Research Article

Management Studies of Noxious Weed (Asphodelus tenuifolius Cav.) In Chickpea Growing Areas of District Karak, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Abdullah*, Imtiaz Khan, Muhammad Ishfaq Khan, Muhammad Ibrahim and Muhammad Fawad

Department of Weed Science and Botany, The University of Agriculture Peshawar, 25130-Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.

Received | March 27, 2023; Accepted | June 05, 2023; Published | June 22, 2023

*Correspondence | Abdullah, Department of Weed Science and Botany, The University of Agriculture Peshawar, 25130-Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan; Email: abdulaup378@aup.edu.pk

Citation | Abdullah, I. Khan, M.I. Khan, M. Ibrahim and M. Fawad. 2023. Management studies of noxious weed (Asphodelus tenuifolius Cav.) in chickpea growing areas of district Karak, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Pakistan Journal of Weed Science Research, 39(2): 64-71.

DOI | https://dx.doi.org/10.17582/journal.PJWSR/2023/29.2.64.71

Keywords | Asphodelus tenuifolius Cav., Chickpea, Importance value, Relative density, Relative frequency

Copyright: 2023 by the authors. Licensee ResearchersLinks Ltd, England, UK.

This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

Introduction

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), also known as Gram or Bengal gram is a member of the Fabaceae family (Anonymous, 2020). It is a substantial cool winter legume crop grown in many countries and geographic regions around the globe (Kanatas and Gazoulis, 2022). Due to its ability of fixing nitrogen, the chickpea crop provides a substantial source of nutritional protein for humans and is crucial for managing soil fertility. It is well known that chickpea is a rich source of protein, dietary fibers, carbohydrates, minerals and vitamins. Chickpea contains 15 to 22% proteins (USDA, 2021). Chickpeas are grown in over forty countries around the world (Soomro et al., 2021). In Pakistan, the total area under cultivation of chickpeas for the 2020 crop year was 0.940 million hectares and production was approximately 0.54 million tonnes. The province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa produced 18.6 thousand tonnes of chickpeas on 29 thousand hectares of land, with an average grain yield of 643 kg ha-1 (Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, 2020).

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is the region of Pakistan where chickpeas are the most significant pulse crop. In contrast to other countries that produce chickpeas, Pakistan average yield of such legumes is incredibly low. The main reasons for low chickpea production in Pakistan are lack of organic matter in the soil, lack of nutrients, soil erosion, improper tillage practices and weed management (Khan and Khan, 2013). Among all the yield limiting factors weeds are the significant biotic constraints which reduce the productivity of chickpea (Kaushik et al., 2014). Major weeds include Asphodelus tenuifolius CAV., Carthamus oxycantha M. Bieb., Medicago denticulata Willd., Anagallis arvensis, Lathyrus aphaca L. Euphorbia helioscopia L., Convolvulus arvensis L., Cyprus rotundus, Vicia sativa L. Ehrh., Cynodon dactylon L. Pers. and Fumaria indica Hausskn (Hassan et al., 2018.).

Asphodelus tenuifolius Cav. is a highly invasive weed species that predominates in Pakistan sandy areas and strives with the chickpea crop during its growing season. This weed species causes a 45% average annual loss in chickpea production (Khan et al., 2011). There are fifteen different crops where A. tenuifolius Cav. is a serious weed (Khan et al., 2008). In District Karak and Lakki Marwat, A. tenuifolius Cav. was the most common weed of chickpea (Hassan and Khan, 2005). A. tenuifolius Cav. was found to cause a decline in chickpea yield of about 80% (Tewari et al., 2001). A. tenuifolius Cav. pointed out that the competition for rain-fed chickpea is worse in the first 60 days after sowing (Yaduraju et al., 2000). Due to the dry and worm climatic conditions, the southern area of Pakistan is ideal for chickpea cultivation. Chickpea is primarily grown in the arid regions of Lakki Marwat, Bannu, Karak, Malakand, Kulachi and D.I. Khan in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (Ali et al., 2018; Shengu et al., 2018).

The study goal was to identify the most competitive weeds in district Karak, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, that were causing yield losses in the chickpea crop. This was done in light of the losses caused by weeds in the chickpea crop. To determine the ideal time when the most weed germination occurs and causes severe infestation, and to implement the right management measures for controlling the concern weeds problem in chickpea.

