SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION, ABUNDANCE AND IMPACT OF Senecio jacobaea L. ON SELECTED AGRICULTURAL CROPS: THE CASE OF ADAMA WOREDA, OROMIA REGION, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Senecio jacobaea L. is an annual or perennial plant which is distributed throughout the world. It is regularly to be seen growing along roadsides, on waste grounds, areas of poor land management, spreading easily onto pastures and farms. Thus the study was conducted in eight kebeles of Adama woreda, Oromia, Ethiopia to determine spatial distribution, abundance and impact of S. jacobaea in selected agricultural crops. The study put forward scientific approach into the impacts of the weedy species on agricultural yield and soil PH and moisture content. Spatial distribution and abundance of S. jacobaea was determined by establishing quadrats in selected kebeles proportionally. The allolepatic impacts of S. jacobaea on agricultural crops were measured by preparing compost from the weed itself. S. jacobaea bound soil PH and soil moisture was also examined. The activity of local community who selected systematically from the randomly selected 8 kebeles of the woreda, to control the weed was assessed using semi-structured interview. SPSS version 16 software programs were used to analyze the data collected. Adama woreda was found to be infested by S. jacobaea. The abundance and spatial distribution was different from area to area and among land covers types. It was found distributed randomly in farmland and uniformly in bushland and grassland. S. jacobaea had an impact to increase soil moisture but insignificant to increase soil PH. The compost prepared from S. jacobaea was inhibited the growth of maize and tef whereas it activated the growth of potato. The main spreading agent of S. jacobaea was flood, wind, pollinator, transportation and human being. So integrated management system and effective prevention measurement techniques such as biological control, herbicides, cultural method and mechanical method should be practiced to control the invasion of the weed.