Echinochloa
Encyclopedia
Echinochloa is a grass
genus
, some of whose members are millet
s grown as cereal
or fodder
crops. The most notable of these are Japanese Millet (E. esculenta) in East Asia
, Indian barnyard Millet (E. frumentacea) in South Asia
and Burgu Millet (E. stagnina) in West Africa
. Collectively the members of this genus are called barnyard grasses (though this may also refer to E. crus-galli
specifically), barnyard millets or billion-dollar grasses.
When not grown on purpose, these grasses may become nuisance weed
s. In particular Common Barnyard Grass (E. crus-galli) is notorious in this regard; it is not easily suppressed by living mulch
such as Velvet Bean (Mucuna pruriens vat. utilis). Early Barnyard Grass (E. oryzoides) is a well-known example of Vavilovian mimicry
: the plants have evolved to resemble rice
(Oryza), enabling them to escape weeding more easily .
Among the plant pathogens that affect this genus are the sac fungus Cochliobolus sativus
– which has been noted on Common Barnyard Grass – and rice hoja blanca virus
. Both affect many other grass species, in particular most important cereals, and Echinochloa weeds may serve as a reservoir
. The fungi Drechslera monoceras and Exserohilum monoceras have been evaluated with some success as potential biocontrol
agents of Common Barnyard Grass in rice fields; more research is necessary however because they too may not be host specific enough to be of practical use.
Grass
Grasses, or more technically graminoids, are monocotyledonous, usually herbaceous plants with narrow leaves growing from the base. They include the "true grasses", of the Poaceae family, as well as the sedges and the rushes . The true grasses include cereals, bamboo and the grasses of lawns ...
genus
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
, some of whose members are millet
Millet
The millets are a group of small-seeded species of cereal crops or grains, widely grown around the world for food and fodder. They do not form a taxonomic group, but rather a functional or agronomic one. Their essential similarities are that they are small-seeded grasses grown in difficult...
s grown as cereal
Cereal
Cereals are grasses cultivated for the edible components of their grain , composed of the endosperm, germ, and bran...
or fodder
Fodder
Fodder or animal feed is any agricultural foodstuff used specifically to feed domesticated livestock such as cattle, goats, sheep, horses, chickens and pigs. Most animal feed is from plants but some is of animal origin...
crops. The most notable of these are Japanese Millet (E. esculenta) in East Asia
East Asia
East Asia or Eastern Asia is a subregion of Asia that can be defined in either geographical or cultural terms...
, Indian barnyard Millet (E. frumentacea) in South Asia
South Asia
South Asia, also known as Southern Asia, is the southern region of the Asian continent, which comprises the sub-Himalayan countries and, for some authorities , also includes the adjoining countries to the west and the east...
and Burgu Millet (E. stagnina) in West Africa
West Africa
West Africa or Western Africa is the westernmost region of the African continent. Geopolitically, the UN definition of Western Africa includes the following 16 countries and an area of approximately 5 million square km:-Flags of West Africa:...
. Collectively the members of this genus are called barnyard grasses (though this may also refer to E. crus-galli
Echinochloa crus-galli
Echinochloa crus-galli is a type of wild grass originating from tropical Asia that was formerly classified as a type of panicum grass. It is commonly known as Cockspur , Common Barnyard Grass, or simply "barnyard grass"...
specifically), barnyard millets or billion-dollar grasses.
When not grown on purpose, these grasses may become nuisance weed
Weed
A weed in a general sense is a plant that is considered by the user of the term to be a nuisance, and normally applied to unwanted plants in human-controlled settings, especially farm fields and gardens, but also lawns, parks, woods, and other areas. More specifically, the term is often used to...
s. In particular Common Barnyard Grass (E. crus-galli) is notorious in this regard; it is not easily suppressed by living mulch
Living mulch
In agriculture, a living mulch is a cover crop interplanted or undersown with a main crop, and intended to serve the functions of a mulch, such as weed suppression and regulation of soil temperature...
such as Velvet Bean (Mucuna pruriens vat. utilis). Early Barnyard Grass (E. oryzoides) is a well-known example of Vavilovian mimicry
Vavilovian mimicry
Vavilovian mimicry is a form of mimicry in plants where a weed comes to share one or more characteristics with a domesticated plant through generations of artificial selection. It is named after Nikolai Vavilov, a prominent Russian plant geneticist who identified the centres of origin of...
