Major weeds of Ecuador IV. Coffee plantations in Jipijapa

Coffee is a crop of economic importance in Ecuador, grown area 199 215 ha, 38,6% it Canton Jipijapa, located the south province Manabí. here by small farmers, who spend little annually for maintenance plantations. One main constraints getting optimal yields presence weeds, which affect water stress during dry spells, and bring about deficient plant uptake essential nutrients. Weeds are not usually properly controlled all areas this crop. Some farmers eliminate weeds twice or three times year, others do that only once. The most common control method hand hoeing, but some growers use foliar-applied herbicides, any these practices commonly carried out without knowledge prevailing weed species. Suitable management strategy should include data their biology rainy seasons Jipijapa. To end, 15 ha coffee plantations 2014 period another 2015 one, cover species present were visually evaluated using scale 0-5, where 1- up to 5% 4-more than 50%. These values processed determine Absolute Relative Frequencies, average finally Severity Infestation (SI). A total 39 belonging 19 families found both seasons, mostly broadleaves plants, while grasses less shady spots appears be Senna occidentalis followed Commelina erecta, Laportea aestuans, Alternathera flavescens Xanthosoma spp., season, fern Pteridium aquilinum was leading perennials C4 grass Megathyrsus maximus. responded humidity conditions each season effect certain measure. Most show poor management, scarce density, even planted favor slope. Improved plantation key measure reduce weeds. In with more abundance, two early weeding operations, an additional one later advisable, case adequate shade, may satisfactorily presence. Perennial Geophila macropoda, potential living since help soil erosion smothers