Study on the effects of different row spacing of alfalfa on Cenchrus pauciflorus control

A biological treatment trial on effects of different row spacing of alfalfa on controlling seriously invaded Cenchrus pauciflorus was conducted. The results showed that the row spacing treatment could reduce the number of C. pauciflorus and the best was 30 cm which decreased the density to around 1 200 hm2. But the effects on the morphological and reproduction characteristics of C. pauciflorus were difference, these characteristics showed a stressed status in the treatments of 30 cm and 40 cm row spacing. It showed the lower height, fewer branches and seeds. But in treatment of 50 cm row spacing, the average number of branches was over 9, the number of seed setting was over 180 and the reproduction ability was still strong. It could be concluded that 30 cm of row spacing was the best for the control of C. pauciflorus.