Materials and Methods

In Pakistan, one of the key regions for the production of chickpeas is District Karak, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province. Winter crops includes, chickpea and wheat, while summer crops includes, sorghum and pearl. The district southern half is sandy with little rainfall, while the northern half is hilly and receives more of it. The primary crop in the district sandy belt is chickpea. Five chickpea growing areas were randomly selected from the chickpea growing area of district Karak. All the designated areas were rain-fed and mostly sandy in nature. At these locations, no chemical has ever been applied during the crop growing season. Weed density was measured seven to eight weeks after chickpea seeding and from the same information, relative weed density (%), weed frequency (%), relative weed frequency (%) and importance value (IV) of weed species were calculated.

Three fields of chickpeas were randomly chosen from each of the designated sites and surveyed using, with minor modifications, the techniques described by (McCully et al., 1991; Thomas, 1985, 1991). In each field, five quadrates measuring (33 x 33 cm2) was randomly arranged in an inverted horizontal pattern. According to the size, shape, as well as any potential obstacles in the fields, the distance between each quadrate fluctuated. The space between quadrates was increase as the size of the field increases.

Data on the following weed parameters was collected during the course of the studies.

Weeds parameter

1. Weed density (m-2)

2. Relative density (%)

3. Frequency (%)

4. Relative frequency (%)

5. Importance value (IV)

Weed density m-2

The data for weed density was recorded. Each subplot was containing a quadrate of size 33 x 33 cm2 thrown at 3 randomly designated locations, and the means was calculated from three observations.

Relative density % (RD)

The quadrate was randomly placed three to four times in each experiment plot to measure the relative weed density. Within the quadrate, weeds were recorded, recognized, and later converted to a percent relative weed density.

Weed frequency % (WF)

The total number of samples containing a plant expressed as a percentage of all samples observed. Data on weed frequency was collected using quadrates.

Relative frequency % (RF)

The relative frequency of a particular species is expressed as a percentage of the overall frequency of all species, and this is known as relative frequency.

Importance value (IV)

The following formula was used to calculate the importance value of the weed species.

Results and Discussion

Weed density (m-2)

In Figure 1 data showed that there are diverse levels of weed density in the various study locations. Data regarding various location show that the highest weed density (18.05 m-2) was recorded at Takht-e-Nasrati succeeded by Hada (17.37 m-2), while, the lowest weed density (16.13 m-2) was recorded at Titer Khel. Among the weed species the highest weed density (55.2 m-2) was recorded for Asphodelus tenuifolius Cav., followed by Medicago denticulata Willd. (24.4 m-2) plants. The variation in the relative number of species encountered in the study area was also noted. According to the mean, Asphodelus tenuifolius Cav. and Medicago denticulata Willd. have the highest density among the weed species. The least significant weeds in the areas under study were Cynodon dactylon L., Vicia sativa L. Ehrh., Fumaria indica, Hausskn and Euphorbia helioscopia L. as shown in (Table 1). Similarly, increasing the density of A. tenuifolius Cav. will reduce chickpea yield (Sibtain et al., 2015). The findings are consistent with those of Punia et al. (2009), who discovered the highest weed density (m-2) of A. tenuifolius Cav. in a chickpea crop. The reduction in yield caused by weed-crop competition is mostly determined by weed species and densities, as well as crop species (Tauseef et al., 2012).

 

 

Relative weed density (%)

According to the data, all five of the district Karak localities that were looked at during the survey were more diverse than the other localities. In Figure 2 relative weed density (%) of weed species was presented. According to the results of the current study, A. tenuifolius Cav., M. denticulata Willd., L. aphaca L., E. helioscopia L., C. arvensis L., V. sativa L. Ehrh., C. dactylon L. Pers. and F. indica Hausskn were all present at five places throughout district Karak. Among the weed species the highest relative weed density (64.2 %) was noted for A. tenuifolius Cav., followed by M. denticulata Willd. (29.2 %). Whereas, E. helioscopia L. was found to have the lowest relative weed density (3.5 %). These are the weeds that are prevalent in district Karak as displayed in (Table 2). Furthermore, data from various sites show that Takht-e-Nasrati has the highest relative weed density (22.05 %), followed by Hada (21.12 %). While Ambiri Kala has the lowest relative weed density (19.72 %). Likewise, the worst weed mostly in Karak is A. tenuifolius Cav. and Masha Mansoor reported the highest relative weed density (Hassan et al., 2010). The distinctive weed spectrum, composition, and number of each region are determined by the various environmental constraints (Memon et al., 2007).

