Investigating of Weed Species Flora and Community Structure in Iranian Borage (Echium amoenum Fisch & Mey.) Fields in Azadshahr County

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

• Valiollah Mirdar ¹
• Faezeh Zaefarian ¹
• Sajedeh Golmohammadzadeh ²
• Ebrahim Gholamalipor Alamdari ³

¹ Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Crop Sciences, Sari Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University, Sari, Iran

² Department of Agronomy, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Gorgan, Iran

³ Department of Plant Production, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Gonbad Kavous University, Gonbad Kavous, Iran

10.22067/jpp.2025.89616.1203

Abstract

Introduction
Iranian borage (Echium amoenum Fisch & Mey.) is a plant from the Boraginaceae family that is widespread in various regions of Iran. This species is used in traditional Iranian medicine. There are many different factors that affect the yield and quality of agricultural crops, including weed management. The abundance, distribution, density and composition of weed species in a cropped field vary due to the nature of the crop, cultural practices and cropping pattern/system, soil type, moisture availability, location and season, therefore identification of weed flora is important to identify the proper weed control options and enable farmers to use the best management strategies. One of the appropriate solutions in the management of agricultural systems is the use of precision agriculture; and one of the technologies used in precision agriculture is Geographic Information System (GIS). The results of the Geographic Information System can improve agricultural patterns, allow more precise management of agricultural systems and enhance the level of development. Considering the importance of monitoring weeds in agricultural ecosystems, the high medicinal and economic importance of borage, the cultivation of this plant in recent years in Azadshahr city and the non-chemical management of weed control, attention to maintaining the quality and level of its production and is also crucial. Additionally, due to the lack of basic information about the condition of weeds in borage fields in Azadshahr city, this study was conducted with the aim of identifying weeds in borage fields and investigating the community structure and species and functional diversity of borage fields in Azadshahr city.
Materials and Methods
The present study was conducted to investigate the community structure and species diversity of weeds in the E. amoenum fields of Azadshahr in 2022. Twenty E. amoenum fields in four geographical directions (north, south, east and west) of the Azadshahr region were selected and the weed species were sampled and identified based on the W pattern in these fields. Based on the existing relationships, the density, frequency, uniformity and predominance of each species were determined. At each farm, the latitude, longitude and elevation above sea level of the sampling site were recorded using a GPS device. The information obtained was processed using GIS software (Ver. 9.3) and a distribution map of all weeds in the fields of E. amoenum was produced.
Results and Discussion
The results showed that there are 19 weed species belonging to 12 plant families in the fields of E. amoenum in Azadshahr, Iran. 31.57%, 10.52%, 10.52% of species belonged to the Poaceae Asteraceae, and Polygonaceae families, respectively, and the rest species belonged to 9 other plant families. Overall, 68% and 32% of the species were annual, and perennial, respectively. In addition, 68% and 32% of species were dicotyledonous and monocotyledonous. Cynodon dactylon, Convolvulus arvensis and Chenopodium album had the highest weed density with 2.40, 2.36 and 2.30 (plants.m^-2) respectively. The highest percentage of weed uniformity (90-95%) was observed in C. dactylon, C. arvensis, C. album, Sorghum halepense and Hordeum murinum. Among the 19 weed species, C. arvensis, C. dactylon and C. album showed the highest relative dominance; these weeds had a relative dominance of 22.31%, 22.49%, and 21.91%, respectively. According to the results, the high frequency values of these weed species indicate their high compatibility with the climatic and soil conditions. Also, the highest relative dominance of the weeds in the fields of E. amoenum was observed in the broad-leaved weeds, which can be attributed to the poor management of perennial weeds in these areas. According to the weed distribution map, 18 species of weeds identified in the E. amoenum fields were observed in all the investigated fields and they are scattered throughout the studied points, while, Papaver rhoeas was distributed only in the southern fields of the study area.
Conclusion
By knowing the weed species present in E. amoneum fields, their density and distribution, and by using correct management practices, the impact of problematic species can be reduced and the spread of weeds, especially problematic species, from one area to another susceptible area can be prevented. Based on the information obtained on the presence of broadleaf and narrowleaf weed species in E. amoneum fields, it is possible to develop a comprehensive management plan and reduce weed density by combining different management methods. By studying the weather, climate and soil conditions in the region, as well as information on the management practices commonly used in the region, it is also possible to understand the reasons for the presence and density changes of some species in some regions. This information has been used in the integrated management of weeds and the provision of appropriate weed control solutions.

Keywords

• Abundance
• Density
• Dominance index
• Species composition

Main Subjects

• Weed

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©2024 The author(s). This is an open access article distributed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0), which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source.

https://doi.org/10.22067/JPP.2025.89616.1203

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