Habitats occupied by scentless chamomile (Matricaria perforata Mérat) in Saskatchewan

Abstract

Three agricultural regions in Saskatchewan, known to be affected by scentless chamomile (Matricaria perforata Mérat), were surveyed between 1984 and 1988 to measure abundance and identify habitats occupied by the weed. A modified cover-abundance rating scale was used to rate the ground cover of the weed in various habitats. The habitats were grouped into annual crops, field depressions, transition areas and slough margins. Overall, the predicted probability of an area being free of scentless chamomile decreased in the following order of habitats: annual crops, transition areas, field depressions and slough margins. Three of these habitats, annual crop, field depressions and slough margins, occur along a gradient of increasing soil moisture and decreasing farm use. Key words: Scentless chamomile, Matricaria perforata, habitat