Urochloa platyphylla (broadleaf signalgrass)
Index
- Pictures
- Identity
- Summary of Invasiveness
- Taxonomic Tree
- Notes on Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Description
- Plant Type
- Distribution
- Distribution Table
- History of Introduction and Spread
- Risk of Introduction
- Habitat
- Habitat List
- Hosts/Species Affected
- Host Plants and Other Plants Affected
- Growth Stages
- Biology and Ecology
- Climate
- Air Temperature
- Soil Tolerances
- Natural enemies
- Notes on Natural Enemies
- Means of Movement and Dispersal
- Pathway Causes
- Pathway Vectors
- Impact Summary
- Economic Impact
- Risk and Impact Factors
- Uses
- Uses List
- Prevention and Control
- References
- Links to Websites
- Contributors
- Distribution Maps
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Top of pagePreferred Scientific Name
- Urochloa platyphylla (Munro ex C. Wright) R.D. Webster
Preferred Common Name
- broadleaf signalgrass
Other Scientific Names
- Brachiaria extensa Chase
- Brachiaria platyphylla (Munro ex C. Wright) Nash
- Panicum platyphyllum Munro ex C. Wright
- Paspalum platyphyllum Griseb.
- Urochloa extensa (Chase) C.Nelson, Sutherl. & Fern.Casas
International Common Names
- English: white para grass
- Spanish: Gambutera
Local Common Names
- Trinidad and Tobago: wild para
EPPO code
- BRAPP (Brachiaria platyphylla)
Summary of Invasiveness
Top of pageU. platyphylla is a weedy grass species commonly found in disturbed, open and sandy sites such as crop fields, ditches and roadsides. It is considered a troublesome weed because of its tolerance to some herbicides principally in maize plantations (Chamblee et al., 1982; Gallaher et al.,1999). U. platyphylla is highly adaptable and it is able to germinate and grow throughout a wide range of soil and environmental conditions (Burke et al., 2003). Additionally, its seeds may remain on the crop residue until pre-emergence herbicides are no longer effective in controlling the germinating seeds, at which time the seeds fall to the soil surface and germinate (Alford et al., 2005).
Taxonomic Tree
Top of page- Domain: Eukaryota
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Phylum: Spermatophyta
- Subphylum: Angiospermae
- Class: Monocotyledonae
- Order: Cyperales
- Family: Poaceae
- Genus: Brachiaria
- Species: Urochloa platyphylla
Notes on Taxonomy and Nomenclature
Top of pageThe taxonomy of the genus Urochloa is unclear mostly due to the weaknesses of the characters used to separate Urochloa from Brachiaria (i.e., spikelet orientation and presence or absence of an upper floret). These weaknesses have been discussed by several authors including Webster (1987, 1988) and Morrone and Zuloaga (1992, 1993). Floristic studies conducted in Australia (Webster, 1987), North America (Webster, 1988; Zuloaga and Morrone, 2003), South America, Mexico and Central America (Morrone and Zuloaga, 1992, 1993) have circumscribed species of Brachiaria into Urochloa. On the other hand, Sharp and Simon (2002) maintain the name Brachiaria for all species that occur in Australia and the annual species of Brachiaria are now included in the new genus Moorochloa (Veldkamp, 2004). The taxonomic positions of these three genera still remain unclear. The species Urochloa platyphylla is also named as B. platyphylla which is still an accepted name by some authorities (USDA-ARS, 2014).
Description
Top of pageU. platyphylla is an annual grass. Culms 25-100 cm, decumbent, rooting at the lower nodes; nodes glabrous. Sheaths glabrous or sparsely pilose; ligules 0.5-1 mm; blades 2.5-17.5 cm long, 3-13 mm wide, glabrous or sparsely pilose, bases subcordate, not clasping the stems, margins ciliate basally, with papillose-based hairs. Panicles 6-16 cm long, 2-2.5 cm wide, with 2-8 spike-like primary branches in 2 ranks; primary branches 3-8 cm, axils pubescent, axes 1.3-2.5 mm wide, flat, usually glabrous, occasionally pilose dorsally; secondary branches rarely present; pedicels shorter than the spikelets, scabrous and sparsely pilose. Spikelets 3.8-5 mm long, 2-2.5 mm wide, ovoid, bi-convex; solitary, appressed to the branches, in 2 rows. Glumes scarcely separated; lower glumes 1.2-1.8 mm, to 1/3 as long as the spikelets, obtuse, glabrous, 5(-7)-veined, not clasping the base of the spikelets; upper glumes 3.2-4.7 mm, glabrous, 7(-9)-veined; lower florets sterile; lower lemmas 3.2-4.7 mm, glabrous, 5-veined; lower paleas present; upper lemmas 2.8-3.4 mm long, 1.8-2.3 mm wide, apices incurved, broadly acute to rounded, mucronulate; anthers about 1 mm. Caryopses 1.5-2.2 mm (Wipff and Thompson, 2003).