Weed frequency % (WF)

In our study site, as shown in Figure 3, a variety of weed species were present. In the current study, it was reported that A. tenuifolius Cav., M. denticulata Willd. and C. arvensis L. had the maximum numbers of weeds. Among the weed species the worst weed of chickpea in district Karak was A. tenuifolius Cav., which had an 86% frequency, trailed by M. denticulata Willd (64 %). While for E. helioscopia L., the lowest weed frequency (6 %) was observed. According to data from various localities, Takht-e-Nasrati recorded the maximum weed frequency (43.75%), followed by

 

Table 1: Weed density (m-2) of weed species in chickpea in 5 different locations in the district of Karak.

Weed species	Hada	Ambiri kala	Chokara	Titer Khel	Takht-e Nasrati	Mean
Asphodelus tenuifolius Cav.	57.3	45.5	55.3	55.3	62.6	55.2
Medicago denticulata Willd.	36.1	17.3	33.7	13.4	21.5	24.4
Lathyrus aphaca L.	13.2	16.4	10.2	3.7	15.5	11.8
Convolvulus arvensis L.	15.4	15.6	14.8	18.5	21.3	17.12
Cynodon dactylon L. Pers.	0	3.8	0	10.9	0	2.94
Vicia sativa L. Ehrh.	5.4	8.4	10.2	3.4	8.4	7.16
Fumaria indica Hausskn	11.6	14.6	7.5	14.6	15.1	12.68
Euphorbia helioscopia L.	0	9.2	0	9.3	0	3.7
Mean	17.37	16.35	16.46	16.13	18.05

 

Table 2: Relative weed density (%) of weed species in chickpea in 5 different locations in the district of Karak.

Weed species	Hada	Ambiri Kala	Chokara	Titer Khel	Takht-e-Nasrati	Mean
Asphodelus tenuifolius Cav.	65.3	58.5	60.3	62.3	74.6	64.2
Medicago denticulata Willd.	40.1	22.3	38.7	19.4	25.5	29.2
Lathyrus aphaca L.	18.2	20.4	16.2	9.7	20.5	17
Convolvulus arvensis L.	20.4	24.6	22.8	23.5	26.3	23.52
Cynodon dactylon L. Pers.	0	9.8	0	15.9	0	5.14
Vicia sativa L. Ehrh.	10.4	7.4	15.2	8.4	13.4	10.96
Fumaria indica Hausskn	14.6	9.6	10.5	10.6	16.1	12.28
Euphorbia helioscopia L.	0	5.2	0	12.3	0	3.5
Mean	21.12	19.72	20.46	20.26	22.05

 

Hada (38.75%). On the other hand, Ambiri Kala had the lowest relative weed frequency (30.87%). In light of the findings, it may be concluded that weeds of all species are found throughout as shown in (Table 3). Similarly, according to Hassan et al. (2006), A. tenuifolius Cav. was the most common weed in Karak district and had a 100% frequency. A. tenuifolius Cav. infestations were particularly severe at Bhaun, Kot Sarang, and Dudyal, according to Sultan and Nasir (2007).

 

Relative weed frequency (%)

In Figure 4 relative weed frequency (%) is the best way of indication for the occurrence of weed species in study region. In terms of the weed species, A. tenuifolius Cav. had the highest relative weed frequency (45.2%), followed by M. denticulata Willd. (17.0%) and C. arvensis L. (13.2%). Whereas, E. helioscopia L. and C. dactylon L. Pers. had the lowest relative weed frequency 1.2% and 2.2%, respectively. According to data based on localities, Takht-e-Nasrati had the highest relative weed frequency (53.5%), followed by Hada (51.3%). While Ambiri kala registered the lowest relative weed frequency (31.7%). In perspective of the district Karak yield of chickpeas, the remaining weeds listed in (Table 4) had a minor phytosociological status and were comparatively insignificant. Likewise, Hassan et al. (2006) discovered a rich weed flora in district Karak as well as the greatest relative weed frequency (%) of A. tenuifolius Cav.

 

Table 3: Weed frequency (%) of weed species in chickpea in 5 different locations in the district of Karak.

Weed species	Hada	Ambiri Kala	Chokara	Titer Khel	Takht-e-Nasrati	Mean
Asphodelus tenuifolius Cav.	100	80	70	80	100	86
Medicago denticulata Willd.	70	40	60	70	80	64
Lathyrus aphaca L.	30	30	20	30	30	28
Convolvulus arvensis L.	60	40	50	40	70	52
Cynodon dactylon L. Pers.	0	20	0	30	0	10
Vicia sativa L. Ehrh.	10	10	40	10	40	22
Fumaria indica Hausskn	40	17	10	18	30	23
Euphorbia helioscopia L.	0	10	0	20	0	6
Mean	38.75	30.87	31.25	37.25	43.75

 

Table 4: Relative weed frequency (%) of weed species in chickpea in 5 different locations in the district of Karak.

