Objective This study was conducted to identify the weed species and community characteristics of cumin fields, and to provide a scientific basis for weed control.

Methods The reversed "W" 9-point sampling method was used to investigate the weed population structure and species diversity in cumin field, and to survey the current status of weed control in these fields.

Results There were 37 species of weeds, belonging to 12 families, among which 21.62% were Gramineae weeds and 20.99% were Chenopodiaceae weeds. Among the 37 species of weeds, Sonchus arvensis L. had the highest relative density, Kochia scoparia (L.) Schrad. had the highest relative height, Suaeda glauca (Bunge) Bunge had the highest relative weight, Cuscuta chinensis Lam. had the highest relative coverage, and Chenopodium glaucum L. had the highest relative uniformity and relative frequency (tied with Cuscuta chinensis Lam.). The dominant weeds were Chenopodium glaucum L. and Cuscuta chinensis Lam., there were 11 regionally dominant weed species, 11 common weed species and 13 general weed species. In terms of weed regional species diversity, Tiremu Town had the highest weed species (Margalef index:3.1250). Aiximan Town had the highest weed species diversity and weed community evenness, with the Shannon index and evenness index being 2.2959 and 0.7943, respectively. Ahonglukumu Township had the highest species dominance concentration (Simpson index: 0.3680). Weed control in cumin fields typically involves a combination of pre-sowing soil-applied (pre-emergence) herbicides and post-emergence directed stem-and-leaf-sprays. Commonly used herbicides include pendimethalin, prometryn, haloxyfop-P-methyl, quizalofop-P-ethyl and butralin.

Conclusions The dominant weeds were Chenopodium glaucum L. and Cuscuta chinensis Lam. in cumin field, there were some differences in weed species richness, species diversity, dominance concentration and community evenness among different regions. Weed management in cumin field should adopt an integrated "pre-sowing soil closure plus post-emergence spray" strategy. More field screening trials of new herbicides should be conducted, and the registration and safe application of herbicides for cumin should be continuously promoted.