Hika Bersisa1,*, Adisu Wagari2, Taddese Ishetu3
1Bako Agricultural Research Center, Bako, P.O. Box 03, Bako, Ethiopia.
2Mechara Agricultural Research Center, Mechara, P.O. Box 19, Mechara, Ethiopia.
3Jimma Agricultural Research Center, EARI, Ethiopia.
*Corresponding author: Hika Bersisa
Abstract
Coffee is one of the most important cash crops and the first most traded produce in Ethiopia. Ethiopia’s coffee is exclusive of the arabica type (Coffea arabica L.) which belongs to the genus Coffea and the family Rubiaceae. Arabica coffee (C. arabica L.) is a poor competitor of weed competition, while weed infestation is a major production constraint. The survey was conducted to assess and rank weed species for further management study in respective areas. The survey was conducted at coffee growing areas of East Ethiopia namely east Hararghe (Bedeno district) and west Hararghe (Boke, Daro Labu, and Habro districts). The assessment was done using both weed counting and interviewing growers for important points related to weed. Quadrate with a size of 0.5×0.5 m was used. The collected data was analyzed via quantitative measures like weed frequency, field uniformity, mean-field density, dominance, and relative abundance. Accordingly, a total of 46 different weed species including 31 annuals and 12 perennials which comprised 35 broadleaved weeds 7 types of grass and 1 sedge (Representing by 81.3%, 16.3%, and 2.3% respectively, by habitat) were identified in East coffee-growing areas of Ethiopia. The highest frequency value (85.34%) was recorded with Gallant soldier (Galinsoga parviflora), field uniformity was dominated with African coach grass (Digitaria abyssinica) (68.52%), mean-field density was by Salvia tiliifolia Vahl (3,184.94 plants/m2), dominance was by Salvia tiliifolia Vahl (17.33%), while relative abundance was by Salvia Tiliifolia Vahl. The most abundant weed species were ranked and prioritized using relative abundance, because, it is the summation value of all quantitative measures of a single weed species. Accordingly, the top ten most abundant coffee weed species in East Ethiopia were Salvia Tiliifolia Vahl (31.96), Gallant soldier (21.67), Witch weed (20.24), African coach grass (17.57), Browntop millet (15.80), Blackjack (15.80), White wort (15.34), Nutgrass (12.55), Congress weed (11.53), Wandering jaw (10.83). Therefore, any coffee growers should be used sound and sustainable weed management practices including cultural, chemical, and integrated weed management approaches, and further weed management studies should be conducted.
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