Cool 2,4-d images

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Pearl Millet, Pennisetum americanum, Pennisetum glaucum ….Kê Voi,Kê Ngọc, Lúa Miêu….#8


Image by Vietnam Plants & The USA. plants

Chụp hình vào ngày 29-7-2011 , tại Thủ Thiêm, thành phố Hồ chí Minh, miền Nam Việt- Nam.

Taken on July 29, 2011 in Thu Thiem, Ho chi Minh city, Southern of Vietnam.

Vietnamese named : Kê voi, Lúa Miêu, Kê Ngọc..

Common names : Bulrush Millet, Pearl Millet, Dukn (the Sudan), Bajra (India), Babala (Natal).

Scientist name : Pennisetum americanum (L.) Leeke

Synonyms : Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br. , Cenchrus americanus (L.) Morrone, Pennisetum typhoides auct. non (Burm.) Stapf & C.E. Hubbard

Family : Poaceae – Grass family

Group : Monocot

Duration : Annual – Perennial

Growth Habit : Graminoid

Kingdom : Plantae – Plants

Subkingdom : Tracheobionta – Vascular plants

Superdivision : Spermatophyta – Seed plants

Division : Magnoliophyta – Flowering plants

Class : Liliopsida – Monocotyledons

Subclass : Commelinidae

Order : Cyperales

Genus : Pennisetum Rich. ex Pers. – fountaingrass

Species : Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br. – pearl millet

**** newvietart.com/index4.282.html : truy tìm gốc tích cây Kê.

**** www2.hcmuaf.edu.vn/contents.php?ur=dothiloi&ids=2095

1. Lập xong bản đồ gen cây kê

Các chuyên gia ở Bộ nông nghiệp và Viện nghiên cứu di truyền Mỹ vừa lập xong bản đồ gen của cây kê (hay còn gọi là lúa miến), một loại cây lương thực khá phổ biến ở các vùng có khí hậu ấm. Đây là cây lương thực chủ đạo ở Mỹ, chỉ đứng sau cây ngô và cũng là loại cây lương thực đầu vào rất phổ biến cho ngành công nghiệp sản xuất nhiên liệu sinh học rất khả thi vì hạt kê có hàm lượng ethanol cao, sử dụng ít hơn tới 1/3 lượng nước khi chế biến, ngoài ra thân cây kê cũng có giá trị rất cao trong việc sản xuất nhiên liệu sinh học.

Theo các chuyên gia của dự án thì hệ ADN của kê cũng có những nét tương đồng với hệ gen của lúa, nhưng có những vùng lại mang tính lặp lại phức tạp và kích thước cũng có sự khác biệt. Với việc giải mã thành công hệ gen của cây kê đã giúp khoa học hiểu sâu thêm về các loại cây lương thực đầu vào cho ngành công nghiệp sản xuất nhiên liệu sinh học, như loại cỏ có tên là switchgrass hay giống mía cho năng suất cao. Cho đến nay kê là loại cây lương thực thứ hai sau lúa được giải mã thành công, với xấp xỉ 730 triệu nucleotides, kê có hệ gen lớn gấp 75% so với hệ gen của cây lúa.

**** thucduongohsawa.wordpress.com/2011/05/03/cong-d%E1%BB%A5n…

Một chén chè kê vào những ngày mùa hè có thể giúp bạn giải nhiệt. Nghiên cứu của các nhà khoa học tại Viện Dinh dưỡng Ấn Độ cho thấy, hạt kê còn có tác dụng lợi tiểu, ngừa sỏi thận, tiêu chảy và tiểu đường.Riêng những ai hay bị đau bao tử, mắc chứng khó tiêu dùng hạt kê trong chế độ ăn hằng ngày cũng sẽ có lợi. Kê còn giúp làm sạch miệng, chống hôi miệng do có công dụng làm chậm quá trình sinh sôi nảy nở của các loại vi khuẩn trong miệng. Hạt kê do giàu axit amin và silic nên giúp các thai phụ ngừa sẩy thai và tình trạng nôn ọe mỗi sáng. Kê còn có tác dụng chống các loại nấm trên cơ thể.

Bá»™ phận dùng: Hạt và mầm hạt (Cốc nha hay Túc nha) – Semen Setariae et Fructus Setariae Germinatus.

Nơi sống và thu hái: Gốc ở Ấn độ, được trồng nhiều để lấy hạt làm lương thực và làm thức ăn gia súc. Cây mọc nhanh, có thể mọc trên các loại đất cát vùng đồng bằng và cả ở trên các vùng núi.

Thành phần hoá học: Sau khi sấy vỏ, hạt chứa 73% hydrat carbon, 10,8% protein và 2,9% lipid. Các acid amin từ protein được giải phóng do sự lên men thấp hơn ở sữa và Lúa mì.

Tính vị, tác dụng: Kê có vị ngọt, tính bình, có tác dụng bổ thận. Ở Ấn độ, được xem như lợi tiểu và thu liễm. Cốc nha có vị ngọt, tính ấm, có tác dụng tiêu thực hoà trung, kiện tỳ khai vị; cốc nha sao lại tiêu thực; còn cốc nha tiêu (sao cháy) có tác dụng làm tiêu tích trệ.

Công dụng: Kê thuộc loại lương thực thường dùng trong nhân dân. Cũng được dùng làm thuốc chữa lậu nhiệt, ho nhiệt, ho khan.

Ở Ấn độ, người ta dùng ngoài trị thấp khớp và là vị thuốc gia dụng làm dịu các cơn đau do sinh đẻ.

Ở Trung quốc, hạt dùng nấu cháo cho người đau dạ dày và bột các hạt đã rang, pha với nước mật dùng cho trẻ em bị bệnh nhọt. Cốc nha dùng chữa ăn uống không tiêu, bụng đầy miệng hôi, tỳ vị hư yếu; kém ăn; cốc nha sao dùng trị kém ăn; cốc nha tiêu dùng trị tích trệ không tiêu. Liều dùng 9-15g.

Đơn thuốc:

1. Chữa âm hư háo khát, mỏi mệt bải hoải sau những buổi thức đêm mất ngủ hay lao động, phòng dục quá độ, trong người hấp nóng, ho, mồ hôi trộm, khó ngủ: dùng hạt Kê nấu chè đường ăn thì mát khoẻ, lại sức.

Lượng vitamin B1, B2 có trong hạt kê cao hơn từ 1 – 1,5 lần so với lúa gạo. Ngoài ra trong hạt kê còn có chứa nhiều nguyên tố vi lượng khác như methionine (một amino axit thiết yếu) vì thế hạt kê có tác dụng duy trì tế bào não, tăng cường trí nhớ và làm giảm quá trình lão hóa.

