WEED FLORA OF JOBNER

Transcription

1 WEED FLORA OF JOBNER M. R. BAJPAI & J. K. VERMA Department of Agronomy, S. K. N. Oollegeof Agriculture, Jobner INTRODUCTION Weeds are a serious problem in areas of shifting sand in arid and semiarid regions where aeolian deposition is a recurring 'feature. Innumerable tiny weed seeds are carried long distances by the blowing sand and deposited in cropped lands. In seasons when climatic and soil moisture conditions become favourable, weeds grow and multiply reproducing at an amazing rate from seeds, root fragments, tubers, rhizomes, stolons and clumps. The Agricultural Reseach Service of the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture put out a preliminary appraisal of losses due to weeds in American Agriculture. The percentage reduction in potential value has been estimated to be about 10 % in major field crops, 9.1 % in pastures and ranges and 7.4 % increase in tillage costs (Shaw, 1954). In the present investigation the weed flora, the association of weeds with local crops and their recurrence in different seasons of the year are reported. EXPERIMENTAL A preliminary survey of weed flora was made f:9r three consecutive years from on the farm lands and adjoining area of S. K. N. College of Agriculture, Jobner (Jaipur ) in winter, summer and rainy seasons. The floristic composition and association of the weeds with local crops and seasons of the year were also observed. The species are listed under <taxonomical account'. Only weeds of major importance are included in the accompanying text and studies in regard to other weeds particularly of the monocots are being continued. ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS Jobner town lies on 75.3 east longitude and 2685 north latitude. The climate of the place is typically semi-arid characterized by extremes of temperature both in summer and in winter. Summer maximum temperatures range from 250 to 40 C. In winters the minimum temperatures fall down as low as _1 C. The average rainfall of the locality is about 400 mm which is mostly received in rainy season from July to September.

2 170 M. R. BAJPAI AND J. K. VERMA The topography is undulating due to sand drifting and its recurring depositions. The soils of the tract are coarse textured and have been classed as sandy. They are poor in organic matter and nitrogen, and have very low water holding capacity. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION The studies show that in cropped lands the number of herbaceous annuals exceeds that of perennial woody or shrubby type weeds. In both seasons annual weeds grow more profusely and offer a severe competition to the crops. Weeds which persist through winter and summer have developed xerophytic habits and are more adaptable to adverse environmental conditions. They are mostly perennials and flourish even under limited moisture conditions. Cynodon dactylon, Cyperus rotundus and Saccharum spontaneum are most obnoxious weeds which persist throughout the year. Zizyphus nummularia, Pluchea lanceolatf\, Alhagi camelorum and Crotalaria burhia grow luxuriantly even in the hot summer period when practically all herbaceous species succumb to the scorching heat. They are a great nuisance in irrigated farming smothering crops heavily and hindering tillage operations. Tephrosia purpurea, Crotalaria burhia, and Erianthus munja are associated with barani conditions. Pluchea lanceolata favours slightly saline and alkaline conditions while Saccharum spontaneum flourishes on comparatively heavier soils. Trees like Prosopis spicigera, Acacia arabica and shrubs such as Capparis decidua, Leptadenia pyrotechnica, Saccharum sps, Euphorbia sps, Calotropis procera have developed xerophytic habits and are abundant on sand dunes and uncultivated lands. They are, however, good soil binders against sand drifting and may be effectively used for desert immobilization. Pluchea lanceolata and Alhagi camelorum also form a good soil cover during summer. Dodder is a serious parasite at times on woody shrubs and trees used as fuel in this region. Besides the perennial weeds, numerous herbaceous annuals particularly Trianthema sp., Cenchrus sp., Corchorus sp, Amaranthus sp., Digera arvensis. Celosia argentea, Giesekia pharnaceoides, Euphorbia sp, Tribulus terrestris, Phyllanthus niruri, Sorghum halepense and several grasses belonging to the genera Panicum, Eleusine, Setaria and Andropogon spring up with the advent of monsoon forming a dense cover and making cultivation of kharif crops difficult unless weeding and hoeing is performed several times at short intervals during the period July to September. Striga lutea is a serious parasite on pearl millet and appears when the crop acquires sufficient height. The damage caused by this weed is considerable and reckoned upto 100 per cent in some cases. Sorghum halepense is a serious weed in millet and pulse crops. At times it is

