Weeds and Botanical Names – Definition, Effects & Importance

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In this class we are going to be looking at Weeds and botanical names, Definition, effects and importance of weeds In Agriculture.

WHAT IS WEED

Definition: Weeds can be defined as any plant that grows in a place where it is not expected to grow or a plant which grows out of place. Weeds can also be defined as a plant that grows where it is not desired in such a way that it is constitute nuisance either to man, livestock or crops.

All farmers have to work hard to prevent their crops from being invaded by weeds. Losses in crop yield due to waves may be greater than those due to plant pests and diseases. If a farmer fails to control weed growth, the chances of successful crop production are seriously reduced.

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EFFECTS OF WEEDS AND BOTANICAL NAMES

The harm done by weed is mainly their competition with crops. The effects or economic importance of weeds and botanical names include the following:

  1. It compete with crops for sunlight: Weeds are capable of producing many large leaves which shade crops seedling and therefore reduce the amount of sunlight which is available for photosynthesis
  2. It complete with crops for space: when a young crop in developing, rapidly crowd and smothers the Crop, and the space needed for healthy growth is reduced.
  3. Weeds compete with crops for nutrients: The roots of the weeds rapidly develop and remove a considerable proportion of the available plant nutrients thereby reducing the healthy growth of the crops.
  4. Compete with crops for soil moisture: Their roots are capable of developing fast and removing a large portion of soil moisture required for the normal growth of the crops.compete with crops for soil Oxygen; Weeds are capable of developing long root which remove a considerable amount of oxygen required for crops respiration.
  5. Losses in crop yields: The combined competition of weeds with crops eventually will result in low yield of crops.
  6. It harbour crop pests and diseases: Some weeds may harbour crops pest and diseases by acting as host i.e. providing the insects with food when crops are not available.
  7. Losses in income of farmers: The low yield, coupled with the reduction in the quality of produce, and increased cost of controlling the weeds consequently lead to losses in income of the Farmers.
  8. Losses in quality of Crops: The quality of harvest crops will reduce and this will affect the market value of such crops.
  9. Reduction in the palatability of grasses; It also invade pastures reducing the palatability of useful grasses.
  10. Some weeds are toxic to farm animals: The leaves and stems of some weeds contain toxins which may be dangerous to farm animals.
  11. Weeds compete with crops for soil oxygen: Weeds are capable of developing long root which remove a considerable amount of oxygen required for crop root respiration

IMPORTANCE OF WEEDS

  1. Some can act as cover crops.
  2. Some are used as forage grasses and legumes for feeding farm animals.
  3. Some are used to prepare compost and green manure.
  4. Some can help to control soil erosion.
  5. Medicinal use.
  6. wildlife habitat
  7. Soil improvement.
  8. Cultural use.

WEEDS AND BOTANICAL NAMES

Common weeds found in Farm including their common names and botanical names are as follows;

  • Guinea grass — panicum maximum
  • Bahama grass — cynodon dactylon.
  • sensitive plants — mimosa pundica.
  • carpet grass — Axonopus compressus.
  • spear grass — imperata cylindrica.
  • Wire grass — aspilia africana.
  • Centro — centrosema pubescens.
  • Blue flower — commelina nudiflora.
  • Stubborn weeds — sida acuta.
  • Stubborn grass — Eleucine indica.
  • Goat weed — Ageratum coniziods.
  • Elephant grass — penisetum purpureum.
  • Giant star grass — Cynodon plactostachyum.
  • Pig weeds — Boerhavia diffusa.
  • Bush Green — amaranthus spinosus.
  • Water leaf — Talinum triangulare.
  • Sedget Plant — Cyperus rotamdus.
  • Tridax — Tridax procumbens.
  • Calopo — Calopogonium mucunoids.
  • Northern Gamba — Andropogon gayanus.
  • Sun Hemp — Crotalaria juncea.
  • Mucuna — Mucuna utilis.
  • Stylo —Stylosanthes gracilis.
  • Southern gamba — Andropogon tectorum.
  • Kudzu or Puero — Pueraria phaseoloides.
  • Broom weed. —- sida acuta
  • Bur weed — acanthospermum hispidum
  • Emilia — Emilia sonchifolia
  • Striga — striga senegalensis.
  • Soft weed — erogratic tenella
  • Siam weed. — chromoleana odorata.
  • Goose grass or Africana — eluesine indica
  • Bush marigold — aspilia Africana
  • Wild green — amaranthus spinous
  • Tropical kudzu — calopogonium mucunoides
  • Wild potato or morning glory — ipomea spp.

Characteristics and Growth Habits of selected Weeds

Weeds often possess characteristics which increase their growth habit and mode of dispersal. Factors which aid the growth habits of weed includes:

  1. Production of large quantities of seeds. Most annual weeds usually produce a large quantity of seed which germinate and grow rapidly.
  2. Some weeds reproduced by seed: Most weeds are deep rooted and reproduce themselves by seeds. This mode of sexual reproduction enhances their spread and growth.
  3. Some weeds reproduced by vegetative propagation: Most perennial weeds, example: grasses are usually propagated by means of rhizomes or stolons which spread rapidly.
  4. Growth of large leaves within a short time: Rapidly growing weeds may produce many relatively large leaves within a short time. This may shade the seedlings of crop plants, if they are not controlled early.
  5. Weed growth is favored during rainy seasons: Most weeds germinate and grow rapidly during the rainy season as water is available in sufficient quantity to enhance their growth and spread.
  6. Most weeds are wind pollinated: Most weeds are pollinated by wind and this enhances The spread without hindrances, e.g, tridax.
  7. Production of large quantities of pollen grains: Most weeds have small, inconspicuous and odourless flowers which produce large quantity of pollen grains.
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