Survey of Weeds Associated with Irrigated Wheat Production in Kano State

Weed management is a critical production challenge in irrigated wheat systems, and knowing the specific weed flora composition in Kano State irrigated fields is necessary for designing targeted and economically rational weed control recommendations for wheat farmers in northern Nigeria. This study surveyed the weed species composition, density, and frequency in irrigated wheat fields during the 2022-2023 dry season in Kano Municipal, Bunkure, and Gwarzo LGAs of Kano State, North West Nigeria. A total of 45 fields were surveyed using standardised 1 m by 1 m quadrats at three randomly placed sampling points per field. Weed species were identified, counted, and their frequency and relative importance values calculated. Interviews with farmers supplemented the field data. Results identified 31 weed species belonging to 18 families. Phalaris minor was the most dominant and troublesome weed, with a relative density of 28.4 percent and a relative importance value of 32.7 percent. Chenopodium album and Coronopus didymus were the second and third most important weeds respectively. Narrow-leaved grasses dominated in fields under continuous wheat cultivation without rotation. Farmers reported 40 to 60 percent grain yield loss in heavily infested fields. Chemical control with clodinafop propargyl was the most common management practice, but incorrect timing and dosing were common. The study recommends integrated weed management training, crop rotation with legumes, and herbicide efficacy demonstration plots for Kano wheat farmers.

Keywords: wheat weed flora, Phalaris minor, irrigated wheat, weed survey, Kano State