Assessment of Weed Flora in Chickpea ( Cicer arietinum L.) Fields of District Muzaffargarh and Layyah, Punjab, Pakistan

ABSTRACT

A comprehensive ecological assessment was conducted to investigate the weed flora in chickpea ( Cicer arietinum ) fields across District Muzaffar Garh and Layyah, Pakistan. A total of 18 weed species, representing 13 families comprising two monocots and eleven dicots, were documented. The dominant families included Poaceae (3 spp.), Boraginaceae (2 spp.), and Chenopodiaceae (2 spp.). Weed species density and frequency varied significantly between two study sites, Abdul Rauf and Chubara, influenced by climatic and edaphic factors. Convolvulus arvensis and Asphodelus tenuifolius emerged as the most prevalent species, exhibiting the highest density, frequency, and importance values across both sites. Cynodon dactylon , a persistent perennial from the Poaceae family, also displayed consistent growth and significant importance values, making it a notable threat to chickpea cultivation. The overall weed abundance showed a declining trend, attributed to the increasing use of weedicides and improved weed management practices. Environmental factors such as low rainfall and poor moisture levels contributed to reduced weed infestations during the study period. Soil analysis revealed non‐saline to slightly saline conditions with high pH values and electrical conductivity ranging from 9.14 to 10.93 dS/m. A strong correlation was observed between weed diversity and soil physical and chemical characteristics, highlighting the influence of soil texture and structure on weed distribution. The PCA ordination separated dominant weed species from less abundant species based on ecological variables including density, relative density, and frequency. The PCA indicates that weed distribution patterns were strongly influenced by abundance‐related ecological parameters. The strong relationships among ecological variables indicate that weed distribution is associated with abundance and site‐specific environmental conditions. These findings provide useful baseline data for integrated weed management and ecological monitoring in dryland agricultural systems. This study underscores the importance of site‐specific weed management strategies, particularly in chickpea cultivation, and provides baseline ecological data for further agronomic and conservation planning in arid agro‐ecosystems of southern Punjab, Pakistan.