Weed Flora of the Barley Field (Hordeum vulgare L.) in Ghot El Sultan, Al Abyar Region, Libya

Abstract

In the farms of Ghot El Sultan, located in the Al Abyar Region, barley is the predominant crop. However, this crop faces significant challenges, particularly in terms of weed management, which greatly affects yields. To address this issue, a field survey was conducted over two seasons (2024 to 2026) to identify the most problematic weeds in barley crops. The study used field research methods, including surveys and quadrat sampling, to record the most prevalent weed species. Weed density and frequency were then calculated based on these findings. Samples from the fields of the barley crop were taken using a quadrat of size 1 m × 1 m randomly thrown at multiple points in the fields. The plants were identified using available literature and by comparison with previously identified plant species. Data inventory has been documented in the form of family, Botanical name, vernacular name and life form. A total of 86 weed species were identified, belonging to 70 genera and 22 families of angiosperms. The most dominant families, based on the number of species, were Asteraceae (20 species), Fabaceae (18 species), Poaceae (10 species), and Brassicaceae (8 species). The results also showed that the highest densities were recorded for Oxalis pes-caprae (25 mˉ²), Sinapi's alba (18 mˉ²), and Avena sterilis (17 mˉ²). Additionally, the highest frequency was observed for Brassica tournifortii and Oxalis pes-caprae, with 57% each. These results provide valuable insights into the database in terms of its density and distribution in the District Ghot El Sultan, Al Abyar Region, Libya.