Exploratory study of weed density, distribution and soil seed bank composition in a selected abaca (Musa textilis) plantation at Baybay City, Philippines

Exploratory study of weed density, distribution and soil seed bank composition in a selected abaca (Musa textilis) plantation at Baybay City, Philippines | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Short Report Exploratory study of weed density, distribution and soil seed bank composition in a selected abaca (Musa textilis) plantation at Baybay City, Philippines Rodglen P. Alibio¹ This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-7422003/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Abaca (Musa textilis), a major fiber crop in the Philippines, remains vulnerable to yield losses from weed competition and pathogen transmission. This study assessed the density, distribution, and persistence of weeds in abaca plantations in Baybay City, Philippines, with emphasis on their above-ground vegetation (ABV) and soil seed bank (SSB). Weed communities were surveyed using quadrats, while soil samples were analyzed through the seedling emergence method under greenhouse conditions. Phytosociological parameters, diversity indices, and Sørensen’s similarity index were employed to compare ABV and SSB composition. Results showed that broadleaf weeds dominated both ABV (70.1%) and SSB (83.8%), with grasses and sedges contributing minimally. Species diversity was higher in ABV (H′ = 0.73) than SSB (H′ = 0.56), suggesting stronger ecological dominance within the seed bank. Chromolaena odorata was most prevalent above ground, while Ageratum conyzoides dominated the seed bank, indicating a potential future shift in weed pressure. Both species are of concern as they can serve as alternate hosts of Pentalonia nigronervosa, the vector of Abaca bunchy top virus (ABTV), and reservoirs of plant pathogens. These findings highlight the dual role of weeds as competitors and disease reservoirs in abaca systems. Effective management should integrate timely control of broadleaf weeds, soil seed bank depletion strategies, and vector management to protect abaca yield and fiber quality. Musa textilis weed community soil seed bank broadleaf weeds abaca bunchy top virus Full Text Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Supplementary Files AlibioWeedDensityetcData..xlsx Cite Share Download PDF Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. Our growing team is made up of researchers and industry professionals working together to solve the most critical problems facing scientific publishing. Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-7422003","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Short Report","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":559446967,"identity":"d76511c3-b394-497a-8ffa-0a6fe1a5aefe","order_by":0,"name":"Rodglen P. 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This study assessed the density, distribution, and persistence of weeds in abaca plantations in Baybay City, Philippines, with emphasis on their above-ground vegetation (ABV) and soil seed bank (SSB). Weed communities were surveyed using quadrats, while soil samples were analyzed through the seedling emergence method under greenhouse conditions. Phytosociological parameters, diversity indices, and Sørensen’s similarity index were employed to compare ABV and SSB composition. Results showed that broadleaf weeds dominated both ABV (70.1%) and SSB (83.8%), with grasses and sedges contributing minimally. Species diversity was higher in ABV (H′ = 0.73) than SSB (H′ = 0.56), suggesting stronger ecological dominance within the seed bank. Chromolaena odorata was most prevalent above ground, while Ageratum conyzoides dominated the seed bank, indicating a potential future shift in weed pressure. Both species are of concern as they can serve as alternate hosts of Pentalonia nigronervosa, the vector of Abaca bunchy top virus (ABTV), and reservoirs of plant pathogens. These findings highlight the dual role of weeds as competitors and disease reservoirs in abaca systems. 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