3 WEED FLORA OF JOBNER 171 fatally poisonous in its early stages and endangers the life of the farm cattle. Xanthium strumarium is a tall, dense growing weed in crop fallows, on roadsides and in waste lands. Cenchrus, Eleusine, Andropogon and Panicum sp. are common among kharif crops. These grasses have a great economic value for this tract. They provide a rich palatable fodder for grazing animals and make good hay on drying. Moreover, they form a dense cover against soil erosion in summer and rainy season. Erianthus munja is a perennial weed commonly found in cropped areas and waste lands. Weeds which are very common in the rainy season (July-November) are Giesekia pharnaceoides, Achyranthes aspera, Celosia argentea, Echinops echinatus, Blumea lacera, HeIianthus annuus, Tridax procumbens, Vernonia cinerea, Wedelia calendulosa, Xanthium strumarium, Dhatura fastuosa, Commelina sp., Ipomoea sp., Cleome viscosa, Gynandropsis gynandra, Citrullus colocynthis, Coccinia indica, Cucumis callosus, Momordica dioica, Cyperus rotun.dus, Euphorbia sp. Phyllanthus niruri, Dicanthium annulatum, Cenchrus sp., Cynodon dactylon, Eleusine indica, Saccharum sp~>ntaneum, Erianthus munja, Anisomeles indica, Anisomeles malabarica, Leucas aspera, Cassia auriculata, Crotalaria burhia, Boerhavia diffusa, Striga lut.::a, Striga euphrasioides, Corchorus sp. Tribulus terrestris, Dhatura stramonium, Capparis horrida, Trianthema sp. Physalis minima, Zizyphus nummularia, Solanum xanthocarpum, Zizyphus rugosa, S. nigrum, Vicoa vestida,justicia procumbens, Sorghum halepense, Digera arvensis, Withania somnifera, Amarantus blitum, Calotropis procera, Digitaria sp., Setaria glauca, Abrus precatorius, Alhagi camelorum, Sesbania aegyptiaca, Tephrosia purpurea, Abutilon indicum, Portulaca oleracea, Leptadenia pyrotechnica, and Portulaca quadrifida. Comparatively fewer weeds are found in winter, viz; Argemone mexicana, Chenopodium album, C.murale, Asphodelus tenuifolius,,launaea asplenifolia, Convolvulus arvensis, Lathyrus sp., Melilotus alba, Anagallis arvensis, which are some of the noxious weeds. Orobanche is a common root parasite on crucifers and tobacco and Cuscuta on lucerne. Sonchus oleraceus is intimately associated with berseem. Convolvulus arvensis is a serious weed in gram crop. Weeds which are common in the winter season (October'-March) are Amaranthus sp. Pluchea lanceolata, Zizyphus nummularia, Launaea asplenifolia, Convolvulus arvensis, Sonchus arvensis, Chenopodium album, Chenopodium murale, Cynodon dactylon, Asphodelus tenuifolius, Saccharum spontaneum, Erianthus munja, Imperata cylindrica, Spergula arvensis, Alhagi camelorum, Lathyrus aphaca, Melilotus alba, Lathyrus sativa, Orobanche cernua, Argemone mexicana, Anagallis arvensis, Dhatura stramonium, Tephrosia purpurea. Solanum sp., Cyperus rotundus, Leptadenia pyrotechnica, Calotropis sp., and Desmodium triflorum.

