Distribution Characteristics of Weeds and Vegetation Types in Dioscorea oppostifolia Thunb. Field

A survey was conducted to identify the occurrence of problematic weed species on the Dioscorea oppostifolia fields in South Korea. Total 43 sites of the 8 different regions in S. Korea were investigated from May to October, 2014. In yam fields, the identified weeds were distributed in 11 families and 44 species. The exotic plants were identified as 3 families, 10 genera, 10 species. The vegetation of Dioscorea oppostifolia fields was classified into communities of 7 groups by methods of the Zurich-Montpellier school of phytosociology (Xanthium canadense Community, Bidens frondosa Community, Echinochloa oryzoides Community, Eclipta prostrata Community, Portulaca oleracea Community, Centipeda minima Community, Rorippa islandica Community). The weeds occurred in Dioscorea oppostifolia fields were divided into three groups in principal component plot analysis (PCA). Without weed control, yields loss in yam production was reached up to 82% as compared to weed controlled fields.