21. Goda maruk / Shama millet

• Common Name : Goda maruk / Shama millet

• Scientific Name : Echinochloa colonum

• Family : Poaceae

• Life cycle : Annual

• Morphological characters : Seedling – Shoot rolled, leaf sheath flattened, Leaf blade 2-5 times longer than broad, leaf glabrous, Ligule absent, auricles absent. Root – system – Fibrous. Culm – geniculate, ascending or erect, branched near the base. 30-80cm in height, Plant tufted. Leaves – glabrous, broad, often red-tinged. Inflorescence – lax panicle, green or purplish, of erect or spreading spikes, angular rachis, pubescent spikelets (2 mm), seeds are without awns.

• Propagation : By Seeds

• Agricultural importance : Compete for sunlight, moisture, space and nutrients with dryland crops.

• Uses : As fodder for livestock.

• Control measures : Hand weeding or chemical control – 3,4 DPA or Paraquat.