Diversity of Weed Species in Farms Kisii Central Sub-County, Western Kenya

Abstract

This study sought to determine species diversity and Importance Values (IV) of weeds in farms in Kisii Central Sub County, Western Kenya. Eight administrative sub-locations were randomly selected. Ten farms were selected at equal distance along transect laid across each sub-location. Quadrant and a line transect laid across each farm were used to collect weed species. Five rectangular quadrants of 0.5x2m were established in each farm and individuals of each weed species identified and counted. Importance value (IV) for each weed species was computed from density, frequency and abundance. Diversity was computed by Shannon index (H’). Twenty four weed species from 22 genera in 10 families were recorded, Family Asteraceae had the highest number of species (6), followed by Solanaceae and Poaceae with 4 and 3 species respectively. The dominant weed species were Galinsoga parviflora(IV=241.6%), Pennisetum clandestinum(IV=215.8.7%),Bidens pilosa(IV=196.7%), Cynodon dactylon (IV=192.4%), Digitaria scalarum(IV=180.8%) and Cyperus esculentus(172.0%). Weed species diversity was higher (H'=2.81).