Systematic composition, life forms and chorology of fallow lands in Eastern Senegal and Casamance, Senegal

Abstract

Fallow plays an important role in weed flora management and soil fertility restoration. The aim of this study was to determine the structure of flora through systematic composition, life forms and chorology distribution. Thus, phytosociological surveys were carried out during 2015 and 2016 crop years on station in Eastern Senegal, Upper Casamance and Middle Casamance. The results revealed that flora consisted of 109 species distributed in 64 genera and 19 families. Dicotyledon was the most important form. Indeed, it represented 69% of the species, 69% of the genera and 79% of the families. This flora was more diverse in Kolda where it was composed of 91 species, distributed in 57 genera and 15 families. In Sefa, the flora contained 52 species, 38 genera and 11 families while in Sinthiou Maleme, the flora is rich of 43 species, 31 genera and 9 families. The overall analysis of the biological spectrum showed a large dominance of therophytes (78.9%) followed by phanerophytes (9.2%) and hemicryptophytes (6.4%). The biogeographical distribution of the species revealed that african species (49 species) were the most important and followed by pantropical species (29 species). The present study allowed pointing out the flora of fallow lands in Eastern Senegal and Casamance which is essential before elaboration of any management plan for improving crop production.

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Keywords: Fallow, weed flora, systematic composition, Senegal