Invasive alien weed species; are non-indigenous species that have adverse economic, environment and ecological effects on habitats where they have been introduced, either accidentally or deliberately, outside their normal past or present distribution. The objective of this study was to determine the distribution and abundance of emerging invasive weeds in West Shewa and East Wollega Zones of Western Oromia. The biophysical survey was conducted by stopping along main and sub-roads accessible for, vehicle at 8 to10km interval. At each stop a 20m by 20m area was used to determine distribution and abundance of the invasive weeds. Five major emerging invasive weeds i.e Senna occidentalis, Senna didymobotrya, Xanthium spinosum and Carduus spp, Cirsium spp were identified as, important emerging invader species in the study area. Infestation of these weeds was mostly observed on roadsides, around human habitations, in pasture and waste lands and even crop fields. The extent of distribution varied among habitat and locations surveyed, ranging from none to abundant infestation of the alien weed species.

Haricot beans are the most important food and cash crop for most of the Ethiopian farmers. However, bean stem maggot (BSM) (Ophiomyia species) is limiting the production of the crop particularly in dry areas. Three species are involved in the infestation: Ophiomyia phaseoli, Ophiomyia spencerlla and Ophiomyia centrosematis. Two decades ago, two management options of BSM were developed and used for the last twenty years. However, there is a tendency of decline in effectiveness. Hence, the current experiment was conducted to see the age effect on the efficacy of BSM resistant varieties (Beshbesh and Melkae) and high bean plant population density (400,000 plants ha Test (p<0.05). In all parameters measured, Melkae bean variety become susceptible to BSM and cannot be used any more as a resistant variety. From the result of the experiment, it can be concluded that Beshebeshe bean variety, high plant population and Imdalem seed dressing can be used as integrated management of BSM in Ethiopia in general and study sites in particular.

Recent research into assessing and combatting maize weeds was reviewed based on scientific and working reports from the year 2011 onwards in Ethiopia. This review paper covered two main topics: assessment of major weed types and their impacts, and research results of weed management in the maize cropping system of the country. More than 80 major weed floras dominated by broad leaved weeds were found infesting maize fields in different localities. By competing, toxifying and/or parasitizing maize plants, they reduce the crop germination, growth and productivity. Several experiments indicated that maize yield loss due to uncontrolled weed growth varied from 35 to 87.5%, indicating that weed management is a critical factor for maize production in the country. Hoeing, hand weeding and pre-emergence herbicides application have been the most frequently used weed control practices to minimize the competition effect of weeds. So far, there has been no effective and sustainable individual weed control method for maize fields. Thus, future research should focus on developing integrated weed management that effectively reduce weed infestation and associated impacts, and improve productivity of the crop considering socio-economic condition of a specific maize producing agro-ecology of the country.