Floristic composition and phytosociology of weed flora in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) of Banda district of Uttar Pradesh

The present study was conducted to investigate weed flora diversity in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) at the farmer’s field of Barokharkhurd and Naraini block of Banda, Uttar Pradesh, India. This study identified and quantified the floristic composition of weeds in wheat. Weed infestation is one of the major biotic constraints in wheat production. Wheat is infested with diverse type of weed flora such as it grows under diverse cropping pattern, crop management and irrigation regime. In study site major weed observed were Cirsium arvence, Eclipta alba, Euphorbia dracunculoides, Phalaris minor, Avena fatua, Convolvulus arvensis, Cyperus rotundus, Cynodon dactylon. The number of monocot species recorded in the study was 4 (36%), while the number of dicot species was 7 (64%). Out of 11 weed species 8 were annual and remaining 3 were perennial. The frequency, density, abundance and their relative values studied. The results obtained indicated that Cyperus rotundus, Eclipta alba and Anagalis arvensis was the most important weed of wheat in both sites. Importance value index (IVI) value of Cyperus rotundus was 140.84 and 145.12 showing dominance of these weeds in both blocks. Shannon diversity index was highest (1.46). Weed flora in wheat of Barokharkhurd block when compared with Naraini block found more similar (0.95). Weed species was uniformly distributed in wheat crop of Naraini block than Barokharkhurd block as indicated by Evenness Index. Results obtained from this study would be useful in making an efficient weed management strategy and directing research toward new weed control measures.