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Pak. J. Bot., 44(4): 1375-1379, 2012.

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PERSISTENCE OF SOME WEED SPECIES FROM WHEAT (TRITICUM AESTIVUM L.) MONOCULTURE VIA SOIL SEED RESERVES

SEEMA MAHMOOD^*, ASMA HUSSAIN AND SAEED AHMAD MALIK

Abstract: The relationship between soil seed reserves and degree of infestation by common weed species (Avena fatua L., Convolvulus arvensis L., Cyperus rotundus Pers., Fumaria parviflora Lamk., Phalaris minor Ritz. and Solanum nigrum L.) was assessed for from five wheat fields.  Soil sampling was carried out before sowing season in fields where wheat crop was grown. Soil from two profiles (0-8 and 8-15cm) was taken from five sites within each field and seed bank size was estimated via seedling emergence. A considerable number of viable weed seeds of the species were quantified from both soil profiles.   More viable seeds were found in the lower soil profile than the surface layer. C. rotundus had the greatest seed bank size followed by C. arvensis, F. parviflora and A. fatua, respectively. S. nigrum had the lowest values for the attribute. The study indicated that seed reserves of these species can be a major source of weed infestation in wheat fields. It is likely that seeds are transferred to the surface layer by tillage and give rise new weed population that cause infestation. Moreover, seed population seems to be demographically well adapted through fecundity, seed size and longer viability. The study suggested an integrated approach for weed management and control to minimize yield losses particularly in situations where weed species persist through soil seed reserves. 

Institute of Pure and Applied Biology, Bahaudin Zakariya University, Multan

^*Corresponding author’s e-mail: drseemapk@gmail.com