Weed Species Composition and Dynamics of the Major Weeds in Tef (Eragrostis Tef (Zucc.) Trotter) Cultivated Area, Central Tigray, Ethiopia

Tef is a crucial staple food crop in Ethiopia, Characterized by diverse genetic variability. However, weeds significantly limit yields across all tef growing regions. The objective of the survey was to determine the species prevalence, species composition and dynamics of the major weeds in tef. The tef weed survey was done in 19 sub-districts (kebeles) in eight districts in August 2020. Districts were selected based on their tef growing potential and quadrants (1mx1m) were randomly placed in a W –pattern for data collection. 39 weed species in 18 weed families were identified. The most abundant weed families were Poaceae, Asteraceae and Caryophyllaceae. Weed diversity varied across the being the surveyed areas, with 18 to 23 species collected from five districts. The most frequently observed species included Cyperu rotundus (L.) Galinoga parviflora, Setaria viridis, and Dianthus hyssopiflius(L.). The density of weed species was measured from the species of Setaria viridis, Dianthus hyssopifolius L. and Galinsoga parviflora Cav with maginted of 18, 19 21plants /m2 respectively. The diversity value Shannon weiner index 2.644 indicating a moderate level diversity without dominant species in any district. Laleay Machiew and Hahayle have similar weed composition for all districts except Tahtay Machiew, which helps to develop similar weed management. Whereas, the rest locations are demands different controlling methods. The identification weed species these leads to development weed management strategy. The strategies will be the most common weed control methods:tillage, appropriate planting time, optimum seed rate, hand weeding, and application of herbicide, rotation of cereal crops and development of integrated weeds management strategy. The finding suggests that specific weed management strategies are necessary for effective control of tef weeds in the study area and similar agroecologies.