: the plants have evolved to resemble rice
Rice
Rice is the seed of the monocot plants Oryza sativa or Oryza glaberrima . As a cereal grain, it is the most important staple food for a large part of the world's human population, especially in East Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, and the West Indies...
(Oryza), enabling them to escape weeding more easily .
Among the plant pathogens that affect this genus are the sac fungus Cochliobolus sativus
Cochliobolus sativus
The fungus Cochliobolus sativus is the teleomorph of Bipolaris sorokiniana which is the causal agent of a wide variety of cereal diseases. The pathogen can infect and cause disease on the root , leaf and stem, and head tissue...
– which has been noted on Common Barnyard Grass – and rice hoja blanca virus
Rice hoja blanca virus
Rice hoja blanca virus is the agent of the most important viral disease of rice in Latin America. The disease is found in Mexico, throughout Central America and the Caribbean region...
. Both affect many other grass species, in particular most important cereals, and Echinochloa weeds may serve as a reservoir
Natural reservoir
Natural reservoir or nidus, refers to the long-term host of the pathogen of an infectious disease. It is often the case that hosts do not get the disease carried by the pathogen or it is carried as a subclinical infection and so asymptomatic and non-lethal...
. The fungi Drechslera monoceras and Exserohilum monoceras have been evaluated with some success as potential biocontrol
BioControl
BioControl is a peer-reviewed scientific journal published by Springer Science+Business Media covering all aspects of basic and applied research in biological control of invertebrate, vertebrate, and weed pests, and plant diseases. The journal was established in 1956 as Entomophaga and published by...
agents of Common Barnyard Grass in rice fields; more research is necessary however because they too may not be host specific enough to be of practical use.
Selected species
- Echinochloa caudataEchinochloa caudataEchinochloa caudata, is a species of Echinochloa....
- Echinochloa colonaEchinochloa colonaEchinochloa colona is a type of wild grass originating from tropical Asia. It was formerly classified as a type of panicum grass.-Usage:...
– Shama grass, Samo - Echinochloa crus-galliEchinochloa crus-galliEchinochloa crus-galli is a type of wild grass originating from tropical Asia that was formerly classified as a type of panicum grass. It is commonly known as Cockspur , Common Barnyard Grass, or simply "barnyard grass"...
– Common Barnyard Grass, Cockspur Grass - Echinochloa crus-pavonisEchinochloa crus-pavonisEchinochloa crus-pavonis is a species of grass known by the common name gulf cockspur grass. It is native to much of the Americas, Africa, and part of Asia, and it is known throughout the world as an introduced species. It is an annual grass often exceeding 1.5 meters in maximum height...
– Gulf Cockspur Grass - Echinochloa esculentaEchinochloa esculentaEchinochloa esculenta, or Japanese barnyard millet or Japanese millet, is a species of Echinochloa that is cultivated on a small scale in Japan, China, and Korea, both as a food and for animal fodder. It is grown in areas where the land is unsuitable or the climate too cool for paddy rice...
– Japanese Millet - Echinochloa frumentaceaEchinochloa frumentaceaEchinochloa frumentacea is a species of Echinochloa. Both Echinochloa frumentacea and Echinochloa esculenta are called "Japanese millet". This millet is widely grown as a cereal in India, Pakistan, and Nepal...
– Indian barnyard millet - Echinochloa inundata
- Echinochloa lacunaria (F.Muell.) P.W.Michael & Vickery
- Echinochloa muricataEchinochloa muricataEchinochloa muricata is a species of grass known by the common names rough barnyard grass and American barnyard grass. It is native to Eurasia and much of North America. It is an annual grass growing one half to one meter in height....
(P.Beauv.) Fernald – Rough Barnyard Grass, American Barnyard Grass- Echinochloa muricata var. microstachya
- Echinochloa muricata var. muricata
- Echinochloa oryzoidesEchinochloa oryzoidesEchinochloa oryzoides is a species of grass known by the common name early barnyard grass. Its origin is not certain but it may be Eurasia. The grass is known in rice-growing areas of the world as a weed of rice paddies.-External links:***...
– Early Barnyard Grass - Echinochloa polystachya
- Echinochloa pyramidalis
- Echinochloa stagninaEchinochloa stagninaEchinochloa stagnina is a species of Echinochloa widespread in tropical Africa and Asia, with an invasive status in many Pacific islands....
– Burgu Millet - Echinochloa telmatophila
- Echinochloa turneriana
- Echinochloa walteri – Walter's Barnyard Grass