Details of this species in Benin Status: Alien
Invasiveness: Invasive
Occurrence: Established
Source: Vissoh et al. 2004 Arrival Date:
Introduction: Species Notes for this Location:
Management Notes for this Location:
Almost all farmers (94%) surveyed in Benin applied some strategies for I. cylindrica management. These strategies are integrated control options which comprise slashing, burning, ridging and rotating cowpea with maize. A guide for improved management of speargrass at farm level was jointly developed with participating farmers. This new set of practices includes deep ridging taking into account depth where rhizomes are found; sowing of cowpea or pigeonpea cultivars at higher density to shade cogon grass shoots; deep hoe-weeding; hand pulling whenever necessary; treatment of cowpea to prevent damage by defoliating insects; and deep ridging by incorporating cowpea residues into the soil. Farmers’ evaluation of improved management showed that the effectiveness of this scheme depends on the time during which is shaded. Therefore, the set of practices should be repeated the following year, if cogon grass is not sufficiently suppressed. The bottleneck, which may constrain adoption of these integrated practices, is labour shortage. The integrated practice is three times as labour demanding as farmers’ practices. Farmers stated that despite labourers receiving a great deal of money, as well as food and drink, deep ridging was not properly done unless the farmer involved himself to set a good example. Women reported they were cheated by laborers who did not ridge and hoe weed as deeply as expected (Vissoh et al. 2008). Impacts:
Agricultural: Imperata cylindrica is a problematic invasive agricultural weed and considered the most problematic of weeds in Benin (Vissoh et al. 2004). Last Modified: 7/04/2010 12:19:47 p.m.
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