Weed species composition and growth in wheat field of mountain ecosystem Khokana, Lalitpur, Nepal

Abstract

A study was carried out to determine the composition and predominance of weed species in wheat field in Khokana of Kathmandu valley as a representative sample of mountain ecosystem in Nepal. A total of 44 weed species representing 18 families were recorded. The most abundant species were Chenopodium album, Polygonum plebeium and Spergula arvensis. With the improved temperature after February, the weeds flourished in the late winter which had deterrent effect on the growth of wheat. Weeding practice was not much followed, while the fallowing gave more chances to weed species to germinate and grow. Periodic surveys on weeds help catalogue the existing weeds and extent of harm caused by them. Key-words: Rice-wheat cropping practice; weed ecology; weed management. DOI: 10.3126/botor.v7i0.4388Botanica Orientalis - Journal of Plant Science (2010) 7: 85-91