Pacific Pests, Pathogens & Weeds - Fact Sheets

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Jungle rice (454)

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Relates to: Weeds

Photo 1. Leaves and seedhead, jungle grass, Echinochloa colona.

Photo 2. Seed, jungle grass, Echinochloa colona.

Common Name

Jungle rice; it is also known as barnyard grass, or awnless barnyard grass. CABI prefers the name junglerice.

Scientific Name

Echinochloa colona. It was known previously as Panicum colonum. It is a member of the Poaceae.

Distribution

Widespread. Asia, Africa, North, South and Central America, the Caribbean, Europe, Oceania. It is recorded from Australia, American Samoa, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Guam, Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Caledonia, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa. Solomon Islands, Tonga, Vanuatu, and Wallis and Futuna.

The origin of jungle rice is unknown; it is widely naturalised throughout the tropics, sub-tropics and warmer temperate regions of the world.

Invasiveness & Habitat

One of the most troublesome annual weeds of the tropics, commonly invasive in crops (upland and irrigated rice, maize and vegetables), gardens, disturbed sites, waste areas and pastures, and along roadsides. Invasive in natural areas: along waterways, on the margins of lakes and ponds, in swamps and wetlands, and in other damp habitats. Mostly in coastal areas that are seasonally rather than permanently flooded, but extending to 2000 masl. Prefers, moist, heavy, fertile soils, sunny locations or those with light shade.

Description

An annual, shallow-rooted grass, erect or growing along the ground, with reddish-purple stems, often branched from the base, 20-60 cm tall. Leaf blades, flat, usually hairless on the upper surface, up to 22 cm long, sometimes with purplish banding. These purple bands are characteristic, distinguishing it from other grasses, e.g., barnyardgrass, Echinochloa crus-galii. Stems are hairless except at the stem joints (nodes). There is no ligule (a flap or strap-like outgrowth on the inner side of the leaf sheath at its junction with the leaf). Flowerheads up to 15 cm long, with 5-10 widely-spaced flower groups (spikelets) (Photo 1). These spikelets are about 2.5 cm long, and have flowers arranged in several rows along a central spine. There is no bristle at the end of the spikelets (as in barnyard grass).

Spread

Spread over short distances is through stems coming in contact with the soil, rooting and establishing new shoots. Cut portions of the lower parts can regenerate too. Long-distance spread is by seeds (Photo 2), spread by the wind, in irrigation water, and by animals. Spread also occurs when grass with seed is moved as animal feed. Jungle rice is a contaminant of rice seed.

Impact

Impacts from jungle grass can be substantial. Yield reductions are due to rapid growth, large infestations and aggressiveness. It is a common weeds of rice, maize, cotton, mungbean, Phaseolus been, and taro. In rice, yield losses range from 25-60%, more in upland rice where jungle rice is often the most dominant weed.

Jungle rice causes environmental impacts, by invading and outcompete native vegetation. In Australia, the USA, and South and Central America, it is ranked among the top environmental weeds. In Australia, this species has invaded wetter habitats, including endangered swamp tea tree (Melaleuca tamariscina subsp. irbyana) thickets.

Uses

The seeds can be ground into a flour and used as a porridge.

Management

BIOSECURITY
There is a high risk of introducing this weed. Countries not yet infested should consider all likely pathways for entry, and apply quarantine measures accordingly. Particular attention should be given to the risks associated with the use of jungle rice as livestock feed and the weed as a possible contaminant of rice seed.

BIOLOGICAL CONTROL
A blight fungus has been researched, but not commercialised.

CULTURAL CONTROL

• Physical & Mechanical
  • Hand weed at approximately 2-weekly intervals from 15 to 60 days when planted to crops in small areas.
  • Cultivation is important and is often use in combination with herbicides.
  • Increase crop densities or reduce row spacing to improve competition with jungle grass.

CHEMICAL CONTROL
In Australia, glyphosate is registered. Jungle rice populations tolerant to several herbicides are known from around the world. Because of this, herbicide management strategies are suggested; these depend on the use of products with different modes of action, either used together or in sequence. In general, these strategies should target early control of jungle rice in crops. In Fiji, MCPA.

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When using a pesticide, always wear protective clothing and follow the instructions on the product label, such as dosage, timing of application, and pre-harvest interval. Recommendations will vary with the crop and system of cultivation. Expert advice on the most appropriate herbicides to use should always be sought from local agricultural authorities

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