Bermuda grass / doob (Cynodon)
A tough perennial creeping grass that spreads by surface runners and underground rhizomes, forming dense mats that are very hard to kill.
- Type
- Grassy weed (perennial, creeping)
- Life cycle
- Perennial; stolons & rhizomes
- Spreads by
- Runners, rhizomes & rhizome fragments; seed
- Main harm
- Dense mats crowd out crops; hard to remove
Overview
Bermuda grass or doob (Cynodon dactylon) is a hardy perennial grass and one of the most persistent weeds in orchards, sugarcane, cotton, maize and along field edges and bunds. It spreads both by wiry above-ground runners (stolons) that root at the nodes and by tough underground rhizomes, forming dense, spreading mats that crowd out crops and are extremely difficult to remove. It also sets seed, but its creeping stems and rhizomes are the main way it spreads and survives.
The reason it is so hard to kill is precisely its rhizomes and stolons: ordinary ploughing or hoeing chops them into fragments, and each fragment with a node can grow into a new plant, so cultivation alone can multiply it rather than control it. It also survives drought and regrows from the rhizomes. Durable control needs a persistent, integrated attack — repeated cultivation to exhaust the rhizomes in the dry season, competitive crops, and a systemic herbicide that moves down into the rhizomes.
How to identify it
- A low, creeping perennial grass forming dense mats, with wiry above-ground runners (stolons) that root at the nodes.
- Tough, wiry underground rhizomes spreading below the surface.
- Fine, greyish-green leaves and a seed head of a few finger-like spikes radiating from one point.
- Common on field edges, bunds, orchards and in sugarcane, cotton and maize.
Why it is a problem
- Forms dense mats that crowd out crops and compete for water, nutrients and space.
- Spreads by stolons and rhizomes, so it is extremely hard to remove once established.
- Ordinary ploughing chops the rhizomes into fragments that each regrow — cultivation can multiply it.
- Survives drought and regrows from the rhizomes, persisting year after year.
Cultural & preventive control
- Repeatedly cultivate and expose the rhizomes to the sun in the hot, dry season to desiccate and exhaust them.
- Collect and remove the rhizome fragments after cultivation, rather than leaving them to regrow.
- Grow dense, competitive, well-fertilised crops and keep field edges and bunds clean to stop it spreading in.
- Prevent spread by not moving rhizome-infested soil, and clean tools/machinery between fields.
Herbicide control
- A systemic herbicide that moves down into the rhizomes (e.g. glyphosate on actively growing plants, in a non-crop situation or as a directed/spot treatment) is far more effective than contact sprays.
- Treat when the grass is actively growing (not stressed) so the herbicide translocates to the rhizomes; a repeat may be needed.
- Use recommended pre- and post-emergence herbicides within a crop where registered, at the correct stage.
- Confirm the current herbicide and safe use for your situation with your local KVK.
Integrated management
- Combine repeated dry-season cultivation and rhizome removal with a systemic herbicide on actively-growing regrowth.
- Keep crops competitive and field edges clean, and be persistent over more than one season.
- Never rely on a single ploughing — that fragments and spreads the rhizomes rather than killing them.
Crops most at risk
Where this problem is called out in our crop guides — open a crop for the full package of practices.
Frequently asked questions
Why is doob (Bermuda grass) so hard to get rid of?
Because it spreads by tough underground rhizomes and surface runners, not just seed, and each rhizome fragment with a node can grow into a new plant. So ordinary ploughing chops the rhizomes and actually multiplies and spreads it, rather than killing it, and it regrows from the rhizomes after drought. Getting rid of it needs a persistent, integrated attack — repeated dry-season cultivation to exhaust and remove the rhizomes, competitive crops, and a systemic herbicide that moves down into the rhizomes.
Will ploughing control Bermuda grass?
A single ploughing usually makes it worse, because it chops the rhizomes into fragments that each regrow into a new plant. Cultivation only helps as part of a repeated, dry-season programme: ploughing again and again to bring the rhizomes to the surface, letting the sun desiccate them, and collecting and removing the fragments, so the rhizome network is gradually exhausted. Combine that with a systemic herbicide on actively-growing regrowth and competitive crops for durable control.
Which herbicide works on Bermuda grass?
Contact herbicides only burn the top and it regrows from the rhizomes, so a systemic herbicide that translocates down into the rhizomes (such as glyphosate on actively growing plants in a non-crop situation or as a directed/spot treatment) is far more effective, usually with a repeat. Timing matters: treat when the grass is growing actively and not stressed, so the herbicide moves to the rhizomes. Within a crop, use only registered products at the correct stage — confirm safe use with your KVK.
Symptoms and control measures follow ICAR, KVK and state agricultural-university package-of-practices; any named chemical is a registered use. Always read the product label and confirm the dose for your crop and zone. editorial policy.