Digitaria (genus)

Digitaria also known as crabgrass produce large amount of seeds and a single plant can produce upto 1,88,000 seeds. Digitaria is the most competitive C4 weeds of horticulture, agriculture and turfgrass landscape in temperate and tropical regions. Having C4 photosynthetic pathway Digitaria have the ability to tolerate dry conditions, hot and very competitive during the summer when C3 plant come under stress.

Phytochemicals occurs naturally and biologically active compounds which are found in Digitaria. Phytochemicals acts as natural defense system and also provide colour, aroma and flavor to the plant and also have disease preventive properties. Some of the major phytochemicals which are found in genus Digitaria are terpenoid, volatile oils, alkaloids, flavanoids, phenolics, tannins.

Digitaria spp. were originally some of the first domesticated plants for human consumption; however, they were abandoned in favor of other species for human consumption. Digitaria spp. inhabit disturbed areas such as crop fields, lawns, roadways, and waste sites across the world. There are approximately 300 species belonging to the Digitaria genus; but the most common weedy species include Digitaria ciliaris, Digitaria ischaemum, and Digitaria sanguinalis.