**** www.mientayonline.net/hat-ke.aspx

Hạt kê là một trong năm loại hạt căn bản của nhà nông Việt Nam. Thế nên không biết từ bao giờ hạt kê đã đi vào các câu chuyện,hay những câu hát ru của người dân Việt Nam " Em tôi buồn ngủ buồn nghê. Thèm ăn cơm nếp cháo kê thịt gà

Một chén chè kê vào những ngày mùa hè có thể giúp bạn giải nhiệt. Nghiên cứu của các nhà khoa học tại Viện Dinh dưỡng Ấn Độ cho thấy, hạt kê còn có tác dụng lợi tiểu, ngừa sỏi thận, tiêu chảy và tiểu đường.Riêng những ai hay bị đau bao tử, mắc chứng khó tiêu dùng hạt kê trong chế độ ăn hằng ngày cũng sẽ có lợi. Kê còn giúp làm sạch miệng, chống hôi miệng do có công dụng làm chậm quá trình sinh sôi nảy nở của các loại vi khuẩn trong miệng. Hạt kê do giàu axit amin và silic nên giúp các thai phụ ngừa sẩy thai và tình trạng nôn ọe mỗi sáng. Kê còn có tác dụng chống các loại nấm trên cơ thể.

Bá»™ phận dùng: Hạt và mầm hạt (Cốc nha hay Túc nha) – Semen Setariae et Fructus Setariae Germinatus

Nơi sống và thu hái: Gốc ở Ấn độ, được trồng nhiều để lấy hạt làm lương thực và làm thức ăn gia súc. Cây mọc nhanh, có thể mọc trên các loại đất cát vùng đồng bằng và cả ở trên các vùng núi.

Thành phần hoá học: Sau khi sấy vỏ, hạt chứa 73% hydrat carbon, 10,8% protein và 2,9% lipid. Các acid amin từ protein được giải phóng do sự lên men thấp hơn ở sữa và Lúa mì.

Tính vị, tác dụng: Kê có vị ngọt, tính bình, có tác dụng bổ thận. Ở Ấn độ, được xem như lợi tiểu và thu liễm. Cốc nha có vị ngọt, tính ấm, có tác dụng tiêu thực hoà trung, kiện tỳ khai vị; cốc nha sao lại tiêu thực; còn cốc nha tiêu (sao cháy) có tác dụng làm tiêu tích trệ.

Công dụng: Kê thuộc loại lương thực thường dùng trong nhân dân. Cũng được dùng làm thuốc chữa lậu nhiệt, ho nhiệt, ho khan. Ở Ấn độ, người ta dùng ngoài trị thấp khớp và là vị thuốc gia dụng làm dịu các cơn đau do sinh đẻ. Ở Trung quốc, hạt dùng nấu cháo cho người đau dạ dày và bột các hạt đã rang, pha với nước mật dùng cho trẻ em bị bệnh nhọt. Cốc nha dùng chữa ăn uống không tiêu, bụng đầy miệng hôi, tỳ vị hư yếu; kém ăn; cốc nha sao dùng trị kém ăn; cốc nha tiêu dùng trị tích trệ không tiêu. Liều dùng 9-15g.

**** vietbao.vn/Kham-pha-Viet-Nam/Che-hat-ke/1735139065/150/

Mỗi dịp giỗ chạp, cúng quẩy thế nào mẹ tôi cũng nấu món chè kê. Cũng lạ, từ những hạt kê nhỏ xíu, chỉ bằng cái đầu tăm, lại có thể nảy mầm phát triển thành cây kê to khỏe. Cây kê cũng giống như cây lúa, có mùa, có vụ. Trước đây, quê tôi trồng kê nhiều lắm. Đến mùa vụ người ta thu hái kê rồi phơi khô. Những hạt kê màu vàng ươm, nhỏ như trứng cá theo tay bà, tay mẹ sàng sẩy rơi đều từ nia. Ngày trước, đến mùa, hạt kê được phơi thành từng mảng vàng ươm trước sân nhà. Bọn trẻ chúng tôi có nhiệm vụ phải canh chừng không để gà vịt tới gần ăn hạt kê đang phơi.

Hạt kê là nguyên liệu làm nên những món rất ngon. Ví như món bánh tráng kê mà mẹ thường làm: kê đã nấu chín, sau đó phết lên miếng bánh tráng nướng giòn, quết một lớp đậu xanh chín nhuyễn, rắc tiếp một lớp đường nữa là đã có món bánh tráng kê mà tôi rất khoái khẩu. Kê còn được nấu thành dạng cháo lỏng mà ngày trước tụi con nít chúng tôi thường xuyên được thưởng thức. Đây là mốn dễ ăn, lại bổ dưỡng. Nhưng dẫu gì thì món chè kê vẫn là phổ biến nhất và được chuộng cho đến giờ.

Nguyên liệu làm nên bát chè khá giản đơn: hạt kê, lát gừng, mật mía. Tuy vậy, chè kê được chế biến hết sức tỉ mẩn, người nấu phải có sự tinh tế cao. Bí quyết trước tiên là phải biết chọn hạt kê có sắc vàng đậm, loại kê này ngon, đậm đà và dày cơm hơn. Kê nhỏ li ti rất dễ lẫn cát nên phải dùng cái rá chuyên vo gạo để vo kê. Kê đãi sạch, ngâm gần một tiếng đồng hồ rồi bắc nồi nước đun sôi cho kê vào. Phải đun lửa liu riu, khi nồi kê kêu sục sục thì bắt đầu khuấy. Thao tác khuấy phải đều tay, thấy kê chín thì cho đường hoặc mật mía và một ít gừng đã giã nhỏ vào. Nồi chè sánh lại là ngừng lửa ngay. Nếu người chế biến chỉ cần sơ ý khuấy già tay một chút, chè sẽ mất đi hương dịu dàng của hạt kê và vị ngọt lịm của mật mía .

Mỗi lần nhà có việc cúng quẩy, tôi lại được ngồi bên bếp lửa hồng chăm chú xem mẹ nấu chè hạt kê. Nhìn bát chè kê nhỏ nhắn, xinh xinh được múc ra đặt lên bàn thờ, mới biết không phải tự nhiên mà chè kê trở thành nỗi nhớ của người xa quê.

Vietbao (Theo: quehuongonline.vn)

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**** plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=PEGL2

**** en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pearl_millet

**** www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Pennisetum+glaucum

Common NamePearl Millet

Family : Poaceae or Gramineae

Synonyms : P.americanum. (L.)Schum. P. typhoideum. Rich.

Known Hazards : None known

Habitats : River banks in sandy soils, common as a weed[74].

Range : E. Asia – China.

Physical Characteristics

Pennisetum glaucum is a ANNUAL growing to 3 m (9ft 10in). It is in flower from Sep to October, and the seeds ripen from Sep to October. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Wind.

Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

Habitats

Cultivated Beds :

Edible Parts: Seed.

Edible Uses:

Seed – raw or cooked. It can be used like rice in sweet or savoury dishes, or can be ground into a powder and used as a flour for making bread, porridge etc[74, 105, 183]. The grain is often fermented to make various foods[183] The sweet tasting grains are eaten raw by children[183]. Very nutritious[171].

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.

Appetizer; Skin; Tonic.

The plant is appetiser and tonic[240]. It is useful in the treatment of heart diseases[240]. The fruits have been rubbed on open facial pimples in order to get rid of them[257].

Other Uses

None known

Cultivation details

Requires a light well-drained soil in a sunny position[162]. Succeeds in dry infertile soils[160]. This species is the most drought-resistant of all cereal crops[162]. Cultivated for its edible seed in tropical and sub-tropical areas[61, 142], it is especially suited to regions with a short growing season[266]. It is a more problematical crop in Britain, requiring a hot summer if it is to ripen a good crop of seed. There are often not many seeds on the inflorescence[160].

Propagation

Seed – sow spring in a greenhouse. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in early summer.

**** www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/nexus/pennisetum_glaucum_nex…. : Click on link to read more, please.

Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.

Syn.: Pennisetum typhoides (Burm.) Stapf & Hubb.

Pennisetum americanum (L.) Leeke

Poaceae, or Gramineae

Pearl millet, Bullrush millet, Cattail millet

**** www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16666186

Plant Physiol. 1988 Jul;87(3):566-70.

Carbohydrate Responsive Proteins in the Roots of Pennisetum americanum.

Baysdorfer C, Vanderwoude WJ.

Source

United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville, Maryland 20705.

Abstract

The effect of changes in carbohydrate status on the synthesis of specific proteins was investigated in millet (Pennisetum americanum L., Leeke, Tift 23B(1)E(1)) seedlings grown in sterile solution culture. Carbohydrate status was altered by extended darkness and sucrose feeding. Root proteins from intact seedlings were labeled with [(35)S]methionine, phenol-extracted, separated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, and visualized by autoradiography. In four separate experiments, two proteins showed a consistent change in labeling when root carbohydrate levels were varied between 200 and 1000 micromole hexose per gram residual dry weight. Labeling of the first protein (P(47), M(r) 47 kD) increased as the carbohydrate levels rose above 500 micromole hexose per gram residual dry weight. Labeling of the second protein (P(34), M(r) 34 kD) increased as carbohydrate levels declined from 500 to 200 micromole hexose per gram residual dry weight. Under extreme conditions, when carbohydrate levels fell below 100 micromole hexose per gram residual dry weight, the labeling pattern of most proteins was drastically altered. It is suggested that P(47) and P(34) are ;carbohydrate responsive proteins,’ i.e. proteins whose concentrations are controlled either directly or indirectly by tissue carbohydrate status. In contrast, the changes in protein labeling that occur once carbohydrate pools are depleted may be involved in adaptation to periods of prolonged starvation.

**** www.fao.org/ag/AGP/agpc/doc/Gbase/DATA/Pf000297.HTM

Pennisetum americanum (L.) Leeke

Graminae

Synonyms

P. glaucum (L.) R. Br.; P. typhoides (Burm.) Stapf and C.E. Hubb.

Common names

Bulrush millet, pearl millet, dukn (the Sudan), bajra (India), babala (Natal).

Description

A robust and free-tillering annual growing to a height of 3 m. Stems 10-20 mm thick; above each node is a shallow groove containing an axillary bud. Nodes slightly swollen; they bear a ring of adventitious root primordia at the basal end. Leaves flat, dark green and up to 8 cm wide. The inflorescence forms a compact, cylindrical, terminal, spike-like panicle. There are 870-3 000 spikelets on a panicle. Seeds small, 3-4 mm, wedge-shaped of various colours according to variety.

Distribution

Originated in central tropical Africa, but cultivated since 1200 BC in India. Now widely distributed in the drier tropics.

Season of growth

Summer.

Altitude range

800-1 800 m.

Rainfall requirements

It is grown in areas with an average annual rainfall of 125-900 mm, the lower rainfall areas using it as a grain crop where maize and sorghum fail. It is sown at low populations to allow each plant to find more soil moisture. Where dry matter for forage is the consideration, a minimum rainfall of 500 mm is required. Late rainfall is important for grain development in weeks 5-12.

Drought tolerance

It is drought tolerant. Its roots may penetrate to 360 cm, although 80 percent of the root weight is in the top 10 cm.

Soil requirements

Bulrush millet grows on a wide range of soils, from sands in the Sudan to clays. It is tolerant of very acid soils. It grows best in a well-drained fertile soil.

Ability to spread naturally

Practically nil.

Land preparation for establishment

For good crops it needs full seed-bed preparation as for cereals. In sandy soils in Africa, the ground is dug over with a hoe and weeded prior to planting.

Sowing methods

In peasant areas a few seeds are dropped in holes dug with a hoe, 45-90 cm apart according to rainfall, and covered. Mechanical drilling is common in developed countries.

Sowing depth and cover

Sowing depth varies from 13-50 mm, the optimum being 35-40 mm.

Sowing time and rate

Early summer, at 6-10 kg/ha is usual when drilled in rows 35-70 cm apart.

Number of seeds per kg.

About 187 000.

Seed treatment before planting

Where needed, it can be dusted with a combined insecticide- fungicide. A one-hour soak in 1 percent 2-chloroethanol plus 0.5 percent sodium hypochlorite solution was found to be effective in increasing germination rates.

Tolerance to herbicides

Albert (1961) obtained effective control of the weedy Digitaria ciliaris (sanguinalis) and Amaranthus spp. by pre-emergence application of simazine at 1 kg, and atrazine and propazine at 1 and 2 kg/ha, without crop injury. 2,4-D at 0.5 kg/ha gave good weed control without crop injury if applied 21 days after sowing.

Seedling vigour

Slow in the early stages of growth. It is good as temperature rises to 20-22°C.

Vigour of growth and growth rhythm

Norman (1962a) recognized three distinct development phases: an early tillering period, a period of rapid increase in dry weight and tiller height, and a period of head production. Full tiller production occurred in the fifth week with full light interception. Phillips and Norman (1967) recorded one of the highest growth rates recorded for any species when they measured the variety ‘Ingrid Pearl’, 14-16 weeks after sowing, as accumulating dry matter at the rate of 58 g/m2 per day. Flowering occurs about the thirteenth week.

Response to defoliation

In the United States, three cuts of highly palatable green fodder are taken at six- to seven-week intervals. Late-maturing varieties are favoured for forage production. High regrowth yields after defoliation can best be obtained if the cutting height is above the apical meristem, and it is suggested that the crop be grazed rotationally when about 45 cm tall. Regrowth after later harvests declines rapidly (Begg, 1965).