Weed species	Hada	Ambiri Kala	Chokara	Titer Khel	Takht-e-Nasrati	Mean
Asphodelus tenuifolius Cav.	51.3	31.7	41.1	48.4	53.5	45.2
Medicago denticulata Willd.	15.2	18.5	18.3	13.8	19.4	17.0
Lathyrus aphaca L.	12.5	11.5	13.2	14.4	6.2	11.5
Convolvulus arvensis L.	11.5	14.7	15.1	8.1	16.6	13.2
Cynodon dactylon L. Pers.	0	8.3	0	2.8	0	2.2
Vicia sativa L. Ehrh.	5.3	3.3	8.5	5.2	2.8	5.0
Fumaria indica Hausskn	4.2	7.7	3.8	5.2	1.5	4.4
Euphorbia helioscopia L.	0	4.3	0	2.1	0	1.2

 

Table 5: Importance values wise ranking of weed species in chickpea in 5 different locations in the district of Karak.

Weed species	Hada	Ambiri Kala	Chokara	Titer Khel	Takht-e-Nasrati	Mean	Ranking
Asphodelus tenuifolius Cav.	58.3	50.1	50.7	55.3	64.0	55.7	1
Medicago denticulata Willd.	26.6	20.4	30.5	16.6	22.4	23.3	2
Lathyrus aphaca L.	15.3	17.4	14.7	12.0	13.3	14.5	4
Convolvulus arvensis L.	15.9	19.6	18.9	15.8	21.4	18.3	3
Cynodon dactylon L. Pers.	0	9.0	0	9.3	0	3.6	7
Vicia sativa L. Ehrh.	5.8	7.8	11.8	6.8	8.1	8.0	6
Fumaria indica Hausskn	9.4	12.6	7.1	11.9	8.8	9.9	5
Euphorbia helioscopia L.	0	9.2	0	7.2	0	3.2	8

 

Importance value of weeds

An effective way to determine the status of a certain weed species in a community is to look at its importance value. The importance value is an effective way to draw attention to the significance of the weedy vegetation that hinders the growth and development of the chickpea crop. In Figure 5 data indicated that A. tenuifolius Cav. had the highest important value, with a value of (55.7 %), preceded by M. denticulata Willd. (23.3 %), while E. helioscopia L. (3.2 %) and C. dactylon L. Pers. (3.6%) had the lowest importance values, respectively. However, the slightly higher values obtained by C. arvensis L. (18.3 %), L. aphaca L. (14.5 %) and F. indica Hausskn (9.9 %) displayed in (Table 5). These findings are consistent with those of Khan et al. (2011) and Sultan and Nasir (2003), who separately detected several weed communities in chickpea fields in the districts of Peshawar and Chakwal. High density of weeds in the fields could pose serious problems for chickpea production in the future. In order to slow down the growth and yield of the associated crop, the weed species with high importance values may compete more effectively (Kumara, 2016).

Conclusions and Recommendations

The survey was conducted in district Karak, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province during winter season, 2022. A. tenuifolius Cav., M. denticulata Willd., L. aphaca L., E. helioscopia L., C. arvensis L., V. sativa L. Ehrh, C. dactylon L. Pers. and F. indica Hasskn are the major weeds infesting the chickpea fields in district Karak. Therefore, the precise control of this weed needed to achieve potential chickpea yield.

Acknowledgement

Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF) is highly acknowledged for the financial support of this study under the research project entitled “Management studies of noxious weed (Asphodelus tenuifolius cav.) in chickpea growing areas of District Karak, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan”. The University of Agriculture Peshawar and Department of Weed Science & Botany is also acknowledged for providing research related facilities for conducting this research.

Novelty Statement

The current findings revealed that the Asphodelus tenuifolius has been identified as a one of the most troublesome weed in southern districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. This weed substantially reduces chickpea productivity in District Karak. Therefore, the precise control of this weed needed to achieve potential chickpea yield.

Author’s Contribution

Abdullah: Performed data analysis, writing, figure and table development, and interpretation.

Imtiaz Khan: Developed the research concept, set the study’s goals, and supervised all aspects of its completion.

Muhammad Ishfaq Khan: The manuscript was critically evaluated and modified.

Muhammad Ibrahim: Participated in collecting data, conducted experiments, and collected results from experiments.

Muhammad Fawad: Conducted an extensive review of relevant literature and contributed to the revision of the manuscript.

Conflict of interest

The authors have declared no conflict of interest.

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