Distribution
Top of pageU. platyphylla is native to the southeastern United States, Cuba, and South America from Bolivia to Northern Argentina (Clayton et al., 2014). It can be found naturalized in Japan, Europe, Mexico and Central America, the West Indies, and other parts of South America (Clayton et al., 2014; USDA-ARS, 2014).
Distribution Table
Top of pageThe distribution in this summary table is based on all the information available. When several references are cited, they may give conflicting information on the status. Further details may be available for individual references in the Distribution Table Details section which can be selected by going to Generate Report.
Last updated: 17 Dec 2021Continent/Country/Region | Distribution | Last Reported | Origin | First Reported | Invasive | Reference | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Asia |
|||||||
Japan | Present | Introduced | Nansei-shoto | ||||
Europe |
|||||||
Belgium | Present | Introduced | |||||
Denmark | Present | Introduced | Weed | ||||
Spain | Present | Introduced | Naturalized | Naturalised | |||
United Kingdom | Present | Introduced | England | ||||
North America |
|||||||
Cuba | Present | Native | |||||
Honduras | Present | Introduced | |||||
Mexico | Present | Introduced | |||||
Trinidad and Tobago | Present | Introduced | Weed in vegetable crops | ||||
United States | Present | ||||||
-Alabama | Present | Native | |||||
-Arizona | Present | Native | |||||
-Arkansas | Present | Native | |||||
-Florida | Present | Native | |||||
-Georgia | Present | Native | |||||
-Illinois | Present | Native | |||||
-Kentucky | Present | Native | |||||
-Louisiana | Present | Native | |||||
-Maryland | Present | Native | |||||
-Mississippi | Present | Native | |||||
-Missouri | Present | Native | |||||
-North Carolina | Present | Native | |||||
-Oklahoma | Present | Native | |||||
-South Carolina | Present | Native | |||||
-Tennessee | Present | Native | |||||
-Texas | Present | Native | |||||
-Virginia | Present | Native | |||||
South America |
|||||||
Argentina | Present | Native | |||||
Bolivia | Present | ||||||
Brazil | Present | Present based on regional distribution. | |||||
-Ceara | Present | Introduced | Naturalized | Naturalised | |||
Paraguay | Present | Native | |||||
Uruguay | Present | Native | |||||
Venezuela | Present | Introduced |
History of Introduction and Spread
Top of pageU. platyphylla is a widespread summer growing weed of cultivation, gardens, roadsides and disturbed places. It is highly accepted that U. platyphylla has been unintentionally introduced into new areas as a contaminant in crop-seeds. Seeds of U. platyphylla often occur as contaminants of maize-seed exported from the USA (USDA-ARS, 2014; USDA-NRCS, 2014). In Belgium it was introduced with soyabeans and birdseed and it was first reported in 1992 (Verloove and Vandenberghe, 1993).
Risk of Introduction
Top of pageThe risk of introduction of U. platyphylla is high, mainly because it can be easily transported internationally as a seed contaminant.
Habitat
Top of pageU. platyphylla is a weed commonly found in ditches, roadsides and open and disturbed sites especially on sandy soils (Wipff and Thompson, 2003; Clayton et al., 2014; USDA-NRCS, 2014).