4 172 M. R. BAJPAI AND J. K. VERMA In summer (March to June) the following weeds are common viz., Cynodon dactylon, Cyperus rotundus, Pluchea lanceolata, Crotalaria burhia, :,accharum spontaneum, Erianthus munja, Calotropis procera, Wedelia calendulosa, Helianthus annuus, Imperata cyiindrica, Leptadenia pyrotechnica, Zizyphus nummularia. Capparis decidua, Abutilon indicum, Urena lobata, BarIeria prionitis, Euphorbia sp., and Eragrostis sp. SUMMARY Preliminary studies of the weed flora of Jobner ljaipur) and adjoining areas were conducted during in field crops and uncultivated lands. Abeut 117 species belonging to 28 families are reported to be the major weeds of the tract. Herbaceous annuals outnumber perennial or woody weeds. The preponderance of weeds in rainy season is much more than in winter and summer. Many obnoxiolli1weeds like Saccharum spontaneum, Cynodon dactylon, Cyperus rotundus and Pluchea lanceolata persist through summer. Edaphic conditions influence the floristic composition and recurrence of weeds. Seasonal variations in flora did not indicate any consistent trend in weed-crop association except in a few cases. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The authors are thankful to Dr. N. Prasad, M.Sc., Ph.D., Associate Dean, S.K.N. College of Agriculture, Jobner and the Director of Research, University of Udaipur for encouragement and guidance during the course of the inves. tigation. REFERENCES l. Anonymous Report of the Agriculture Research Dept. United States Chamber of Commerce. Quoted by Robbins et al. 2. Robbins, W. W., A. S. Crafts, R. N. Raynor 'Weed Control' New York, McGraw-Hill Book Co., 2nd Ed Shaw, B. T LOJses in Agriculture. A preliminary appraisal for review. U. S. Dept. of Agriculture, Agric. Res. Service. Mimeo. Report ARS TAXONOMICAL ACCOUNT PAPAVERACEAE Argemone mexica.na L. Prickly Poppy, Satyanash.i u. reproduces FUMARIACEAE Winter annual, prickly herb Fumaria parviflora Hk. l!'umitory, Pitpapra.u Annual winter herb; aromatic. Local vernacular (marwari) names are marked with two ** with one asterisk * asterisks and Hindi names

5 WEED FLORA OF JOBNER 173 Gleome ViSC08aL. Pila hulhul. U CAPPARIDACEAE Annual herb in rainy season aromatic; reproduces Gynandrop8i8 gynandra (Linn.) Briq. Saled hulhul. Annual herb in rainy season, aromatic; reproduces Gapparis decidua (Forsk.) Pax. (G. aphylla Roth.) Kareel, Kareer." woody, perennial, spiny shrub 10-15' high. G. horrida L. Hee8.** Woody perennial, spiny shrub, 10-15' high. CARYOPHYLLACEAE Spergula arven8is L. Spurry. Gajri."" Annual small winter herb. PORTULACACEAE Portulaca oleracea L. Parsley, Bara noonia.** A rainy season, fleshy leaved prostrate herb. P. quadrifida L. Parsley. Ghhota noonia.** Procumbent fleshy, rainy season herb. MALVACEAE Abutilon indicum G. Don. Country Mallow. Kanghi.-* Perennial shrub; height 3-5', yields fibre. A. glaucum (Cav.) Sweet. Indian Mallow. Kanghi.** Perennial shrub 2-4' high; Urena lobata L. Bariari, Banokra. U Perennial shrub 2-4' height; abundant. TILIACEAE Gorchorus trilocularis L. Wild Jute. Annual herb in rainy season, I-I!' 'high, erect, much branched, reproduces G. tridens L. Wild Jute. Annual herb in rainy season mm high. ~YGOPHYLLACEAE Tribulus terrestris L. Puncture vine. Gokhroo. Prostrate, spreading, annual herb in rainy season, reproduces by seeds; fruits spiny. T. alatu8 Del. Puncture vine. Gokhroo.** Annual prostrate herb, fruits winged and smooth. RHAMNACEAE Zizyphus nummularia (Burm. f.) W. & A. Jharberi.* Perennial, prickly shrub, 1-2' high, drought resistant; reproduces by seeds and stolons.

