Weeds Associated with Banana Crops in Magdalena Department, Colombia

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the richness and composition of weed communities associated with banana plantations in Magdalena department, Colombia. Between September 2016 and May 2017, a total of 164 hectares were assessed over four agroecological zones (Alta, Media, Baja and Norte); in each zone, three representative farms were selected where, through zigzag paths, botanical collections were made in cultivated lots. Information on life cycle, growth habit and origin of each species was included. The floristic composition was represented by 204 species distributed among 143 genera and 54 families. Poaceae, with 31 species, was the family with the highest species richness, followed by Fabaceae (12) and Asteraceae (11). From the total species recorded, 113 are perennial (55%) and 91 are annual (45%); 141 species are herbaceous (68%), 38 are climbers (20%), and 25 are arboreal or shrubby (12%). Native species predominate over introduced species. The species richness does not differ significantly between the sampling zones, but the weed community composition does. The presence of common species reported as important weeds worldwide was recorded in the four zones. However, some species were recorded in only one of the zones, generating a differential composition pattern. Comparison with local inventories showed changes in the composition of the weed complex over time. The presence of various species not previously considered weeds in the banana crops of this region is highlighted.

Weeds of commercial crops in Colima, Mexico

“…Most crops had their own weed assemblage, except for a field of onions and jalapeño pepper, which was embedded in the papaya group in the analysis. This pattern has been found in other crop systems such as wheat, watermelon, banana, and others (Gomaa, 2012;Holzner, 1982;Quintero-Pertúz et al, 2018;Suárez et al, 2001). In our data, the most distinctive communities were maize and coffee.…”

Especies con potencial para sistemas agroforestales en el Departamento del Magdalena, Colombia

“…Hacia el norte del departamento, en el municipio Sitio Nuevo, las especies predominantes son Cynodon nlemfuensis (tolerante a inundaciones) y Echinochloa polystachya (presente en zonas pantanosas u orillas de ríos y complejos cenagosos) coincidiendo con la descripción de Díaz-Céspedes et al (2020) quienes afirman que las mejores repuestas en productividad se presentan en zonas húmedas y se comporta bien en condiciones de inundación. Así mismo, se encontró gramíneas que crecen de forma natural, donde sobresalen Bothriochloa pertusa como una especie invasora en el cultivo de banano y Dichanthium aristatum (Quintero-Pertúz et al, 2020).…”

“…Dada la producción de biomasa, composición química, aporte nutricional, sombrío, albergue de fauna y flora silvestre (Mancera et al, 2018), además de algunos reportes como recuperadoras de suelo, por la capacidad de fijar nitrógeno, al presentar en sus raíces asociación con bacterias del género Rhizobium; o con micorrizas, evidencian la pertinencia desde el punto de vista ecológico y ratifican la implementación de los sistemas agroforestales como alternativa del sector agropecuario en la zona de estudio ante cambio climático. Pero también, es incuestionable que las condiciones geológicas, climáticas y de diversidad de suelos existentes en el Departamento determinan la comunidad de especies que se establecen (Quintero-Pertúz et al, 2020). De allí que se reporten tres zonas de acuerdo a la composición florística (Centro, Norte-Sur y Río).…”

Susceptibility of weed populations to glyphosate in banana plantations of the Department of Magdalena, Colombia

“…In Colombia, of 11 reports of HR biotypes (Heap, 2020), four are resistant to glyphosate: the species Eleusine indica and Conyza bonariensis (Erigeron bonariensis) in coffee plantations, Parthenium hysterophorus associated with fruit trees, and Chloris radiata in rice. Of the GR species reported across the world (Heap, 2020), six are common in banana (Musa × paradisiaca L.) plantations of Magdalena (Quintero-Pertúz et al, 2020): Amaranthus spinosus, C. bonariensis, Digitaria insularis, Echinochloa colona, E. indica, Leptochloa virgata, and Paspalum paniculatum. The latter has been reported in banana plantations in Costa Rica with more than 12 yr of history of glyphosate application as the only method of weed control (Ramírez-Muñoz, 2016).…”

“…Although HR biotypes have not been reported in banana plantations in Colombia, some species have low susceptibility to glyphosate (at least at the most frequently used doses), which accounts for their prevalence in farms where herbicide applications have been made for more than 10 yr as the only chemical control method (Quintero-Pertúz et al, 2020). According to agricultural engineers and field workers of the Magdalena banana zone, the species Commelina erecta, E. bonariensis, Syngonium podophyllum, Melothria pendula, Cyperus odoratus, Axonopus compressus, E. colona, E. indica, and Peperomia pellucida are becoming harder to control with glyphosate (Quintero-Pertúz et al, 2020). The loss of efficacy of an herbicide is the first factor to consider for the diagnosis of possible resistance, especially when a single herbicide or molecules with the same mode of action are used repeatedly and without alternative management tactics (Peterson et al, 2017).…”