Determination of importance value indices of some plant species using closest individual sampling techniques

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the Important Value Indices (IVI) of some plants in the University farm. Eighty plant stands belonging to three families (Musaceae, Caricaceae and Arecaceae) were identified. Their frequency and coverage percentage were measured within the sampling plot. Data obtained were subjected to Chi-square analysis to test for significance at 5% level of significance. The results indicated that the mean richness of Caricaceae, Arecaceae and Musaceae species in the study area were 3, 2 and 6, respectively. The highest (p<0.05) Floral Value Index of 90.52 was recorded in plantain group while the least value (22.40) was recoreded in coconut. The relative density ranged from 7.5 to 45 for the genus Cocos l. and Musa l. The highest Relative Frequency (46.03 %) was recorded for Musa l. and the least in Cocos l respectively. The Important Value Indices ranged between 20 and 152 which indicated that Igbariam had a very rich Agricultural soil for Economic plant development particularly for the families of Musaceae. The Musaceae showed the maximum IVI, hence the most important family among the studied plant species in the Agricultural farm plot. Thus, it is concluded that Musaceae, particularly plantain, should be given special consideration in prioritizing species for crop production in the study area.

Keywords: importance value index, family importance value, plant, species, Musaceae