A Mathematical Model for Population Density Dynamics of Annual Weeds and its Application to Bush Mint Weed (Hyptis suaveolens)

Abstract

In this paper, a discrete-time stage-structured mathematical model was formulated for the population density dynamics of annual weeds. Biological process was employed to develop the model equations and incorporates density-dependent effects at germination and established seedling stages within the weed life-cycle. Besides, the developed model framework was applied to investigate the population density dynamics of Bush Mint weed (Hyptis suaveolens). The analysis revealed that the steady state solution is locally asymptotically stable and conclude that, whenever the steady state population is disturbed through management effort the weeds will always proliferate. Also, the steady state density of H. suaveolens is globally asymptotically stable and concludes that its population density may be control or eradicated.

Keywords  Discrete-time, density-dependent,  stage –structured, steady-state, annual weeds, biological-process, Hyptis suaveolens