Abstract

This research is on the competitive ability of Senna occidentalis (Coffee senna) among some weedy plant species effect of species in Sokoto, Semi-arid Ecological Zone, Nigeria was conducted at the Biological Sciences Garden of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto. Sokoto is located at the extreme end of Northwest of Nigeria between latitudes 11⁰ 30’N and 13⁰ 58’N and Longitudes 4⁰8’E and 6⁰54’E. It investigated the competitive ability of Senna occidentalis (Coffee senna) in combination with Sidacordifolia and Gynandropsis. Thirty (30) seeds of each weed species were selected and planted different combinations. Seeds of Senna occidentalis in combination with seeds of Sidacordifolia and seeds of  Senna occidentalis in combination with seeds of Gynandropsis Pentaphylla. The results indicated thatS. Occidentali shad the stem height of 8.17cm at 2WAP and increased to 61.41 cm at 11WAP, which indicated that it grew better in other combinations.  The results further showed that it had 13.22 number of leaves at 2WAP while it was 60.11 at 11WAP thereby indicating that it had more leaves in other combinations. The leaf length of 2.87cm at 2 WAP was recorded and attained 7.50 cm at 11WAP. The leaf width was 1.95cm at 2WAP and at11WAP it reached 3.79cm. It had better vegetative growth in all the three combinations thus suppressed the growth of Sidacordifolia and Gynandropsis Pentaphylla when grown in combination. This was possibly due to early seedlings growth and development of S. occidentalis.

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