Sprangletop
Important species
- Sprangletop, Red Sprangletop, Asian sprangletop, Chinese sprangletop, Feathergrass (Leptochloa chinensis, L. filifomis)
- Mexican sprangletop (L. uninervia)
- 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
- Plowing and harrowing to expose and/or bury the seeds
- Closer spacing
- Hand weeding or hoeing
- Regular field cultivation
- Regular field monitoring
- Planting leguminous cover crops
- Intercropping
cereals with legumes