Abstract
Members of the family Asteraceae are widespread weeds that can influence their surrounding soil environment. However, there is limited information on how these species affect soil physicochemical properties. This study evaluated the physicochemical properties of soils associated with selected Asteraceae species—Ageratum conyzoides, Tridax procumbens, Emilia sonchifolia, Chromolaena odorata, and Vernonia cinerea in order to assess their potential influence on soil quality and nutrient availability. The immediate environment where the selected weeds species of Astereacea family under study were collected, using soil auger, depth of 15 cm (top soil) was used for the soil analysis. The data obtained were analysed using computer moderated Duncan multiple range test (DMRT). The results showed that soils in the immediate environment of the selected Asteraceae species—Tridax procumbens, Emilia sonchifolia, Chromolaena odorata, Ageratum conyzoides, and Vernonia cinerea—had higher concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and organic carbon, as well as greater porosity, compared to surrounding soils without these plants. Based on the findings of this study, the selected Asteraceae species appear to positively influence soil physicochemical properties. Their presence was associated with higher nutrient concentrations and improved soil structure, suggesting that plant–soil interactions involving these species may contribute to enhanced soil quality and nutrient availability within their immediate environment.