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Weed Diversity and Infestation in Elaeis Guineensis Agroecosystems of Industrial Plantations in the Grands Ponts Region, Southern Ivory Coast

Received: 20 September 2026     Accepted: 8 October 2026     Published: 29 October 2026
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Abstract

In oil palm cultivation, weeds are a major obstacle due to their negative effects on crop growth, soil fertility, and agricultural management systems. They compete with crops for the elements necessary for crop development and growth. Therefore, weed control is essential for maintaining yields. However, effective weed control requires knowledge of the weeds specific to palm oil groves and their potential harmfulness to the crop. This study aims to assess the floristic diversity and weed infestation in oil palm plantations within the Integrated Agricultural Unit (IAU) in Irobo, southern part of Côte d'Ivoire. A total of 250 floristic inventories were conducted across 5 localities, based on 2 ecological variables: age groups and toposequence, each with 3 options. Walk-through surveys using the "field walk" method were conducted within each 2500 m2 plot to identify the weed species, genera, families, and biological types present, and to assess their frequencies, abundance-dominance, and potential harmfulness. As a result, a total of 657 species were identified, comprising 373 genera distributed across 98 botanical families. The most represented families are Fabaceae (65), Poaceae (61), Cyperaceae (37), Rubiaceae (36), Asteraceae (33), Apocynaceae (32), and Malvaceae (25). Dicotyledons and hemicryptophytes were the most common, accounting for 74.58% and 20%, respectively. The infestation diagram highlighted five of the nine groups and showed their infestation levels. Nephrolepis biserrata, Pueraria phaseoloides, and Heterotis rotundifolia are the species in group G1, that could be considered the major general weeds and the most harmful in the study area. In addition, Steinchisma laxum and Croton hirtus are identified as potential general weeds belonging to group G2. This study identified the main classes, families, species, and biological types of weeds present, as well as their potential to be harmful in industrial oil palm plantations. It could help guide the development of sustainable weed management practices in industrial oil palm plantations.

Published in American Journal of BioScience (Volume 14, Issue 5)
DOI 10.11648/j.ajbio.20261405.13
Page(s) 118-130
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2026. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Weed Diversity and Infestation, Elaeis Guineensis, Industrial Plantations, Southern Côte D'Ivoire

References
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Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Kouadio, G. O., Kouame, K. F., Kone, A., Chahed, A., Kouadio, E. Y. G., et al. (2026). Weed Diversity and Infestation in Elaeis Guineensis Agroecosystems of Industrial Plantations in the Grands Ponts Region, Southern Ivory Coast. American Journal of BioScience, 14(5), 118-130. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajbio.20261405.13

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    ACS Style

    Kouadio, G. O.; Kouame, K. F.; Kone, A.; Chahed, A.; Kouadio, E. Y. G., et al. Weed Diversity and Infestation in Elaeis Guineensis Agroecosystems of Industrial Plantations in the Grands Ponts Region, Southern Ivory Coast. Am. J. BioScience 2026, 14(5), 118-130. doi: 10.11648/j.ajbio.20261405.13

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    AMA Style

    Kouadio GO, Kouame KF, Kone A, Chahed A, Kouadio EYG, et al. Weed Diversity and Infestation in Elaeis Guineensis Agroecosystems of Industrial Plantations in the Grands Ponts Region, Southern Ivory Coast. Am J BioScience. 2026;14(5):118-130. doi: 10.11648/j.ajbio.20261405.13