Habitat List
Top of pageCategory | Sub-Category | Habitat | Presence | Status |
---|---|---|---|---|
Terrestrial | Managed | Cultivated / agricultural land | Present, no further details | Harmful (pest or invasive) |
Terrestrial | Managed | Cultivated / agricultural land | Present, no further details | Natural |
Terrestrial | Managed | Disturbed areas | Present, no further details | Harmful (pest or invasive) |
Terrestrial | Managed | Disturbed areas | Present, no further details | Natural |
Terrestrial | Managed | Rail / roadsides | Present, no further details | Harmful (pest or invasive) |
Terrestrial | Managed | Rail / roadsides | Present, no further details | Natural |
Terrestrial | Natural / Semi-natural | Natural grasslands | Present, no further details | Harmful (pest or invasive) |
Terrestrial | Natural / Semi-natural | Natural grasslands | Present, no further details | Natural |
Hosts/Species Affected
Top of pageU. platyphylla grows as a weed in maize, groundnuts, rice, soyabean and citrus plantations where it has been documented to reduce yield (Futch and Hall, 2004; Alford et al., 2005; Sesto et al., 2011).
Host Plants and Other Plants Affected
Top of pagePlant name | Family | Context | References |
---|---|---|---|
Arachis hypogaea (groundnut) | Fabaceae | Main | |
Citrus | Rutaceae | Main | |
Glycine max (soyabean) | Fabaceae | Main | |
Oryza sativa (rice) | Poaceae | Main | |
Zea mays (maize) | Poaceae | Main |
Biology and Ecology
Top of pageGenetics
The chromosome number reported for U. platyphylla is 2n = 36 (Wipff and Thompson, 2003).
Reproductive Biology
In the USA, U. platyphylla flowers from July to September (USDA-ARS, 2014).
Climate
Top of pageClimate | Status | Description | Remark |
---|---|---|---|
Am - Tropical monsoon climate | Tolerated | Tropical monsoon climate ( < 60mm precipitation driest month but > (100 - [total annual precipitation(mm}/25])) | |
As - Tropical savanna climate with dry summer | Preferred | < 60mm precipitation driest month (in summer) and < (100 - [total annual precipitation{mm}/25]) | |
Aw - Tropical wet and dry savanna climate | Preferred | < 60mm precipitation driest month (in winter) and < (100 - [total annual precipitation{mm}/25]) | |
Cf - Warm temperate climate, wet all year | Tolerated | Warm average temp. > 10°C, Cold average temp. > 0°C, wet all year | |
Cs - Warm temperate climate with dry summer | Preferred | Warm average temp. > 10°C, Cold average temp. > 0°C, dry summers | |
Cw - Warm temperate climate with dry winter | Tolerated | Warm temperate climate with dry winter (Warm average temp. > 10°C, Cold average temp. > 0°C, dry winters) |
Air Temperature
Top of pageParameter | Lower limit | Upper limit |
---|---|---|
Absolute minimum temperature (ºC) | -9 | |
Mean maximum temperature of hottest month (ºC) | 28 | |
Mean minimum temperature of coldest month (ºC) | 6 |
Natural enemies
Top of pageNatural enemy | Type | Life stages | Specificity | References | Biological control in | Biological control on |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cochliobolus cynodontis | Pathogen | Plants|Leaves; Plants|Roots; Plants|Stems | not specific | |||
Cochliobolus geniculatus | Pathogen | Plants|Leaves; Plants|Roots; Plants|Stems | not specific | |||
Cochliobolus lunatus | Pathogen | Plants|Leaves; Plants|Roots; Plants|Stems | not specific | |||
Cochliobolus stenospilus | Pathogen | Plants|Leaves | not specific | |||
Setosphaeria rostrata | Pathogen | Plants|Leaves; Plants|Roots; Plants|Stems | not specific |
Notes on Natural Enemies
Top of pageThe following pathogens have been isolated from symptomatic leaves of U. platyphylla and can be frequently also observed on stems and roots:
- Cochliobolus cynodontis
- Cochliobolus lunatus
- Cochliobolus geniculatus
- Setosphaeria rostrata
- Cochliobolus stenospilus
These pathogens generate necrosis and dieback of leaves, stems, and roots, stunting, and plant death (Pratt, 2006).
Means of Movement and Dispersal
Top of pageU. platyphylla spreads by seeds. The seeds are tiny and spilled along roadsides, agricultural land and around feedlots where they may germinate, especially if they fall or are washed into ditches or damp places. Once established, U. platyphylla can be spread by implements such as headers, in irrigation and flood water, in soil, in seeds, and in plant debris.
