Revista Brasileira De Herbicidas 2016; 15(1): 89-96

ISSUE Cover

Biology and management of Rottboellia cochinchinensis

DOI: 10.7824/rbh.v15i1.437

Rottboellia cochinchinensis (Lour.) Clayton, popularly known as itchgrass is the main weed of at least 18 crops grown in many countries. Therefore, it is proposed, in this review, to present biological and management aspects of this important weed species. It is an annual or perennial plant reproduced by seeds or from pieces of stems, reaching up to 4.0 m high. The seeds can remain dormant in the soil for up to four years and the light is not a limiting factor for germination. Although with the system clear/dark there is stimulating seed germination. The rapid development of the root system, with subsequent formation of the aerial part, favors the space occupation by plants. Furthermore, the decomposing plant waste of that species release to soil phytotoxic compounds which can inhibit germination and growth of adjacent or species, whether harmful or cultured. In rural workers, it cause skin irritation by contact, with rigid trichomes of leaf sheaths. There is little information in the literature on the chemical control of this species, especially for pre-emergence herbicides applied. This can be attributed to the difficulty of the product crossing the structure surrounding the seeds and thus reaching the embryo. In sugarcane, clomazone + imazapyr, clomazone + isoxaflutole and sulfomethuron + diuron + hexazinone, sprayed pre-emergence resulted in satisfactory controlling R. cochinchinensis.