A Survey of Passiflora foetida L. and Associated Weed Species on Arable Crops in Ballah, Southern Guinea Savanna Zone of Nigeria.

Abstract

A survey was conducted in the research field of the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training, Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife, Ballah sub-station in southern Guinea savanna of Nigeria during 2010 to 2011 cropping season with an objective to determine the relative abundance of Passiflora foetida L. and predict the potential of the weed species dominating arable fields. Passiflora foetida L. was found to be with a high percentage frequency of occurrence (16.99 %) and relative abundance ranging from 27.05 to 62.29 % at crop vegetative stage and 17.49 to 74.75 % during harvesting of arable crops. The fields of cowpea and soyabean had higher frequencies of occurrence of the alien weed compare with sole cassava and  maize plots and theirintercrops with lower frequencies of occurrence. This study advocated periodic observation of weed flora by farmers to ascertain cases of invasion of farmlands by alien  weed species to facilitate early management strategy that could limit spread of such weed species.

Keywords : Passiflora foetida, arable crop fields, associated weed species, Ballah