Grazing management

Pearl millet should be subject to relatively frequent but lenient defoliation to maintain quality. The crop should not be allowed to grow above 1 m high before grazing starts. Forage intake varied from a high of 3.1 kg DM/100 kg body weight on immature forage to a low of 1.4 kg on mature forage over a five-year period (Ferraris, 1973). Density of tiller regrowth after cutting was reduced from 54 percent when cut at 4 weeks to about 3 percent when cut at 14-16 weeks.

Dry-matter and green-matter yields

A yield of 21 735 kg DM/ha was recorded at Katherine, Northern Territory, Australia. In Alabama, United States, forage dry-matter yields varied from 6 000-10 500 kg/ha with 40 kg N/ha applied at sowing and again for each cut.

In Queensland, Australia, Douglas (1974) recorded the following comparative dry-matter yields between Sudan grasses and pearl millet on a fertile, irrigated soil.

Suitability for hay and silage

Little hay has been made, and Norman and Stewart (1964) preferred a standing mature crop for dry-season grazing to conservation. However, the crop has been ensiled successfully in several countries (Ghana, Nigeria, the United States, Zimbabwe), and has proved the equal of maize silage when cut at eight to 12 weeks (full flowering). Chapman (1978), in Natal, found the best time to harvest was three weeks after flowering, when its dry-matter yield compared favourably with maize.

Value as a standover or deferred feed

Norman and Stewart (1964) found the crop excellent for dry-season grazing by beef cattle, and live-weight gains averaged 296 kg/ha over 16 weeks at Katherine, Northern Territory Australia, during a period when live weight on native pasture declined.

Toxicity

Grazing lactating cows on millet has led to marked butterfat depression, and it has been suggested (Schneider et al., 1970) that high succinic and oxalic acids may be the cause. Under heavy nitrogen fertilization, high nitrate may be recorded. HCN contents are not sufficiently high to be hazardous to stock.

Seed yield

Millet hybrids have been known to yield up to 6 t grain per hectare, but yields in the Northern Territory of Australia have been nearer 600 kg/ha.

Cultivars

‘Katherine Pearl’

derived from seed introduced from Ghana and developed by CSIRO Australia, at Katherine, Northern Territory. It requires a growing season of three to four months from sowing to flowering, and a day length of 12-12.5 hours for flower formation. A high producer of dry matter and crude protein during the wet season, averaging almost 12 000 kg DM/ha per year over an 11-year period. Grain yields averaged 650 kg/ha. The crude protein content of the young plant reaches 28 percent but decreases to 8 percent at maturity. The seed is pearly white to grey.

‘Ingrid Pearl’

introduced to Australia from West Africa. It has leaves which are less hairy, lighter green and wider than ‘Katherine Pearl’. Seeds are smaller, yellow or greenish-grey, and very tightly packed in the seed- head. It flowers one to two weeks earlier than ‘Katherine Pearl’ and hence is more suited to a short wet season.

‘Tamworth’

selected from crosses of cv. Gahi, bred in Georgia, United States. It is mainly used for late summer and autumn grazing in the coastal districts of New South Wales.

‘MX 001′

the first hybrid Pennisetum millet produced commercially in Australia. It produces fine-leaved forage from vigorously tillering plants. It matures early- to mid-season, after making rapid initial growth (Douglas, 1974).

‘Kawanda 4′

a high-yielding variety in Uganda, yielding 18 135 kg/ha of dry matter, with 10.2 percent protein.

Hybrids P 99, P 97 and P 81

resulting from crosses between P. purpureum and P. americanum. They have proved very productive in Uganda, P 99 being the best. Mugerwa and Ogwang (1979) suggest cutting at eight to ten weeks for direct feeding or conservation as silage. The yields of hybrids P 99, P 97 and P 81 were 20 726, 20 344 and 17 378 kg/ha of dry matter, and 9.8, 9.1 and 7.8 percent crude protein respectively.

‘Starr’

a synthetic variety developed by pooling selfed seeds from a number of leafy, medium-tall, uniformly-maturing F1 progenies from a wide cross (Burton & Powell, 1968).

‘Tiflate’

a short-day, photoperiod-sensitive, late-maturing synthetic that remains vegetative throughout the long summer season in Georgia, United States. It is leafier, easier to manage, gives better seasonal distribution of forage, and lasts longer than ‘Starr’ (Burton & Powell, 1968).

‘Gahi 1′

similar to ‘Starr’, but is capable of yielding 25-30 percent more forage. It is a first-generation chance hybrid (Burton & Powell, 1968).

‘Tiff 23A’

produces high forage yields in the United States and improves the quality (digestibility and disease resistance) of its hybrids (Burton, 1970).

‘Millex 22′

a commercial variety of hybrid pearl millet in the United States, produced by crossing selected males on Tift 23A pearl millet (Burton, 1970).

‘Anand’

the most suitable fodder cultivar in Haryana, India (Singh et al., 1977).

Pennisetum americanum x P. purpureum hybrids

hybrid pennisetums, such as Napier-bajra hybrid, elephant-bajra hybrid or hybrid Napier on cv. Gajraj and cv. Pusa Giant Napier, give very high fodder yields. The all-India trials yielded 200-400 tonnes green forage per hectare per year. It is palatable and readily eaten by cattle and sheep, and is a good standover forage for maintenance only. It is useful for silage. Seed-producing F1 hybrids have not yet been obtained (Muldoon & Pearson, 1979).

Diseases

The main diseases, among many listed by Ferraris (1973), are smuts (caused by Helminthosporium spp.), downy mildew and top rot. In Queensland, a leaf spot is caused by a fungus, Cercospora.

Main attributes

It is the main cereal in semi-arid regions where sorghum cannot be profitable. It is a palatable, high-yielding summer forage, generally free from HCN; it can exploit soil nutrients to the full and tolerate water stress.

Main deficiencies

It is a little coarse for hay.

Optimum temperature for growth

Summer temperatures should be high. Maximum germination occurs at a day/night temperature of 20/25°C (R.M. Hughes, 1979).

Minimum temperature for growth

7.0°C + 6.3. Low temperatures retard germination and at 10°C, photosynthesis is negligible (Russell & Webb, 1976).

Frost tolerance

Temperatures near 0°C are lethal.

Latitudinal limits

14-32°N and S (Russell & Webb, 1976).y

Ability to compete with weeds

Most crops of pearl millet are sown in rows and cultivated between the rows. Where fodder crops are grown at high densities the crop canopy suppresses weed growth.

Maximum germination and quality required for sale

70 percent germinable seed, 97.3 percent purity (Queensland).

