CHROMOLAENA ODORATA IN DIFFERENT ECOSYSTEMS: WEED OR FALLOW PLANT?

To understand the use of Chromolaena odorata in different agricultural systems and ecosystems, findings of several scientific studies conducted in different areas have been assessed in this review paper. Some authors considered C. odorata as a serious weed because of its ability: to regenerate and colonize uninvaded areas; to be a threat to some ecosystems and environment; to reduce the biodiversity of grasslands, savannahs and forests; and to be a considerable problem in commercial tree plantations as it suppresses the growth of young pine and eucalypt trees. Others argued that the species may be considered as a beneficial fallow plant rather than a weed, because it may be considered as a welcome plant rather than a weed in some agricultural systems, when considering the expected properties of species for fallow improvement. The following are the main reasons why C. odorata is considered as a fallow because of it ability: to be a nutrient sink and its potential benefit to the crop as regular source of organic matter and nutrients after slashing; to have a beneficial effect on exchangeable K concentration; to be used as green manure; to be better adapted as a fallow plant on acidic soils than some leguminous.