Abstract:
Biological invasive alien species are non-native species of plant and animal origin, and
widely recognized among the greatest threats to ecosystem biodiversity and productivity.
Parthenium hysterophorus L. (further referred to as P. hystrophorus) has been considered to
be one of the worst invasive weed in Asia, Africa and Australia. The weed threatens
biodiversity of over 134 countries worldwide. P.hysterophorus was accidentally introduced
into Kenya and Ethiopia in the early 1970’s. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate soil
seed bank of P. hystrophorus under major land use types, to assess farmer’s perceptions on
its effect and the management practices of P. hystrophorus in the study area. Fifteen
transects were established and vegetation surveys conducted. Soil samples were collected for
the seed bank study, in order to study perception and controlling management of
P.hysterophorus a total of 117 respondents were interviewed using structured, close ended
questionnaires to assess the impact of P. hysterophorus invasion on crop, forest and grass
land use system. One-way ANOVA was used to analyses difference in mean density of P.
hysterophorus and to test difference in size of the seeds among various land use types (p ≤
0.05). Effect of P. hysterophorus density on species diversity, richness and density of other
herbaceous plant species was evaluated by correlation analysis. Data from perception survey
was summarized using descriptive statistics. The study result reviled that P. hysterophorus
was found to be widely distributed because of the dispersal agent like water, wind, and
animal .human and mash-nary movement. There was a negative correlation between the
density of the weed and species diversity. This study recommends the need for increased
awareness of P. hysterophorus, its impacts and possible solutions among the local people,
researchers and extension workers. Appropriate control measures should be applied
urgently.
