rice - the staple food - weed management

Echinochloa crus-galli

Family – Poaceae

Scientific name – Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) P. Beauv

Common name – S-bajiri, maratu, wel-marakku; T- kutirai, val-pul; E- Common barnyardgrass

Synonyms –

Panicum crus-galli L. (basionym), Panicum hispidulum Retz., Milium crus-galli (L.) Moench, Pennisetum crus-galli (L.) Baung

Lifespan – Annual

Morphology –

Plant – erect; tufted; reclining at base; up to 200 cm tall.
Stem: in lower nodes rooting could be seen in culms culms rooting ; cylindrical, filled with white spongy pith; no epidermal hairs could be seen.
Leaf: linear, 10−40 cm long, leaf base – broad round; leaf tip -narrow; no ligules present.
Inflorescence: compound racemes; green to purplish in colour, 10−25 cm long; spikelets elliptical and pointed, slightly hairy; awns green to purplish, 2−5 mm long

Biology and ecology –

Propagate by seeds.
Flowers throughout the year and produce seeds within 60 days.
Prefer moist to wet land;
Easily grow in direct-seeded rice fields

Agricultural importance –

A serious serious weed of lowland rice due to
- rapid growth
- competitive ability
- capacity to multiply rapidly
Young shoots are edible
Used for reclaiming saline lands
Serves as feed for animals

Management

Cultural control: proper land preparation (under wet or dry conditions); hand weeding is difficult due to the similarity in morphology at early stages

Chemical control: use of recommended herbicides.

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