Survey of Weeds in Mustard Fields of District Chakwal, Pakistan

A survey of mustard crop in District Chakwal was carried out during March, 2000 to determine the field uniformity, constancy, density, herbage coverage and importance values of weeds. A total of 42 weed species including 4 monocot were recorded. The species with 50-100% field uniformity were Asphodelus tenuifolius, Convolvulus arvensis, Fumaria indica and Medicago denticulata. While Anagallis arvensis, A. tenuifolius, C. arvensis, F. indica, M. denticulata, Sorghum halepense and Trifolium polycerata had high density than other species in the area. Species with better herbage coverage were Artemisia scoparia, A. tenuifolius, C. arvensis, F. indica, M. denticulata, S. halepense and T. polycerata. Most of the weed species fell in constancy class I (64.29%). In terms of importance value, A. tenuifolius, C. arvensis, Vicia monantha, S. halepense and T. polycerata were top ranking and most prevalent weeds associated with mustard crop. Although there is floristic heterogenity in the weed flora of the area but some weeds (A. tenuifolius, C. arvensis, M. denticulata, Carthamus oxycantha) had distribution through out the district. The prevalence of these weeds must be arrested to improve the mustard production.