Sprangletop

Important species

1. Sprangletop, Red Sprangletop, Asian sprangletop, Chinese sprangletop, Feathergrass (Leptochloa chinensis, L. filifomis)
2. Mexican sprangletop (L. uninervia)
3. Bearded sprangletop (L. fasciculais)

Habitat

Cultivated and uncultivated waterlogged areas

Affected crops

Rice and other agricultural crops

Distribution

Asia, Africa, USA

Description

The stem is slender and erect or ascending from a branching base. The leaf is smooth and linear with a flat blade. It has a ligule (a papery-like membrane at the collar of the plant where the leaf blade contacts the stem). The flower head is branched, narrow, and ovate, and becomes large and open when mature. The weed can be propagated by seeds, stems, and rhizomes (rootstocks). It thrives well in waterlogged areas.

Effect and impact

Sprangletop is a serious weed of rice and can reduce yield by up to 44%. It is an alternate host for root rot, leaf spot, blast, armyworm, cutworm, hairy caterpillar, leaf folder, leaf hopper, mealybug, plant hopper, and nematodes. It is also a troublesome weed in corn and sorghum.

Studies show that Sprangletop is found to be resistant to Clefoxydim, Fenoxaprop-p-ethyl, and Quizalofop-p-ethyl at some rice farms in Thailand (Weed Science, 2005).

Methods of control

1. Plowing and harrowing to expose and/or bury the seeds
2. Closer spacing
3. Hand weeding or hoeing
4. Regular field cultivation
5. Regular field monitoring
6. Planting leguminous cover crops
7. Intercropping cereals with legumes

External links

• Weed Science. Group A/1 resistant sprangletop. http://www.weedscience.org/Case/Case.asp?ResistID=5199
• FAO. Leptochloa chinensis. http://www.fao.org/ag/AGP/AGPC/doc/GBASE/data/pf000485.htm
• UC IPM. Bearded sprangletop. http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/WEEDS/bearded_sprangletop.html
• UC IPM. Identification of grasses. http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/FIG/weed_grass.html

References

• CABI. (2001): Crop protection compendium. Global module, 3rd edition. CAB International Publishing. Wallingford, UK.
• CABI. (2000): Crop protection compendium. Global module, 2nd edition. CABI Publishing, Wallingford, UK.
• IRRI & Queensland University. (2001): Rice IPM. An interactive information and identification system for integrated pest management in rice. University of Queensland and IRRI.
• Moody, K.; Munroe, C.; Lubigan, R.; Paller , E. (1984): Major weeds of the Philippines. University of the Philippines, Los Baños. Laguna, Philippines.