Weed phytosociology in cassava cultivation in two periods in southwestern Bahia, Brazil

Abstract

Knowing the most important species in the weed community is necessary to decide the best weed control method to be used. Thus, a phytosociological survey was carried out on cassava cultivation areas located in five rural properties of Cândido Sales, BA, Brazil, one of the state’s largest cassava producers. Two collections were carried out in each property in February (summer) and August (winter) 2016. A square metal frame with 0.25 m2 was randomly placed in each area, zigzagging, and establishing a proportion of 25 castings per hectare, with a sampling area of 6.25 m2 in each area. Weeds were identified and quantified, and then phytosociological parameters of frequency, density, abundance, relative frequency, relative density, relative abundance, and importance value index were determined. The analysis of the similarity between populations of the areas and periods was determined by the Sorensen similarity index. A variation of weed community composition was observed between cassava and harvest periods, with a higher infestation in the summer. A similarity was observed between cassava cultivation areas.