Sicklepod in improved fallow management: Distribution in natural habitat, diversity and phenology

Abstract

Increasing weed infestation is the primary factor leading to fallow farming, but has not received as much attention as the rejuvenation of soil fertility. Studies were carried out in the early and late growing seasons in 1997 on-farm at Apete in Ibadan, Nigeria, to ascertain the suitability of sicklepod (Senna obtusifolia), a pantropic weed species in improved bush fallow management and in green manuring. Studies included: a) distribution relative to other weed species at seedling recruitment (April and flowering (July) stages in two locations, and b) monitoring of phenology in the natural habitat. Results showed that though the two study locations contrasted with regards to soil fertility parameters, they wère not significantly different with regards to the density of sicklepod. The site average indicated that in April the flora were co-dominated by a number of species with sicklepod accounting for only 23% of the total number of seedlings recruited per m' of the soil seed bank.

However, in July sicklepod dominated the flora accounting for about 81% of the total number of plant survivors per m?. The phenological study revealed that sicklepod produced flowers only in the late rainy season. Adaptation to a wide range of soils, delayed flowering/fruiting and good dominance property imply that sicklepod could be used as a green manure and improved bush fallow plant.