Endomycorrhizal Status of Some Herbaceous Weeds in Cocoa Farming in the Department of Lakota, Côte d’Ivoire

Abstract

Currently in Côte d’Ivoire, the management of herbaceous weeds on cocoa plantations systematically involves chemical weeding, the negative effects of which contrast greatly with sustainable production. The objective of this study is to contribute to the sustainability of cocoa production through a better consideration of herbaceous weeds. To achieve this, the dominant weeds in the cocoa plantations of three localities in Lakota, Côte d’Ivoire (DJELEBOUE, GNAKPALILIE and DIEKOLILIE) as well as soil samples were collected. After identification of weeds using the Picture This version 3.33 and PlantNet version 3.11.1 applications, the roots of the weeds were coloured with ink blue and their colonisation frequencies and intensities were evaluated. In addition, the spores of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi were isolated by wet sieving and then counted. The identification made it possible to record 14 species of herbaceous plants divided into 12 families, with the predominance of Euphorbiaceace and Poaceae. With the exception of two species, they are all mycorrhizal with intensities ranging from 0.73% to 61.70%. In addition, an average density of 4.30 g − 1 spores of soil was recorded in cocoa farms. It appears from this study that the maintenance of certain mycotrophic and less aggressive herbaceous weeds such as Parietaria officinalis could lead to the sustainability of cocoa farms.