullah (2015). Exploration and inventorying of weeds in wheat crop of the district Malakand, Pakistan. Pak. J. Weed Sci. Res. 21(3): Khan H., K.B. Marwat, G. Hassan and M.A. Khan Chemical control of Parthenium hysterophorus L. at different growth stages in non cropped area. Pak. J. Bot. 44(5): Khan H., K.B. Marwat, G.Hassan, M.A. Khan and S.Hashim Distribution of Parthenium weed in Peshawar valley, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa-Pakistan. Pak. J. Bot. 46(1): Khan M.A., F. Wahid, U. Kulsoom, K.B. Marwat, B. Gul, M. InayatUllah, A.M. Khattak and S.A. Khan Evaluating the threshold levels of Neslia apiculata in wheat and its effects on crop yield losses in Swat Valley of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Pak. J. Bot. 47(SI): Nasir E. and S.I. Ali Flora of Pakistan. PARC, Islamabad, Pakistan Raunkiaer C The life forms of plants and Statistical Plant Geography. Clrendon Press, Oxford. Shah G. M. and M. A. Khan Checklist of noxious weeds of District Mansehra, Pakistan. Pak. J. Weed. Sci. Res. 12(3):

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

Pak. J. Weed Sci. Res., 23(4): pages 407-412, 2017 407 ECOLOGY OF WEEDS OF GARLIC CROP AT BOTANICAL GARDEN, UNIVERSITY OF PESHAWAR, PAKISTAN Syeda Naila, Aziz Ur Rehman and Syed Mukaram Shah Abstract Current