6 174 M. R. BAJPAI AND J. K. VERMA Z. rugosa Lamk. Ber.* Perennial spiny shrub, reproduces Oassia tora L. Panwar. Erect annual herb in rainy 'ieason 2-3' high, reproduces CAESALPINIACEAE O. auriculata L. Panwar.* Annual; abundant; 2-3' high. MIMOSACEAE Prosopis spicige1"ll. Khejri, Sengar.** Tall, armed tree 8-15' high.; reproduces by seeds. Acacia arabica Willd. Babool, Kikar.** Tall, erect, branched, armed tree having stipular spines; bark used in tanning leather. A. senegal Willd. Vilayati Babool.* Small, spiny tree, abundant; reproduces PAPILIONACEAE Orotalaria burhia Hamilt. Sanaia. * Small, glaucous perennial; leaves linear and thick; drought resistant; reproduces by seeds and stolons. O. medicaginea Lamk. Ghaghri.* Small annual herb with rounded fruits; reproduces Melilotus alba Decn. Safed Senji. * Winter annual; reproduces M. indica (Linn.) All. Pili Senji. Small winter annual, reproduces Tephrosia purpurea Pers. Dhamasa. Perennial, flowers (purple) during September, reproduces T. hirta Buch-Ham. Small, perennial, reproduces Sesbania sp. Dhencha.* Annufft herb in rainy season, 3-4' high. Alhagi camelorum Fisch. Camel thorn, Jawasa. Perennia.l, prickly herb, flowers and fruits in summer. Desmodium triftorum L. Tip'ltia. Winter annual herb; reproduces Abrus precatorius L. Indian liquorice. Ghungchi,* Ratti.* Perennial creeper on shrubs, seeds red and black spotted. Vicia hirsuta Koch. Akra.** Winter annual herb reproduces by seeds; associated with gram and pea crop. Lathyrus sativus L. Keshari.* Prostrate, sometimes erect, winter season annual; reproduces Phaseolus trilobus Ait. Ban Moong.* Annual, in rainy season; reproduces

7 WEED FLORA OF JOBNER 173 CUCURBITACEAE Momordica dioca Roxb. Bitter Gourd. Bankarela. Small creeper in rainy season climbing on bushes and crops, reproduces Oucumis calwsu8( Rottl. ) Cogn. ( O. trigonu8). as well as a trailing herb. Wild cucumber, Kachri.** climber O. prophetarum L. Wild Cucumber. Bad~ Kachri.'" Annual in rainy season~ trailing, abundant. Citrullus colocynthis ( Linn. ) Schrad. Colocynth, Bitter apple, [ndrayan, Kadtumbi. * A large trailing, annual herb in rainy season, fruits bitter, reproduces Ooccinia cordijolia (Linn. ) Cogn. Ivy Gourd, Kundari.* Gulkank.* A twining creeper on bushes and fences, fruits edible. FICOIDEAE Trianthema portulacastrum L. (T. monogyna Linn.) Santha, Patherchxta.* Prostrate, spreading annual herb, very common; flowers pink, solitary axillary. T. derandra L. (T. pentandra Linn.) Santhi.'" Patherchata. Prostrate, diffuse, annual in rainy season; flowers red, in axillary clusters. T. hydaspica Edgw. Small, prostrate, spreading, annual herb in rainy season, leaves linear, lanceolate; flowers red. T. triquetra Willd. ex RottI. A common annual in rainy season; succulent herb; flowersgreenish white. Giesekia pharnaceoides L. Sareli, Morang.* Annual in rainy sea';on, succulent, dwarf herb; reproduces by seed; common. COMPOSIT AE Vernonia cineria Less. Phulni. Annual erect herb acquiring 1-2' height; flowers pink. Ageratum conyzoides L. Canal weed. Erect annual glabrous herb; common; favours moist places. Blumea lacera DC. Kukroni},a"'. Erect annual herb in rainy season, reproduces by seeds. I ~.. Pluchea lanceolata C. W. Clarke. Baisurai.* Erect perennial, woody herb, favours slightly alkaline conditions; flowers and fruits during summer season. -"f Vicoa vestida Ben~ Hardila.* Erect annual herb in rainy season; flowers yellow; reproduces by seed.