Pests

In Africa one of the worst pests is the root parasite, Striga hermonthica, and less commonly S. Iutea. The red-billed weaver bird, locusts and Quelea quelea aethiopica take heavy toll. Heliothis armigera attacks seed-heads, and the stem borer, Coniesta ignefusalis, is also damaging. Ferraris (1973) gives a full list of pests.

Palatability

Young pearl millet is very palatable.

Response to photoperiod

Both day-neutral and short-day varieties exist. Burton and Powell (1968) suggested that short-day, photoperiod-sensitive, late-maturing millets should be superior to the other lines since they are leafier and have a better seasonal distribution of forage production. Grain production would best be improved by the use of photoperiod-insensitive types which mature early. The crop would thus escape drought and could be planted several times a year if conditions were favourable.

Chemical analysis and digestibility

The crude protein content depends on the age of the crop, young growth giving the highest proportion. Dry- matter digestibility ranges from 75.3 percent in young pearl millet leaves to 61.4 percent in old leaves. The lowest digestibility figure was 55 percent in mature, previously-grazed stands which were making slow recovery (see also Digitaria ciliaris).

Natural habitat

Cultivation.

Tolerance to flooding

It does not tolerate flooding, especially during the summer.

Fertilizer requirements

Bulrush millet is seldom manured by villagers in Africa; in India, farmyard manure may be used, and African nomads plant it on village cattle camps when the herds go on trek. The most common fertilizer element in use under cultivation is nitrogen at 60-100 kg N/ha, balanced with about half this level of P2O5, and potassium as needed. For use as fodder higher nitrogen dressings may be used. Bulrush millet has an outstanding ability to recover deep accumulations of nitrate nitrogen from soils. In the United States, fodder dry matter responds to fertilizer nitrogen up to 400 kg/ha.

Compatibility with other grasses and legumes

It is usually grown as a pure stand. In India it has been grown with Cajanus cajan, the mixture providing a useful cover to reduce soil erosion.

Genetics and reproduction

2n=14; the haploid chromosome number in pollen mother cells is thus 7. Burton and Powell (1968) consider millet to be an excellent plant for genetic and cytogenetic research, as the small number of large chromosomes and the clear meiotic stages allow detailed study. Interspecific hybridization of P. americanum has usually only been successful with P. purpureum. Bana grass is one such cross and is widely used in south-east Queensland as a wind- break on vegetable farms; it also provides useful fodder. A millet-breeding unit is centred on the EAAFRO, Serere Research Station in Uganda and at Coastal Plains Research Station, Tifton, Georgia, United States.

Seed production and harvesting

Seeds are ready to harvest three to four weeks after anthesis. They vary from 3 to 10 mg in weight. Uneven ripening of tillers necessitates multiple harvests where manual methods are used. The seed can be harvested directly by combines, but for tall varieties a roller attached in front of the comb will make the harvesting height easier to handle.

Economics

Pearl millet is an important grain crop in Africa where the rainfall is not secure enough for sorghum or maize. In the United States and Australia it is a useful, non-toxic forage to replace forage sorghum. The stalks are used in the dry tropics for home building.

Animal production

In southern Africa, pearl millet yielded an average of 25.2 tonnes of green matter (Haylett, 1961). Clark, Hemken and Vandersall (1965) found pearl millet equivalent to Sudan grass and a sorghum x Sudan grass hybrid for dry- matter yield, carrying capacity and milk yield for lactating cows. Carrying capacity varied from 4.7 to 6.7 cows per hectare per day with millet over a three-year period, and adjusted milk production averaged 19.8 kg per day. Body weight losses were least with millet. The grazing season averaged 121 days. At Katherine, in the Northern Territory, Australia, wet season grazing by beef cattle at a stocking rate of 2.5 beasts per hectare produced a live-weight gain of 102 kg per head in 20-24 weeks, an increase of 51 kg per head over native pasture (Norman, 1963b). Cattle grazing standing millet in the dry season made an average live-weight gain of 269 kg/ha over 16 weeks, during a period when animals grazing natural pasture lost weight (Norman & Stewart, 1964). Between January and March in the Macquarie Valley, New South Wales, irrigated cv. MX 001 yielded 18 950 kg DM/ha and 274 kg/ha of live-weight gain, 0.95 kg per day on a per caput basis (Upton, 1978). At Katherine, Northern Territory, Norman and Phillips (1968) conducted 18 grazing trials (from 1960 to 1967) with pearl millet.

Further reading

Burton & Powell, 1968; Ferraris, 1973; Muldoon & Pearson, 1979; Vicente-Chandler, Silva & Figarella, 1959.

Dormancy

Several reports state that the seed of pearl millet exhibits post harvest dormancy of several weeks.

Value for erosion control

In pure stands (for seed production) it affords little soil protection, but in dense stands (for forage production) or in conjunction with a legume, for example Cajanus cajan in India, it is useful.

Tolerance to salinity

It is tolerant of salinity and was used for reclamation of salt lands in Sind because of its ability to take up salts (Tamhane & Mulwani, 1937; Ravikovitch & Porath, 1967). Soil salt concentrations of 1 400 to 2 600 ppm produced only slight tip burn (Smith & Clark, 1968).#S

Links for the genus:

Grass genera of the world: Rich information about the genus, photographs, drawings and links to other grasses

The Pennisetum genus: Description and links to other Poaceae

Species, cultivars, culture and propagation

Flower of Mimosa diplotricha … Hoa Trinh nữ móc, Trinh nữ thân vuông …


Image by Vietnam Plants & The USA. plants

Vietnamese named : Trinh nữ móc, Trinh nữ thân vuông

English names : Giant sensitive plant, Giant false sensitive plant, Creeping sensitive plant

Scientist name : Mimosa diplotricha C. Wright.

Synonyms : Mimosa invisa Mart.