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  • @article{10.11648/j.ajbio.20261405.13,
      author = {Gboga Olivier Kouadio and Kra Frederic Kouame and Adama Kone and Abdessalem Chahed and Edouard Yves Gilchrist Kouadio and Richmond Yapi Baka and Marie-Solange Tiebre and N'Takpe Kama Maxime Boraud},
      title = {Weed Diversity and Infestation in Elaeis Guineensis Agroecosystems of Industrial Plantations in the Grands Ponts Region, Southern Ivory Coast},
      journal = {American Journal of BioScience},
      volume = {14},
      number = {5},
      pages = {118-130},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ajbio.20261405.13},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajbio.20261405.13},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajbio.20261405.13},
      abstract = {In oil palm cultivation, weeds are a major obstacle due to their negative effects on crop growth, soil fertility, and agricultural management systems. They compete with crops for the elements necessary for crop development and growth. Therefore, weed control is essential for maintaining yields. However, effective weed control requires knowledge of the weeds specific to palm oil groves and their potential harmfulness to the crop. This study aims to assess the floristic diversity and weed infestation in oil palm plantations within the Integrated Agricultural Unit (IAU) in Irobo, southern part of Côte d'Ivoire. A total of 250 floristic inventories were conducted across 5 localities, based on 2 ecological variables: age groups and toposequence, each with 3 options. Walk-through surveys using the "field walk" method were conducted within each 2500 m2 plot to identify the weed species, genera, families, and biological types present, and to assess their frequencies, abundance-dominance, and potential harmfulness. As a result, a total of 657 species were identified, comprising 373 genera distributed across 98 botanical families. The most represented families are Fabaceae (65), Poaceae (61), Cyperaceae (37), Rubiaceae (36), Asteraceae (33), Apocynaceae (32), and Malvaceae (25). Dicotyledons and hemicryptophytes were the most common, accounting for 74.58% and 20%, respectively. The infestation diagram highlighted five of the nine groups and showed their infestation levels. Nephrolepis biserrata, Pueraria phaseoloides, and Heterotis rotundifolia are the species in group G1, that could be considered the major general weeds and the most harmful in the study area. In addition, Steinchisma laxum and Croton hirtus are identified as potential general weeds belonging to group G2. This study identified the main classes, families, species, and biological types of weeds present, as well as their potential to be harmful in industrial oil palm plantations. It could help guide the development of sustainable weed management practices in industrial oil palm plantations.},
     year = {2026}
    }
    

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  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Weed Diversity and Infestation in Elaeis Guineensis Agroecosystems of Industrial Plantations in the Grands Ponts Region, Southern Ivory Coast
    AU  - Gboga Olivier Kouadio
    AU  - Kra Frederic Kouame
    AU  - Adama Kone
    AU  - Abdessalem Chahed
    AU  - Edouard Yves Gilchrist Kouadio
    AU  - Richmond Yapi Baka
    AU  - Marie-Solange Tiebre
    AU  - N'Takpe Kama Maxime Boraud
    Y1  - 2026/10/29
    PY  - 2026
    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajbio.20261405.13
    DO  - 10.11648/j.ajbio.20261405.13
    T2  - American Journal of BioScience
    JF  - American Journal of BioScience
    JO  - American Journal of BioScience
    SP  - 118
    EP  - 130
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2330-0167
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajbio.20261405.13
    AB  - In oil palm cultivation, weeds are a major obstacle due to their negative effects on crop growth, soil fertility, and agricultural management systems. They compete with crops for the elements necessary for crop development and growth. Therefore, weed control is essential for maintaining yields. However, effective weed control requires knowledge of the weeds specific to palm oil groves and their potential harmfulness to the crop. This study aims to assess the floristic diversity and weed infestation in oil palm plantations within the Integrated Agricultural Unit (IAU) in Irobo, southern part of Côte d'Ivoire. A total of 250 floristic inventories were conducted across 5 localities, based on 2 ecological variables: age groups and toposequence, each with 3 options. Walk-through surveys using the "field walk" method were conducted within each 2500 m2 plot to identify the weed species, genera, families, and biological types present, and to assess their frequencies, abundance-dominance, and potential harmfulness. As a result, a total of 657 species were identified, comprising 373 genera distributed across 98 botanical families. The most represented families are Fabaceae (65), Poaceae (61), Cyperaceae (37), Rubiaceae (36), Asteraceae (33), Apocynaceae (32), and Malvaceae (25). Dicotyledons and hemicryptophytes were the most common, accounting for 74.58% and 20%, respectively. The infestation diagram highlighted five of the nine groups and showed their infestation levels. Nephrolepis biserrata, Pueraria phaseoloides, and Heterotis rotundifolia are the species in group G1, that could be considered the major general weeds and the most harmful in the study area. In addition, Steinchisma laxum and Croton hirtus are identified as potential general weeds belonging to group G2. This study identified the main classes, families, species, and biological types of weeds present, as well as their potential to be harmful in industrial oil palm plantations. It could help guide the development of sustainable weed management practices in industrial oil palm plantations.
    VL  - 14
    IS  - 5
    ER  - 

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