AN ECOLOGICAL SURVEY OF THE WEED FLORA IN THE MAJOR ROOT CROP AREAS IN THE PHILIPPINES

Abstract

Different root crop-growing areas in the Philippines were surveyed during the wet season to determine the weed species associated with different root and tuber crops, namely, sweet potato, cassava, yam and white potato. Wet season quantitative vegetation analysis of weed species associated with root crops in the Philippines has shown the existence of 8 weed community types, namely: Cyperus rotundus, Paspalum conjugatum, Ageratina adenophora, Pennisetum polystach-yon, Digitaria sanguinalis, Dactyloctenium aegyptium, Eragrostis tenallla, and Desmodium triflorium. A total of 70 weed species was encountered in the quantitative vegetation analysis. Some environmental factors such as pH, climatic type, soil type, weed control practices and elevation were determined to explain the community patterns.