Family : Fabaceae / Mimosoides . Họ Đậu / họ phụ Trinh nữ

Group: Dicot

Duration: Perennial

Growth Habit: Vine-Shrub

Kingdom: Plantae – Plants

Subkingdom: Tracheobionta – Vascular plants

Superdivision: Spermatophyta – Seed plants

Division: Magnoliophyta – Flowering plants

Class: Magnoliopsida – Dicotyledons

Subclass: Rosidae

Order: Fabales

Genus: Mimosa L. – sensitive plant

Species: Mimosa diplotricha C. Wright – giant false sensitive plant

**** en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mimosa_diplotricha

**** plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=MIDI8

**** www.hear.org/pier/species/mimosa_diplotricha.htm

**** www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=2…

3. Mimosa diplotricha C. Wright ex Sauvalle, Anales Acad. Ci. Med. Habana. 5: 405. 1868.

巴西含羞草 ba xi han xiu cao

Subshrubs or perennial herbs. Stems scandent or prostrate, to 5 m, 4-angulate, hirsute, with or without prickles along angles. Leaves 10-15 cm; petiole and rachis with 4 rows of recurved prickles; pinnae (3-)7 or 10 pairs, 2-4.5 cm; leaflets (11-)20-30 pairs per pinna, linear-oblong, 3-5 × 1-2 mm, both surfaces white villous. Heads 1 or 2, axillary, ca. 1 cm in diam. (including filaments); peduncles 5-10 mm. Flowers bisexual. Calyx inconspicuous, ca. 0.4 mm. Corolla narrowly funnel-shaped, ca. 2.5 mm, 4-lobed, outside slightly pubescent. Sta­mens 8; filaments pale purple-pink. Ovary ca. 1 mm. Legumes in clusters, slightly curved, oblong, 1.5-3.5 × 0.4-0.5 cm, with or without prickly bristles. Seeds yellow-brown, ca. 3.5 mm. 2n = 26*.

Cultivated or naturalized in Fujian, Guangdong, Hainan, Taiwan, and Yunnan [native to tropical America; introduced throughout the tropics].

This species is planted as a cover crop.

**** www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21875046

J Nat Prod. 2011 Sep 23;74(9):2001-4. doi: 10.1021/np200307r. Epub 2011 Aug 29.

5-deoxyflavones with cytotoxic activity from Mimosa diplotricha.

Lin LC, Chiou CT, Cheng JJ.

Source

National Research Institute of Chinese Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China. lclin@nricm.edu.tw

Abstract

Bioassay-guided isolation of Mimosa diplotricha led to the isolation of four new 5-deoxyflavones, diplotrins A-C (1-3) and diplotasin (4), together with 12 known flavonoids, flavonolignans, and triterpenoids. On the basis of spectroscopic evidence, compounds 1-4 were characterized as 2′,5′-dihydroxy-3,7,8,4′-tetramethoxyflavone (1), 3′-hydroxy-3,7,8,4′-tetramethoxyflavone (2), 2′-hydroxy-7,4′,5′-trimethoxyflavone (3), and 4-hydroxy-3,10,11-trimethoxyisochromeno-[4,3-b]-chromen-7(5H)-one (4). The cytotoxic effects of these isolated compounds were evaluated against the A549, AGS, HT-29, and PC3 human cancer cell lines. Compounds 2 and 5″-methoxyhydnocarpin-D (5) showed the most potent antiproliferative activity.

**** FAO.ORG.
www.fao.org/forestry/13377-1-0.pdf

Scientific name: Mimosa diplotricha C.Wright

Synonym: Mimosa invisa

Common name: Giant sensitive plant, creeping

sensitive plant, nila grass.

Local name: Anathottawadi, padaincha (Kerala,

India), banla saet (Cambodia),

duri semalu (Malaysia), makahiyang lalaki

(Philippines), maiyaraap thao (Thailand),

Cogadrogadro (Fiji).

Taxonomic position:

Division: Magnoliophyta

Class: Magnoliopsida, Order: Fabales

Distribution: South and South-East Asia, the Pacific Islands, northern Australia, South and Central America, the Hawaiian Islands, parts of Africa, Nigeria and France. In

India, it currently occurs throughout Kerala state and in certain parts of the northeast,

especially the state of Assam. Its occurrence in other states is unknown and needs to be ascertained. M. diplotricha has not attained weed status in the Americas, Western Asia, East Africa and Europe.

Habit: M. diplotricha is a fast-growing, erect shrub and a scrambling climber, which can form dense thickets in a short span of time. It is an annual, although behaves as a perennial. Leaves are bright green, feathery, alternate, each leaf with about 20 pairs of small leaflets, bipinnate, sessile, opposite, lanceolate, acute, 6 – 12 mm long and 1.5 mm wide, sensitive to disturbance. The stem is four-angled, woody at the decumbent base, with re-curved thorns (3 – 6 mm long), up to 3 m in height. The inflorescence is a

clustered fluffy ball, about 12 mm across, pale pink, occurs on short stalks (1 cm long) in leaf joints; the corolla is gamopetalous; there are twice as many stamens as petals. The flowering period is from August to February, but can vary from region to region; it flowers throughout the year in some tropical countries. The pods are clustered, 10 – 35 mm long and 6 mm wide, linear, flat, clothed with small prickles, splitting transversely into one-seeded sections at the groves. The seeds are flat, ovate, spiny, 2 – 2.5 mm long and 0.6 – 1.4 mm thick, glossy and light brown. Seed production is in the range of 8,000 – 12,000 per m2. The weight of 1,000 seeds is around 6 gm. Seed setting is from September to February.

Roots are profusely branched and with root nodules.

**** ISG.ORG.
www.issg.org/database/species/ecology.asp?si=997&fr=1…

Taxonomic name: Mimosa diplotricha C. Wright ex Sauvalle

Synonyms: Mimosa invisa

Common names: co gadrogadro (Fiji), giant false sensitive plant, giant sensitive plant (English), grande sensitive (French), la’au fefe palagi (Samoa), la’au fefe tele (Samoa), limemeihr laud (Pohnpei), mechiuaiuu (Palau), nila grass (English), pikika‘a papa‘a (Cook Islands), sensitive gèante (French), singbiguin sasa (Saipan), vao fefe palagi (American Samoa and Samoa), wa ngandrongandro levu (Fiji), wa ngandrongandro ni wa ngalelevu (Fiji)

Organism type: vine, climber, shrub

Mimosa diplotricha (also referred to in the literature as Mimosa invisa) is a serious weed around the Pacific Rim, where it is the subject of several eradication programmes. Early detection and control is recommended to prevent large infestations from establishing.

Description

Mimosa diplotricha is a shrubby or sprawling annual vine which may also behave as a perennial. Its stems are bunching, often scrambling over other plants. Additionally, they are distinguished by four-angles, each of which consisting a line of sharp, hooked prickles. Leaves are bright green, feathery and fern-like and are arranged in an alternating pattern, with each leaf divided into five to seven pairs of segments. Each segment carries about twenty pairs of very small leaflets which close up when disturbed or injured and at night (DPIF, 2007).

Habitat description

Mimosa diplotricha grows best in tropical regions: high moisture and in highly fertile soils. It is known to thrive under full sunlight conditions. M. diplotricha is naturalised in high rainfall areas of coastal north Queensland, Australia (DPIF, 2007).

General impacts

Mimosa diplotricha is a major weed of cultivated areas and has the ability to climb over other plants (Schultz 2000). In the Kaziranga National Park in northeast India, the weed forms a thorny mat over the natural vegetation, preventing animals from accessing and utilising natural vegetation (N. Gureja, pers. comm. 2003). In Australia the weed chokes out cane, other crops and grassland, causing crop and pasture loss (DPIF, 2007).

