ARC Home I SJAR Home I About SJAR I Article Order Info. I Contribution to SJAR

Sudan Journal of Agricultural Research

Survey of aquatic weeds in the Rahad scheme – Sudan

Abdelgadir, H.

Abstract

Rahad scheme was started in season 1977/1978 in a total area of 300000 feddans. The total length of irrigation canals of the scheme is 1226 km. There is no record about aquatic weed in the irrigation canals of the scheme up to season 1989/1990. The objective of this study was to determine the predominant aquatic weed species, their life forms, distribution and seasonal pattern of growth and level of infestation in the irrigation canals of the Rahad scheme. Survey was carried out, during summer and winter seasons of the years 1991/1992.Thirty nine minor canals were randomly selected throughout the scheme. Each canal was divided into three sections (head, middle and tail) and each section was inspected. All weeds present in the inspected section were visually identified and estimated. Bank weeds were more dominant and constituted 63.6% of identified species, followed by submerged, emergent and floating weeds which constituted 22.7, 9.1 and 4.6 %, respectively. Most aquatic weed species appeared more frequent during winter than summer season. Most of the aquatic weeds were light or mild in their level of infestation throughout the canals irrespective of the season. Submerged weeds were present more towards the end of the canals. Frequent surveys of aquatic weeds of irrigation canals are needed to plan for effective control strategy for clearance of canals and hence increase the productive irrigated area.

Sudan Journal of Agricultural Research Vol. 15 (2010) PP. 103-112