Pathway Causes
Top of pageCause | Notes | Long Distance | Local | References |
---|---|---|---|---|
Crop production | Introduced as a contaminant in grass and crop-seeds | Yes | Yes | USDA-ARS (2014) |
Seed trade | Introduced as a contaminant in grass and crop-seeds | Yes | Yes | USDA-ARS (2014) |
Pathway Vectors
Top of pageVector | Notes | Long Distance | Local | References |
---|---|---|---|---|
Containers and packaging - wood | Introduced as a contaminant in grass and crop-seeds | Yes | Yes | USDA-ARS (2014) |
Impact Summary
Top of pageCategory | Impact |
---|---|
Economic/livelihood | Negative |
Environment (generally) | Negative |
Economic Impact
Top of pageU. platyphylla is an environmental and agricultural weed. This grass is very aggressive and can reduce yield in crops. B. platyphylla is a species of concern because it is more difficult to control than other weeds due to its resistance to the most common herbicides, causing great expense to producers (Chamblee et al., 1982; Gallaher et al.,1999; Alford et al., 2005; Sesto et al., 2011).
Risk and Impact Factors
Top of page- Proved invasive outside its native range
- Abundant in its native range
- Highly adaptable to different environments
- Is a habitat generalist
- Tolerates, or benefits from, cultivation, browsing pressure, mutilation, fire etc
- Pioneering in disturbed areas
- Benefits from human association (i.e. it is a human commensal)
- Fast growing
- Ecosystem change/ habitat alteration
- Modification of hydrology
- Modification of successional patterns
- Negatively impacts agriculture
- Reduced native biodiversity
- Competition - monopolizing resources
- Herbivory/grazing/browsing
- Rapid growth
- Highly likely to be transported internationally accidentally
- Difficult to identify/detect as a commodity contaminant
- Difficult/costly to control
Prevention and Control
Top of pageDue to the variable regulations around (de)registration of pesticides, your national list of registered pesticides or relevant authority should be consulted to determine which products are legally allowed for use in your country when considering chemical control. Pesticides should always be used in a lawful manner, consistent with the product's label.
Even when U. platyphylla is resistant to some of the most common herbicides, studies have shown that infestations can be effectively controlled with the herbicides such as Armezon [topramezone], Accent [nicosulfuron], and Glyphosate (Martin, 2001; Alford et al., 2005). For example, applications of Accent at 0.67 oz/A can provide approximately 90% control of U. platyphylla. To achieve maximum control of emerged plants, treatments should be made before plants produce seeds (Martin, 2001). In another study, U. platyphylla in maize fields was killed at various time intervals during the growing season by applying post-emergent glyphosate. In this study, maize injury was avoided by the use of a glyphosate-tolerant variety (Alford et al., 2005).
References
Top of pageAlanen A; Bongard T; Einarsson E; Hansen H; Hedlund L; Jansson K; Josefsson M; Philipp M; Sandlund OT; Svart ÂE; Svart HE; Weidema I, 2004. Introduced Species in the Nordic Countries (Denmark) under Nordic Council of Ministers (NMR). Natur-og Friluftslivsgruppen.
Brathwaite CWD; Pollard GV; Elango F; Haque SQ; Persad CG; Bala G; Brathwaite RAI; Griffith SM, 1987. Guidelines for the identification and diagnosis of damage in crop plant caused by insects, diseases, weed and nutrients disorders. Port Spain, Trinidad and Tobago: Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agiculture (IICA), 160 pp.
Clayton WD; Govaerts R; Harman KT; Williamson H; Vorontsova M, 2014. GrassBase - The Online World Grass Flora. http://www.kew.org/data/grasses-db.html
DAISIE, 2014. Delivering Alien Invasive Species Inventories for Europe. European Invasive Alien Species Gateway. www.europe-aliens.org/default.do
Futch SH; Hall DW, 2004. Identification of Grass Weeds in Florida Citrus. Document HS955., USA: Horticultural Sciences Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, 7 pp. [Journal Series No. T-00610.] http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu
Martin JR, 2001. Broadleaf signalgrass control in corn. Kentucky Pest News. The Bulletin, IPM 914. http://www.uky.edu/Ag/kpn/pdf/kpn_914.pdf
Morrone O; Zuloaga FO, 1993. Synopsis of the genus Urochloa (Poaceae: Panicoideae: Paniceae) from Mexico and Central America. (Sinopsis del género Urochloa (Poaceae: Panicoideae: Paniceae) para Mexico y América Central.) Darwiniana, 32:59-75.
