TITLE:
Weed Diversity under Cover Crops Arachis repens (L.) and Desmodium adscendens (Sw.) in Banana Plantations in Southeastern Côte d’Ivoire
AUTHORS:
Edouard Yves Gilchrist Kouadio, Konan Didier Kouame, Kra Frederic Kouame, Koffi Fernand Jean-Martial Kassi, Mamadou Cherif, Brahima Camara, Kouabenan Abo, Acka Emmanuel Dick
KEYWORDS:
Banana Plantations, Weed Diversity, Cover Crops, Côte d’Ivoire
JOURNAL NAME:
American Journal of Plant Sciences,
Vol.16 No.12,
December
12,
2025
ABSTRACT: In industrial dessert banana cultivation, weed control involves the use of chemical herbicides that are harmful to human health and the environment. In this study, the introduction of cover crops as an alternative was considered in banana plantations in southeastern Côte d’Ivoire. The experimental design was a Fisher block with three replicates of three treatments consisting of the use of the species Arachis repens and Desmodium adscendens, as well as two synthetic herbicides (control). The specific diversity and biological spectrum of weeds were evaluated. The results identified 71 weed species divided into 50 genera and 25 families, with slightly greater diversity of species and biological spectrum in the D. adscendens and control plots compared to A. repens. This study therefore suggests that A. repens could be used as a cover crop for weed management in banana plantations, replacing herbicides such as glyphosate and glufosinate. This conclusion is supported by the lower weed diversity observed under Arachis repens, indicating its superior competitive ability and stronger weed-suppressive effect.