Iresine diffusa Humb. & Bonpl. ex Willd.

ACOSTA, JUAN MANUEL; PERRETA, MARIEL G.

Malezas e Invasoras de la Argentina

Editorial de la Universidad Nacional del Sur

Lugar: Bahía Blanca; Año: 2018; p. 479 - 485

Iresine diffusais a perennial herb belonging to the Amaranthaceae family and is native fromthe American continent. It is a subshrub, decumbent or erect, dioecious,up to 2 m high. It has several basal ramifications, with plagiotropic growth ofrhizomatous or stoloniferous stems with adventitious roots in their knots. Thisspecies is spring-summer cycle; begins to vegetate in spring, and blooms fromlate spring to mid-autumn. This species can produce a high quantity of seeds,which are easily dispersed by wind and can also have vegetative propagationthrough rhizomes. Iresinediffusa has becomemore abundant in fields cultivated under no-tillage systems in the Pampas regionof Argentina. This species was classified as tolerantto the herbicide glyphosate. Also, this weed has not been adequately controlledwith herbicides that have different modes of action to glyphosate. The thermalgermination conditions (Intermediate temperatures 15-20 °C), shallow soildepths and high moisture conditions that favor seed germination and emergencefor I. diffusa are congruent with theconditions in Argentina no-tillage crops, whichmay explain at least in part their success as weeds. However, I. diffusa can reproduce by rhizomes and itsability to generate a persistent buds bank could have a great influence on itsstatus as weeds in our region.