ibclogo XVI International Botanical Congess


Abstract Number: 4244
Poster No. = 1020


BOTANICAL DIVERSITY IN THE WEED FLORA OF THE FARMLAND IN UPPER EGYPT


M. Nabil El Hadidi & Ghada A. Moustafa, Cairo University Herbarium, Giza 12613 Egypt


The farmland of Upper Egypt extends for about 1000 km between Giza (north) to Aswan (south). Weeds of this farmland comprises 248 species distinguished into: agrestal, ruderal, canal-bank plants and desert weeds which are confined to the newly reclaimed desert outskirts of the farmland. Agrestal weeds exhibit the greatest diversity and are either winter, summer or all-year plants. Winter weeds assemblages associated with ancient crops (Barley, wheat, etc.), known in cultivation since millenia of years ago, are complex in origin comprising 80-120 species each. Summer weeds assemblages associated with modern crops (Maize, cotton, etc.), introduced to Egypt 200-350 years ago are rather simple and comprise 30-40 species each of tropical species which were not known in Egypt before the introduction of these crops. Common winter weeds show apparent polymorphism when compared with common summer weeds.


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