WEED-CROP ASSOCIATION: A CASE STUDY OF FARMLANDS LOCATED AT THE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, WARRI, DELTA STATE

The impact of weeds on crops has remained an enigma to achieving sustainable food security. The study was conducted in the College of Education, Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State, to assess the prevalence and occurrence of weed species as a prerequisite to identifying sustainable control measures. A field survey was carried out using a 29cm x 29cm size quadrant with seven samples from each field. Several weed species were identified, and the data was used to calculate each species' average frequency, density, and percentage frequency. Twenty-two (22) weed species distributed among 20 genera and 15 families were identified from the different farmlands. The results showed that the most dominant species were Ageratum conyzoides, with an average frequency of 104.14, an average density of 0.124 and relative frequency of 31.95%; Oldenlandia corymbosa with an average frequency of 72.57, average density of 0.086 and relative frequency of 21.65% and Veronica serpyllifolia with an average frequency of 40.43, average density of 0.049 and relative frequency of 12.41. The least dominant species was Sida acuta, with an average frequency of 0.14, an average density of 0.000, and a relative frequency of 0.04, followed by Alternanthera philoxeroides, with an average frequency of 0.43, an average density of 0.001 and percentage frequency of 0.13. Poaceae, with four species, had the highest abundance of species. The results obtained from this study would help develop a weed control program and make informed decisions regarding herbicide selection.