Sesto ME; Schabes FI; Sigstad EE, 2011. A calorimetric study of the interaction between Brachiaria platyphylla and soil microbial activity. Thermochimica Acta, 526:157-162.
Sharp D; Simon BK, 2002. AusGrass1: Grasses of Australia. Canberra and Queensland, Australia: Australian Biological Resources Study and Environmental Protection Agency.
Shirasuna RT, 2014. Urochloa in Lista de Espécies da Flora do Brasil ([English title not available]). Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro. http://reflora.jbrj.gov.br/jabot/floradobrasil/FB24316
Stevens PF, 2012. Angiosperm Phylogeny Website. http://www.mobot.org/MOBOT/research/APweb/
USDA-ARS, 2014. Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). Online Database. Beltsville, Maryland, USA: National Germplasm Resources Laboratory. https://npgsweb.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/taxon/taxonomysearch.aspx
USDA-NRCS, 2014. The PLANTS Database. Baton Rouge, USA: National Plant Data Center. http://plants.usda.gov/
Veldkamp JF, 2004. Miscellaneous notes on mainly Southeast Asian gramineae. Reinwardtia, 12:135-140.
Verloove F; Vandenberghe C, 1993. [English title not available]. (Nieuwe en interessante graanadventieven voor de Noordvlaamse en Noordfranse flora, hoofdzakelijk in 1992.) Dumortiera, 54:35-57.
Webster RD, 1987. Australian Paniceae (Poaceae). Berlin, Germany: J. Cramer, 322
Wipff JK; Thompson RA, 2003. Urochloa. In: Flora of North America vol. 25 [ed. by Barkworth, M. E. \Capels, K. M. \Long, S. \Piep, M. B.]. http://herbarium.usu.edu/webmanual
Distribution References
Alanen A, Bongard T, Einarsson E, Hansen H, Hedlund L, Jansson K, Josefsson M, Philipp M, Sandlund OT, Svart ÂE, Svart HE, Weidema I, 2004. Introduced Species in the Nordic Countries (Denmark) under Nordic Council of Ministers (NMR)., Natur-og Friluftslivsgruppen.
Brathwaite CWD, Pollard GV, Elango F, Haque SQ, Persad CG, Bala G, Brathwaite RAI, Griffith SM, 1987. Guidelines for the identification and diagnosis of damage in crop plant caused by insects, diseases, weed and nutrients disorders., Port Spain, Trinidad and Tobago: Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agiculture (IICA). 160 pp.
CABI, Undated. CABI Compendium: Status inferred from regional distribution. Wallingford, UK: CABI
CABI, Undated a. CABI Compendium: Status as determined by CABI editor. Wallingford, UK: CABI
Clayton WD, Govaerts R, Harman KT, Williamson H, Vorontsova M, 2014. GrassBase - The Online World Grass Flora., http://www.kew.org/data/grasses-db.html
DAISIE, 2014. Delivering Alien Invasive Species Inventories for Europe. http://www.europe-aliens.org/
Shirasuna RT, 2014. [English title not available]. (Urochloa in Lista de Espécies da Flora do Brasil)., Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro. http://reflora.jbrj.gov.br/jabot/floradobrasil/FB24316
USDA-ARS, 2014. Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). Online Database. Beltsville, Maryland, USA: National Germplasm Resources Laboratory. https://npgsweb.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/taxon/taxonomysimple.aspx
USDA-NRCS, 2014. The PLANTS Database. Greensboro, North Carolina, USA: National Plant Data Team. https://plants.sc.egov.usda.gov
Links to Websites
Top of pageWebsite | URL | Comment |
---|---|---|
Grasses in North America | http://herbarium.usu.edu/webmanual/ |
Contributors
Top of page5/06/15 Updated by:
Julissa Rojas-Sandoval, Department of Botany-Smithsonian NMNH, Washington DC, USA
25/11/14 Original text by:
Julissa Rojas-Sandoval, Department of Botany-Smithsonian NMNH, Washington DC, USA
Pedro Acevedo-Rodríguez, Department of Botany-Smithsonian NMNH, Washington DC, USA
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