20 Feb 2017

After a call from the farmers in Ghanzi and Kgalagadi districts to identify effective control measures against invasive grass species of Cenchrus biflorus (tlolela), Department of Agricultural Research has now provided management prescriptions for the control of this species which is said to be a threat to grazing areas and ploughing fields .

In an interview with BOPA recently, principal agricultural research officer, Mr Ofentse Sithole said they now have substantial information on the mitigation of the weed, however he said studies on weed management of Cenchrus biflorus which the Kgalagadi locals have named it Tlolela are limited because the plant was not previously regarded as a serious problem.

He said effective control of Tlolela could  be achieved by reducing the seed supply through cultivation, grazing at the juvenile stage, increasing crop competition, herbicide application, machinery hygiene protocols and not using stock from infested areas before seed formation. ‘’Extensifying the use of infested land is also an efficient tool to get rid of C. biflorus. Recent invasions may be counteracted by pulling out plants or by preventing seed set through mowing’’, he said.

Mr Sithole said cenchrus biflorus has a short growing season, hence flowering and seed production.

“The vegetation period lasts 20 to 30 days before flowering and, if conditions are favourable, vegetative growth continues after flowering.

In this regard, farmers can apply Acetochlor chemical at pre-emergence stage, Glyphosate and Haloxyfop at early post emergence and apply all aforementioned chemicals during seeding stage’’, he said.

Mr Sithole said water, quality improving agent with wetting, spreading and acidifying qualities with in-built pH indicator is required for use with herbicides, insecticides, fungicides and foliar feeds to further mitigate the weed. BOPA