Couch grass is a common and invasive perennial grass with creeping under leaves stems known as rhizomes.it spreads rapidly to form dense mats of underground stems. Grows among cultivated crops competing for water, nutrients and also harboring pests and diseases. Host plants includes citrus maize, sugarcane and cotton among other crops.
Origin. Couch grass is believed to have originated in Africa.
Distribution.
It is widely distributed in the world .in Africa it grows well up to attitude of 2900m above sea level.
Adaptation.
- Grows well in wide range of soils from heavy clay to deep sandy soils.
- Can tolerate both acid and alkaline conditions
- Can survive flooding.
- Has characteristic of producing seed heads under stress condition such as drought. Thus, seeds provide another method by which the plant can survive.
Propagation and dispersal.
Couch grass produces mainly by seeds. Dispersal of the seeds is done by animals after they graze on the weed.it is also important to note that couch grass can sprout from root suckers particularly when the roots are damaged.
Control of couch grass.
Two methods can be employed to eradicate couch grass. These methods are manual and chemical control.
Manual control
Involves digging and removing the weeds.
Disadvantages
- Time consuming exercise
- Labor intensive
- The method cannot control couch grass effectively.
Chemical control
The most effective method of couch grass control. A product by the name clampdown effectively controls couch grass. 200mls of clampdown 480SL are mixed in 20litres of water and sprayed on the weed foliage.
How clampdown 480SL works.
- Clampdown is sprayed on the leaves of the weed.
- It is then absorbed through the leaves and enters the plant sap stream.
- It is then carried to all growing parts of the weed is roots and the shoots.
- It then kills the leaves, the shoot and the roots.
- Clampdown 480SL is de activated in the soil by microorganisms hence the soil is ready for use as soon as the chemical dries.
- It is important to note that clampdown MUST be mixed with clean water because dirty water is known to affect the efficacy of the product.