8 176 M. R. BAJPAI AND J. K. VERMA Xanthium strumari'ltm L. Cocklebur, Adhas'isi, Bada Gokhroo.* Tall, erect, branched herb; fruits spiny, oval and hooked; very common in fallow and uncultivated lands. X. spinosum L. Cocklebur, Andhasisi. * Small, branched herb; fruits smaller in size to X. strumarium. JJJcliptaprostrata L. ( E. alba Hassk. ) Bangra. * Small annual herb; common; flowers and fruits throughout ASCLEPIADACEAE Calotropis procera R. Br. Aak* Perennial woody shrub; reproduces by seed. O. gigantea ( Linn. ) R. Br. Bada Aak.* A tall perennial erect shrub, reproduces by seed. Leptadenia pyrotechnica ( Forsk. ) Dcne. Large, branched leafless shrub on fallow and waste lands. the year. Wedelia calendulosa Less. 'Safed Bui.* Perennial, woody herb; flowers and fruits throughout the year. Triaax procumbens L. Tunki. * Small decumbent herb about -t meter high; common. Echinops echinatus Roxb. Oont Katela.* Tall erect, biennial spiny herb about l to i meter high; flower heads globular and spiny; reproduces by seed. Oichorium intibus Cichory, Kashni. * Annual winter herb with berseem; by seed. CONVOLVULACEAE Ipomoea nil (Linn.) Roth. Kaladana, Ghiyabati.* Twining herb in ramy season; leaves trifoliate; reproduces by seed. I. eriocarpa R. Br. (Syn. I. hispida Roem ). Twining, annual herb in ramy season. I. pes.tigridis L. Herbaceous twiner in rainy season. Oonvolvulus arvensis L. Deer's foot, Morning Glory; Hirankhuri.* A trailing, annual herb twining around crop plants; common in winter season. O'l:tscutareflexa Roxb.; Dodder, Amerbale, Akashbale.* A twining, total parasite on trees and perennial crops; reproduces by seeds and stem cuttings. SOLANACEAE Solanum nigrum:t. Makoi.* An annual winter herb; reprocaces by seed. reproduces Launaea asplenifolia DC. Jungli (Job.* Small decumbent herb; flower heads yellow; frequent; found throughout year.

9 WEED FLORA OP JOBNER 177 S. :eantho&arpumschrad. and Wendl. Kateli. * A perennial prickly herb; fruits yellow, globose. B lero:e L. Ram Began.* An undershrub 3-4 ft. high, flowers and fruits throughout the year. Physalis minima L. Wild Raspberry, Okirpoti.* An annual herb in rainy season; reproduces by seed. Witkania somnilera Dunal. Asgandk.*.Awoody perennial bush; flowers and fruits throughout the year. Daturalastuosa L. Mad apple, Jimson Weed, Thorn apple. Dkatura.* A succulent perennial herb, fruit globose. D. stramonium. Jllhson Weed; white flowered species; fruit ovate or triangular ovate. Nicotiana plumbaginilolia VivoWild tobacco, Ban. tamakkoo.* An annual aromatic w~nter herb; teproduces by seed. SCROPHULARIACEAE Striga luilea Lour. Witch weed. Rookhdi.** Annual semiparasite on pearl millet; appears in rainy season; flowers and fruits Sept. to November. S. e'ltphrasioides Benth. Witch weed. Semi parasite on pearl millet and grasses; in rainy season, flowers and fruits Sept.-November, reproduces by seed. OROBANCHACEAE Orobarwhe cernua Loeffi. Broom rape. Aagiya. * A leafless brown or white pinkish root parasite on tobacco and other solanaceous crops, stem simple, stout and scaly, flowers blue, reproduces O. indica Ham. Bmom rape. A root parasite on Cruciferous plants; stem stout.. scaly; reproduces ACANTHACEAE Bar~ria prionitis L. Jhinti. - Perennial, prickly bush; 2-4' high; flowers andjruits throughout the year. Justicia procumbens L. Nilinargandi.* An annual herb in rainy season, leaves petiolate, elliptic; reproduces Adhatoda vasica Nees. Amsha or Piyaba1VJa.* Perennial unarmed, woody shrub; flowers and fruits throughout year.

