Abstract
Field studies carried out in a forest transition site on a tropical Alfisol in southwestern Nigeria, show that shading by gliricidia (Gliricidia sepium (Jacq.) Steud) and leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit) hedgerow species reduced density of speargrass (Imperata cylindrica (L.) Raeuschel) by 67% and 51%, respectively. Shoot biomass of speargrass decreased by 81% and 78% in gliricidia and leucaena hedgerows, respectively. Reduction in speargrass rhizome biomass in gliricidia plots was 96% while rhizome reduction in the leucaena plots was nearly 90%. Rhizome mortality was significantly higher in gliricidia plots than in leucaena and control plots. The bulk of rhizomes was found between 10 cm and 20 cm of soil depth but rhizome did not penetrate further than 30 cm depth in the Alfisol in which this study was carried out. Gliricidia was better than leucaena hedgerow species in suppressing speargrass.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Aken'Ova ME and Atta-Krah AN (1986) Control of speargrass (Imperata cylindrica (L.) Beauv) in an alley cropping fallow. Nitrogen fixing tree research reports 4: 27–28
Akobundu IO (1987) Weed Science in the Tropics: Principles and Practices. John Wiley and sons, Chichester, 522 pp
Akobundu IO and Agyakwa CW (1987) A Handbook of West African Weeds. International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Ibadan, Nigeria, 521 pp
Akobundu IO and Fagade SO (1978) Weed problems of African rice lands. In: Buddenhagen IW and Persley GF, eds, Rice in Africa, pp 181–192. Academic Press, London
Al-Juboory BA and Hassawy GS (1982) Comparative morphological development of cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica) in Iraq. Weed science 28:324–326
Ayeni AO and Duke WB (1985) The influence of rhizome features on subsequent regenerative capacity in speargrass (Imperata cylindrica (L.) Beauv). Agric. Ecosystems Environ. 13: 309–317
Duguma B (1985) Studies on factors affecting establishment of selected tree spp. of potential importance in agroforestry. Ph. D. thesis. University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria, 413 pp
Eussen JHH (1981) The effect of light intensity on some growth characteristics. In: Studies on the Growth Characteristics of Alang-Alang (Imperata cylindrica (L.) Beauv). BIOTROP Bulletin 18: 3–12
Holm LG, Plucknett DL, Pancho JV and Herberger JP (1977) The world's Worst Weeds. Distribution and Biology. Univ. Press Hawaii, Honolulu, 609 pp
Horowitz M (1972) Seasonal development of established johnsongrass. Weed Science 20: 392–395
Hunt R (1988) Analysis of growth and resource allocation. Weed Research 28: 459–463
Ivens GW (1975) Studies on Imperata cylindrica (L.) Beauv. and Eupatorium odorata L. Technical Report, Agric. Res. Council, Weed Research Organization 37: 1–27
Kang BT, Wilson GF and Lawson TL (1984) Alley cropping: a stable alternative to shifting cultivation. International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Ibadan, Nigeria, 22 pp
Kuladilokrat S and Suwannamek U (1983) Tank mix combination of asulam and dalapon for control of Imperata cylindrica. Proc. Asian-Pacific Weed Science Society 9: 312–317
Langeluddeke P, Purusotman R, Sallehhudin M and Kasserbeer H (1983) Glufosinate-ammonium (Hoe 39866) — A new herbicide for Imperata cylindrica (L.) Beauv. and for general weed control in tropical plantation crops. Proc. Asian-Pacific Weed Science Society 9: 413–422
Mabb LP and Price CE (1986) Fluazifop-butyl activity on Imperata cylindrica (L.) P. Beauv. 1. Studies on phytotoxicity, spray adhesion herbicide uptake. Weed Research 26: 301–305
Ngambeki DS and Wilson GF (1983) Economic and on-farm evaluation of alley cropping with Leucaena leucocephala 1980–1983 activity. International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Ibadan, Nigeria, 45 pp
Ogunyemi S (1977) The distribution of some weeds of arable crops in Southwestern Nigeria. Proc. Weed Science Society Nigeria 7: 29–34
Panchal YC (1977) Studies on chemical control of Imperata cylindrica (L.) Beauv. Proc. Asian-Pacific Weed Science Society 1: 143–246
Patterson DT (1980) Shading effects on growth and partitioning of plant biomass in cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica) from shaded and exposed habitats. Weed Science 28: 735–740
Seibert B and Kuncoro I (1987) Rehabilitation of Imperata cylindrica (L.) Beauv. grassland with Acacia mangium Willd. Nitrogen Fixing Trees Reports 5: 18–19
Seth AK (1970) Chemical control of Imperata cylindrica (L.) Beauv. in Malaysia. Weed Research 10: 87–93
Soerjani M (1970) Alang-alang, (Imperata cylindrica (L.) Beauv). Pattern of growth as related to its problem of control. BIOTROP Bulletin 1: 1–88
Stanfield DE (1970) The flora of Nigeria Grasses. Ibadan University Press, Ibadan, Nigeria, 118 pp
Wilcut JW, Dute R, Truelove B and Davis DE (1988) Factors limiting the distribution of cogongrass, Imperata cylindrica and torpedograss, Panicum repens. Weed Science 36: 577–582
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Anoka, U.A., Akobundu, I.O. & Okonkwo, S.N.C. Effects of Gliricidia sepium (Jacq.) Steud and Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit on growth and development of Imperata cylindrica (L.) Raeuschel.. Agroforest Syst 16, 1–12 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00053193
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00053193