STATUS OF SOIL SEED BANK OF PARTHENIUM HYSTEROPHORUS L. UNDER MAJOR LAND USE TYPES AND FARMERS’ PERCEPTION TOWARDS ITS MANAGEMENT INTERVENTIONS IN LOWER HARE WATERSHED, ARBA MINCH ZURIA WOREDA, SOUTHERN ETHIOPIA

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.