10 178 M. R. BAJPAI AND J. K. VERMA LABIATAE Ocimum americanum L. ( Nepeta ruder.lis Hook. l Bantulsi. * Erect, annual finely pubescent, aromatic herb, reproduces Anisomeles indica ( Linn. ) O. Kuntze. Catmint. A biennial, tall, erect, branched herb, pink flowers. A. malabarica R.Br.; Malabar catmint. Abundant undershrub 3 to 4 ft. high, purille flowers, reproduces Leucas aspera Spreng. Gooma.* Fragrant annual, erect or diffuse, flowers green in wh0r1s, corolla white-lipped. NYCTAGINACEAE BoerhaafJia diffusa L. Bishkhapra.* A diffuse spreading herb, flowers minute, roots very stout and pentitrating upto 5-7 ft. in soil. AN!ARANTHACEAE Celosia argentea L. Quail grass Silmili, Chilmili.- Annual, white or whitish pink spicate flowers. Digera arvensis Forsk. Lahsua.* Annual in rainy season 1-2 ft. high, branched, flowers pinkish, spicate. Amarantus spinosus L. Prickly Amaranth. Katdi Ckonlai.* Erect, branched prickly herb, flowers in dense axillary, clusters. A. viridis L. Pig weed, Amaranth. Chonlai.* Erect annual, flowers in clusters. A. blitum L. Amarnath. Chonlai.* Tall, erect, suceulent, flower in clusters. Achyranthes aspera L. Prickly chaff flower. Lo.tzerra.* 1-3 ft. h:i.gh,abundant, flowers spiny, CHENOPODIACEAE Chenopodium album L. Lamb's quarters, Goose foot, Bathua.* Erect annual, branched; 1-2 ft. high, flowers in dense clusters. C. murale L. Khartua.* Erect annual, succulent herb, 1-2 ft. high, flowers and fruits in winter. EUPHORBIACEAE Euphorbia thymifolia L. Duildi.* Usually m Ich branched prostrate herb with latex, abundant; reproduces

11 WEED FLORA OF JOBNER 179 E. micropkylla Heyne. Ohhoti doodhi.* Prostrate annual, spreading herb with latex; reproduces E. neriifolia L. Thor.* A small erect fleshyshrub, 5-~ngled with stipular thorns. E. nivulia Ham. Kala thor.* An erect fleshy, glabrous treejshrub with latex, branched, with sharp paired stipular spines. E. royleana Boiss. Thor. * An erect fleshy, shrub with latex, much branched with paired stipular thorns. Phyllanthus niruri L. Hazardana.* Erect annual, branched, 6-8" high, reproduces by numerous seeds. Phyllanthus urinaria L. Erect annual, reproduces by"seeds.. /" LILIACEAE Asphodelus tenuifolius Cav. Pyazi.* Small annual, leaves 6-12", acuminate scape 6-12", often branched. COMMELINACEAE Oommelina nudiftora L. Kankua, Kana, Bokna.* Slender, annual creeping herb, stem rooting at the nodes; flowers blue. O. benghalensis L. Bada boknn, Kana.* Annual creeping, glabrous herb, rooting at nodes; flowers blue. CYPERACEAE Oyperus rotundus L. Nut grass; Motha.* Stem erect. simple. leafy only near base, inflorescence umbellate; reproduces by seeds and nuts. GRAMINEAE Oynodon dactylon Pers. Bermuda grass. Doob.* A perennial creeping grass rooting at the nodes and forming matted tufts with short ascending branches, flowers throughout year. Oenchrus ciziaris L. Anjan gha8.* Leaves glabrous or hairy; spikes white, smooth. O. catharticu8 Delile. Bhurut.* Annual, spikes white, acuminate, makes good hay or as green fodder. O. setigerus Vahl. Anjan ghas.* Similar to O. ciliaris but with black coloured spikes.

12 180 M. R. BAJPAI AND J. K. VERMA Dicanthium annulatum Stapf. Jharnia gha.q,jankara.* Densely tufted perennial; leaves narrowly linear, rare. Erianthu8 munja (Roxb. ) Jesw. Moonja.* Perennial, tall erect grass; flowers and fruits Sept. to Nov.; used for fibre. Eleusine indica Gaertn. Crab grass, Makra. * Erect, leaves flat, spikes digitate elongate; makes good hay, grows profusely in rains. E. aegyptiaca Desf. Similar in characters to E. indica. Eremo(pogonfO'lJeolatu8Stapf. Kusha, Dab.* perennial, erect grass, flowers and fruits after rains. Setaria glauca Beauv. Anjan ghas.* Annual 1-2 ft. high erect or ascending; abundant, gqodfor hay or as green fodder to oattle. Saccharum spontaneum L. Kans. * A tall, perennial grass, highly obnoxious weed; reproduces by s,eedsand rhizomes.