Notes

Mimosa diplotricha is still often referred to as Mimosa invisa in the literature.

Geographical range

Native Range: Mimosa diplotricha is native to Brazil (DPIF, 2007).

Known introduced range: American Samoa, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Guam, New Caledonia, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Australia, Taiwan, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Christmas Island (Australia), La Réunion (France) and Mauritius.

Physical: Hand control is difficult due to spines. Plants can be slashed before seeding occurs. Slashing in pastures and other non-crop situations on a regular basis to prevent seeding provides effective control (DPIF, 2007).

Chemical: Any herbicide that is applied should be done so before seeding occurs. The weed is not susceptible to soil fumigants and short-term residual herbicides, (although it may be temporarily controlled with atrazine, diuron and hexazinone at standard to high rates). It is susceptible to translocated herbicides including sodium arsenite, 2,4-D plus atrazine, fluroxypyr and probably glyphosate at standard rates. In non-grazed infested areas 4.5 mL Starane 200 per litre of water can be used (DPIF, 2007). More details of herbicide application may be found at DPIF, 2007.

Biological: An introduced sap feeding bug, the psyllid Heteropsylla spinulosa has been released as a biocontrol agent for M. diplotricha in north Queensland, Austalia, in non-crop areas. Releases at Palikir, Pohnpei have also proven effective. (DPIF, 2007, Waterhouse 1994, in PIER 2008). In Australia it is recommended that pastures and non-crop infestations are assessed for insect abundance between November-April. (The effectiveness of insect control can be predicted by abundant insects prior to flowering commencing in early April). If insects are present in sufficient numbers, the growing tips and leaves are curled and stunted, resulting in no or minimal flower production. Slashing or herbicides should be applied if there are not sufficient numbers of insects prior to April for effective control. In pastures grazing animals tend to control this protein rich legume and prevent it dominating. Plants stunted by Heteropsylla attack are less spiny and are readily grazed by stock. An isolated strain of the stem-spot disease (Corynespora cassiicola) (indigenous to Australia) also appears specific to giant sensitive plant. One study noted that the citheroniid moth (Psigida walker) caused a significant extent of defoliation and the subsequent prevention of seeding of M. diplotricha in Brazil (Vitellia et al., 2001). However, it was shown that the citheroniid moth lacked the target specificity required as it attacked several native bipinnate Acacia species, thus was deemed unsuitable for release (Vitellia et al., 2001).

Reproduction

Mimosa diplotricha produces thousands of seeds (N. Gureja pers. comm. 2003). Seeds have been known to lie dormant for up to 50 years (DPIF, 2007).

Leaves and flowers of Mimosa diplotricha …Hoa và lá của cây Trinh nữ móc, trinh nữ thân vuông …


Image by Vietnam Plants & The USA. plants

Vietnamese named : Trinh nữ móc, Trinh nữ thân vuông

English names : Giant sensitive plant, Giant false sensitive plant, Creeping sensitive plant

Scientist name : Mimosa diplotricha C. Wright.

Synonyms : Mimosa invisa Mart.

Family : Fabaceae / Mimosoides . Họ Đậu / họ phụ Trinh nữ

Group: Dicot

Duration: Perennial

Growth Habit: Vine-Shrub

Kingdom: Plantae – Plants

Subkingdom: Tracheobionta – Vascular plants

Superdivision: Spermatophyta – Seed plants

Division: Magnoliophyta – Flowering plants

Class: Magnoliopsida – Dicotyledons

Subclass: Rosidae

Order: Fabales

Genus: Mimosa L. – sensitive plant

Species: Mimosa diplotricha C. Wright – giant false sensitive plant

**** en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mimosa_diplotricha

**** plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=MIDI8

**** www.hear.org/pier/species/mimosa_diplotricha.htm

**** www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=2…

3. Mimosa diplotricha C. Wright ex Sauvalle, Anales Acad. Ci. Med. Habana. 5: 405. 1868.

巴西含羞草 ba xi han xiu cao

Subshrubs or perennial herbs. Stems scandent or prostrate, to 5 m, 4-angulate, hirsute, with or without prickles along angles. Leaves 10-15 cm; petiole and rachis with 4 rows of recurved prickles; pinnae (3-)7 or 10 pairs, 2-4.5 cm; leaflets (11-)20-30 pairs per pinna, linear-oblong, 3-5 × 1-2 mm, both surfaces white villous. Heads 1 or 2, axillary, ca. 1 cm in diam. (including filaments); peduncles 5-10 mm. Flowers bisexual. Calyx inconspicuous, ca. 0.4 mm. Corolla narrowly funnel-shaped, ca. 2.5 mm, 4-lobed, outside slightly pubescent. Sta­mens 8; filaments pale purple-pink. Ovary ca. 1 mm. Legumes in clusters, slightly curved, oblong, 1.5-3.5 × 0.4-0.5 cm, with or without prickly bristles. Seeds yellow-brown, ca. 3.5 mm. 2n = 26*.

Cultivated or naturalized in Fujian, Guangdong, Hainan, Taiwan, and Yunnan [native to tropical America; introduced throughout the tropics].

This species is planted as a cover crop.

**** www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21875046

J Nat Prod. 2011 Sep 23;74(9):2001-4. doi: 10.1021/np200307r. Epub 2011 Aug 29.

5-deoxyflavones with cytotoxic activity from Mimosa diplotricha.

Lin LC, Chiou CT, Cheng JJ.

Source

National Research Institute of Chinese Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China. lclin@nricm.edu.tw

Abstract

Bioassay-guided isolation of Mimosa diplotricha led to the isolation of four new 5-deoxyflavones, diplotrins A-C (1-3) and diplotasin (4), together with 12 known flavonoids, flavonolignans, and triterpenoids. On the basis of spectroscopic evidence, compounds 1-4 were characterized as 2′,5′-dihydroxy-3,7,8,4′-tetramethoxyflavone (1), 3′-hydroxy-3,7,8,4′-tetramethoxyflavone (2), 2′-hydroxy-7,4′,5′-trimethoxyflavone (3), and 4-hydroxy-3,10,11-trimethoxyisochromeno-[4,3-b]-chromen-7(5H)-one (4). The cytotoxic effects of these isolated compounds were evaluated against the A549, AGS, HT-29, and PC3 human cancer cell lines. Compounds 2 and 5″-methoxyhydnocarpin-D (5) showed the most potent antiproliferative activity.

**** FAO.ORG.
www.fao.org/forestry/13377-1-0.pdf

Scientific name: Mimosa diplotricha C.Wright

Synonym: Mimosa invisa

Common name: Giant sensitive plant, creeping

sensitive plant, nila grass.

