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IMPACT OF DIFFERENTIAL MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES ON WEED
COMPOSITION, DYNAMICS AND DOMINANCE IN LOWLAND RICE
(ORYZA SATIVA L.)
Author(s): Modupe Sidiqat HUSSEIN, Firdaus Opeyemi BELLO, Idowu Eletu SAKA
Volume/Issue: Volume 6 , Issue 1(2026)
ABSTRACT:
Weed infestation remains a major constraint to productivity and sustainability in lowland rice ecosystems. This study evaluated the effects of rice variety, weed management strategy, and fertilizer regime on weed community composition during the 2023 and 2024 cropping seasons at the University of Abuja, Nigeria. The experiment was arranged in a split–split plot design with three rice varieties (FARO 44, FARO 57, FARO 60), four weed management strategies (standard herbicide rate, reduced herbicide rate, manual weeding, and no weeding), and three fertilizer regimes (organic, inorganic, and no fertilizer). Weed sampling was conducted at 4, 8, and 12 weeks after sowing using a 0.5 m × 0.5 m quadrat. Weed species were identified and classified by family and growth form. 35 weed species from 15 families were recorded in 2023, while 38 species from 16 families were identified in 2024, indicating increased diversity. Cyperaceae and Poaceae were dominant across years. Standard herbicide application resulted in the lowest weed density, while reduced herbicide rates and manual weeding altered species composition but allowed persistence of perennial weeds. Unweeded plots recorded the highest weed diversity. The findings underscore the importance of integrated weed management for sustainable lowland rice production.
KEYWORDS:
Biodiversity conservation, herbicide rate, integrated management, organic fertilizer, weed flora
