Biological Characteristics and Control Methods of Benghal Dayflower [Commelina benghalensis L.]

Abstract

Benghal dayflower (Commelina Benghalensis L.) widely distribute in the world and have strong and special reproductive methods. Benghal dayflower also possesses the ability to root at the nodes and can be propagated from cut stems. Under suitable environmental conditions, Benghal dayflower can reproduce very quickly and form invasive populations in crop planting areas that could cause outbreaks of crop pests and diseases as host of plant pathogens. Benghal dayflower is not sensitive to a variety of herbicides including glyphosate. Especially in recent years, with extensive promotion of glyphosate-resistant genetically modified crops and use of glyphosate, that has changed the species and composition of weeds in farmland systems. The control methods of Benghal dayflower mainly included chemical control, mechanical control and comprehensive management of crop production. But no comprehensive and effective control strategy has been developed. Benghal dayflower had become a malignant weed in agricultural production and caused serious agricultural economic lossesas. At present, the research on Benghal dayflower mainly focuses on biological characteristics, reproductive strategies, hazards and control methods. There are few studies on the physiological and ecological mechanism, the comparison of invasive community types, the process of invasion and diffusion in different species communities, and the dynamics of population response to the environment. and the ecological factors and efficient control methods are still unclear. In this review, our primary objective is designed to lay a theoretical foundation for the development of more economical and effective control technologies and preventative strategies via description of biological and ecological features, harms and formative mechanism of Benghal dayflower; that will help to devise new guidelines and technical approaches for effective prevention and control of Benghal dayflower.