Distribution and density dynamics of Amaranthus palmeri S. Watson in soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) fields of the Çukurova Region of Türkiye

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the distribution of the invasive weed species Amaranthus palmeri S. Watson, which has recently emerged as a major global threat to agricultural production due to its high competitive ability and widespread resistance to herbicides, in the Çukurova region of Turkey. Field surveys were carried out during the summer of 2023 at a total of 143 sampling sites located in the provinces of Adana, Osmaniye, and Mersin. The findings revealed that the overall frequency of occurrence of A. palmeri across the region was 37.57%. However, when only soybean cultivation areas were considered, this rate increased markedly to 58.20%. At the provincial level, the highest infestation was recorded in Adana (86.6%), followed by Osmaniye (66.6%). These results clearly demonstrate that A. palmeri has not only become permanently established in the Çukurova region but has also strongly adapted to soybean production systems, thereby posing a serious threat to crop yield and long-term agricultural sustainability. In conclusion, A. palmeri represents an increasingly severe risk to soybean production in Çukurova, particularly in the provinces of Adana and Osmaniye. Therefore, the implementation of integrated weed management strategies encompassing preventive, cultural, and chemical approaches together with enhanced farmer awareness, is of critical importance to limit its spread and to ensure the sustainable production of soybean in the region.

Keywords

• Çukurova region
• Soybean
• Amaranthus palmeri
• Frequency
• Density

Çukurova bölgesi soya (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) ekim alanlarında Amaranthus palmeri S. Watson’un yayılış ve yoğunluk dinamizmi

Öz

Bu çalışma, sahip olduğu yüksek rekabet gücü ve birçok herbisite karşı geliştirdiği direnç nedeniyle son yıllarda küresel tarımsal üretim için önemli bir tehdit olarak öne çıkan istilacı yabancı ot türü Amaranthus palmeri S. Watson’un Çukurova bölgesindeki yayılışını belirlemek amacıyla yürütülmüştür. Arazi çalışmaları, 2023 yılı yaz döneminde Adana, Osmaniye ve Mersin illerinde toplam 143 örnekleme noktasında gerçekleştirilmiştir. Araştırma bulguları, A. palmeri’nin bölge genelinde %37,57 oranında rastlandığını ortaya koymuştur. Ancak yalnızca soya fasulyesi ekim alanları değerlendirildiğinde bu oran %58,20’ye yükselmiştir. İl bazında incelendiğinde, en yüksek yoğunluk Adana’da (%86,6) ve bunu takiben Osmaniye’de (%66,6) belirlenmiştir. Bu sonuçlar, A. palmeri’nin Çukurova’da yalnızca kalıcı bir şekilde yerleşmediğini, aynı zamanda soya tarım sistemlerine güçlü bir uyum sağlayarak ürün verimini ve üretimin sürdürülebilirliğini tehdit eden kritik bir faktör haline geldiğini göstermektedir. Sonuç olarak, A. palmeri Çukurova’da, özellikle Adana ve Osmaniye illerinde soya üretimi açısından giderek artan ve ciddi bir risk oluşturmaktadır. Bu nedenle, önleyici, kültürel ve kimyasal yöntemleri içeren entegre yabancı ot yönetim stratejilerinin geliştirilmesi ve uygulanması, ayrıca üreticilerin bu konuda bilinçlendirilmesi büyük önem taşımaktadır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Çukurova bölgesi
• Soya
• Amaranthus palmeri
• Yaygınlık
• Yoğunluk

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