The effect of fire on weed species diversity, population density and the level of organic matter
content in soil in Birnin-Yauri Local Government Area, Kebbi State, Nigeria were investigated. The results obtained
indicated disappearance of
Panicum laetum
(a grass),
Cyperus rotundus
(a sedge) and the two broadleaf species with
procumbent habits, Ipomoea cylindrical and
Tridex procumbens
, but there was increase in population density of the
broadleaf species that were erect with woody stems. In the control plot,
C. rotundus and
I. cylindrical recorded the
highest increase in density and the erect broadleaf,
Senna tora
was more or less stable in numbers but
Sida acuta
doubled in soil decrease gradually with increase in frequency of burning.
