ESTIMATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF WEED FLORA IN' STRAWBERRY (Fragaria ananassa DUCHESNE) FIELDS IN EGYPT.

Weeds are considered a pr9blem in strawberry production areas in Egypt.
This study on weed flora is carried out on two methods for strawberry production. The
first is located in West Delta area and Qalubia governorate where the soils fumigated
by methyl-bromide (protected cultivation) and the second is in Qalubia, Sharkia and
Ismailia governorates where the soils were not fumigated (normal cultivation). The
study was conducted during winter seasons from 2000/2001 to 200312004. Weeds
were estimated randomly on one square meter as random and replicated ten times in
every fields. Six parameters were used for evaluated weed species. namely the
relative density. general density, general frequency. percentage of infested fields.
cumulative number and abundance. The results appeared that, total of 112 species
were recorded. belonging to 78 genera and 31 families. Species Artemisia vulgaris.
Galinsoga parviflora, Oxalis la/ilolia and Urochloa p < /em>anicoides were recorded as new
species introduced to Egyptian flora. While, species Chenop < /em>odium mura/e, Conyza
bonariensis, Cyperus rotunous. Digitaria sanguina/is, Me/i/otus indicus, Nothoscordon
inooorum, Oxalis comiculata, Poa annua, Polyp < /em>ogon monspeliensis, Portulaca
oleraceae, Sonchus otereceus, S/ei/aria media, Trianthema portulacastrum and
Trifolium resup < /em>inatum were evaluated as the most troublous weeds. In addition, the
effect of methyl-bromide on legume seeds germination were less than other species.