Determination of weed communities in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) fields of district Sukkur

A survey of weed communities was carried out in wheat fields of district Sukkur during 1999-2000. Forty-five weed species belonging to 16 angiospermic families are reported from the study area. Five weed communities viz: 1) Lathyrus-Fumaria-Melilotus in Bhit of Noor Shah, 2) Alhagi-Spergula-Convolvulus in Kandhra, 3) Spergula-Chenopodium-Spinacia in Pano Aqil, 4) Polygonum-Melilotus-Medicago in Rohri and 5) Medicago-Coronopus-Melilotus in Saleh Pat were recognized during this period. Furthermore Alhagi-Rumex-Phalaris in Bhit of Noor Shah, Polygonum-Polupogon-Rumex in Kandhra, Alhagi-Melilotus-Lepidium in Pano Aqil, Lathyrus-Fumaria-Coronopus in Rohri and Chenopodium-Echinops-Vaccaria in Saleh Pat were found second communities in these areas. The dominant weed species of these communities in various capacities were Lathyrus aphaca L., Fumaria indica (Haussk) Pugsely, Alhagi maurorum Medic., Spergula arvensis L., Convolvulus arvensis L., Polygonum plebejum R.Br., Sonchus oleraceus L., Chenopodium murale L., Rumex dentatus L., Coronopus Melilotus indica (L.) All., Chenopodium album L., Chenopodium murale L., Rumex dentatus L., Coronopus dydimus (L.) Smith., Echinops echinatus Roxb., Vaccaria pyramidata Medik., Spinacia oleracea L., Phalaris minor Retz., Polypogon fugax Nees ex Steud. and Lepidium sativum Linn. Grangea maderaspatana Poir. is reported for the first time as a week in Pakistan.