Local name: Anathottawadi, padaincha (Kerala,

India), banla saet (Cambodia),

duri semalu (Malaysia), makahiyang lalaki

(Philippines), maiyaraap thao (Thailand),

Cogadrogadro (Fiji).

Taxonomic position:

Division: Magnoliophyta

Class: Magnoliopsida, Order: Fabales

Distribution: South and South-East Asia, the Pacific Islands, northern Australia, South and Central America, the Hawaiian Islands, parts of Africa, Nigeria and France. In

India, it currently occurs throughout Kerala state and in certain parts of the northeast,

especially the state of Assam. Its occurrence in other states is unknown and needs to be ascertained. M. diplotricha has not attained weed status in the Americas, Western Asia, East Africa and Europe.

Habit: M. diplotricha is a fast-growing, erect shrub and a scrambling climber, which can form dense thickets in a short span of time. It is an annual, although behaves as a perennial. Leaves are bright green, feathery, alternate, each leaf with about 20 pairs of small leaflets, bipinnate, sessile, opposite, lanceolate, acute, 6 – 12 mm long and 1.5 mm wide, sensitive to disturbance. The stem is four-angled, woody at the decumbent base, with re-curved thorns (3 – 6 mm long), up to 3 m in height. The inflorescence is a

clustered fluffy ball, about 12 mm across, pale pink, occurs on short stalks (1 cm long) in leaf joints; the corolla is gamopetalous; there are twice as many stamens as petals. The flowering period is from August to February, but can vary from region to region; it flowers throughout the year in some tropical countries. The pods are clustered, 10 – 35 mm long and 6 mm wide, linear, flat, clothed with small prickles, splitting transversely into one-seeded sections at the groves. The seeds are flat, ovate, spiny, 2 – 2.5 mm long and 0.6 – 1.4 mm thick, glossy and light brown. Seed production is in the range of 8,000 – 12,000 per m2. The weight of 1,000 seeds is around 6 gm. Seed setting is from September to February.

Roots are profusely branched and with root nodules.

**** ISG.ORG.
www.issg.org/database/species/ecology.asp?si=997&fr=1…

Taxonomic name: Mimosa diplotricha C. Wright ex Sauvalle

Synonyms: Mimosa invisa

Common names: co gadrogadro (Fiji), giant false sensitive plant, giant sensitive plant (English), grande sensitive (French), la’au fefe palagi (Samoa), la’au fefe tele (Samoa), limemeihr laud (Pohnpei), mechiuaiuu (Palau), nila grass (English), pikika‘a papa‘a (Cook Islands), sensitive gèante (French), singbiguin sasa (Saipan), vao fefe palagi (American Samoa and Samoa), wa ngandrongandro levu (Fiji), wa ngandrongandro ni wa ngalelevu (Fiji)

Organism type: vine, climber, shrub

Mimosa diplotricha (also referred to in the literature as Mimosa invisa) is a serious weed around the Pacific Rim, where it is the subject of several eradication programmes. Early detection and control is recommended to prevent large infestations from establishing.

Description

Mimosa diplotricha is a shrubby or sprawling annual vine which may also behave as a perennial. Its stems are bunching, often scrambling over other plants. Additionally, they are distinguished by four-angles, each of which consisting a line of sharp, hooked prickles. Leaves are bright green, feathery and fern-like and are arranged in an alternating pattern, with each leaf divided into five to seven pairs of segments. Each segment carries about twenty pairs of very small leaflets which close up when disturbed or injured and at night (DPIF, 2007).

Habitat description

Mimosa diplotricha grows best in tropical regions: high moisture and in highly fertile soils. It is known to thrive under full sunlight conditions. M. diplotricha is naturalised in high rainfall areas of coastal north Queensland, Australia (DPIF, 2007).

General impacts

Mimosa diplotricha is a major weed of cultivated areas and has the ability to climb over other plants (Schultz 2000). In the Kaziranga National Park in northeast India, the weed forms a thorny mat over the natural vegetation, preventing animals from accessing and utilising natural vegetation (N. Gureja, pers. comm. 2003). In Australia the weed chokes out cane, other crops and grassland, causing crop and pasture loss (DPIF, 2007).

Notes

Mimosa diplotricha is still often referred to as Mimosa invisa in the literature.

Geographical range

Native Range: Mimosa diplotricha is native to Brazil (DPIF, 2007).

Known introduced range: American Samoa, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Guam, New Caledonia, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Australia, Taiwan, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Christmas Island (Australia), La Réunion (France) and Mauritius.

Physical: Hand control is difficult due to spines. Plants can be slashed before seeding occurs. Slashing in pastures and other non-crop situations on a regular basis to prevent seeding provides effective control (DPIF, 2007).

Chemical: Any herbicide that is applied should be done so before seeding occurs. The weed is not susceptible to soil fumigants and short-term residual herbicides, (although it may be temporarily controlled with atrazine, diuron and hexazinone at standard to high rates). It is susceptible to translocated herbicides including sodium arsenite, 2,4-D plus atrazine, fluroxypyr and probably glyphosate at standard rates. In non-grazed infested areas 4.5 mL Starane 200 per litre of water can be used (DPIF, 2007). More details of herbicide application may be found at DPIF, 2007.

Biological: An introduced sap feeding bug, the psyllid Heteropsylla spinulosa has been released as a biocontrol agent for M. diplotricha in north Queensland, Austalia, in non-crop areas. Releases at Palikir, Pohnpei have also proven effective. (DPIF, 2007, Waterhouse 1994, in PIER 2008). In Australia it is recommended that pastures and non-crop infestations are assessed for insect abundance between November-April. (The effectiveness of insect control can be predicted by abundant insects prior to flowering commencing in early April). If insects are present in sufficient numbers, the growing tips and leaves are curled and stunted, resulting in no or minimal flower production. Slashing or herbicides should be applied if there are not sufficient numbers of insects prior to April for effective control. In pastures grazing animals tend to control this protein rich legume and prevent it dominating. Plants stunted by Heteropsylla attack are less spiny and are readily grazed by stock. An isolated strain of the stem-spot disease (Corynespora cassiicola) (indigenous to Australia) also appears specific to giant sensitive plant. One study noted that the citheroniid moth (Psigida walker) caused a significant extent of defoliation and the subsequent prevention of seeding of M. diplotricha in Brazil (Vitellia et al., 2001). However, it was shown that the citheroniid moth lacked the target specificity required as it attacked several native bipinnate Acacia species, thus was deemed unsuitable for release (Vitellia et al., 2001).

Reproduction

Mimosa diplotricha produces thousands of seeds (N. Gureja pers. comm. 2003). Seeds have been known to lie dormant for up to 50 years (DPIF, 2007).

Cool 2,4-d images