Invasion and Dispersal of Cuscuta reflexa Weed in Kilosa District in Morogoro Region, Tanzania

A field survey was conducted at Lumuma, pwaga and Seminari villages in Kilosa district, Tanzania in 2018 to assess the invasion of Cuscuta reflexa weed. With the use of Quadrates number of Cuscuta weeds in each location was counted. Were total number of 855, 640 and 340 weeds from cropping land, grazing and roadside respectively were counted in Pwaga, Lumuma and seminari village. The results show there was significantly difference in number between Crop, roadside and grazing area within surveyed villages. Irrigation water channel seem to good mode for seed weed spreading in the area, followed by Animal movement and exchange of the seeds within the area. Cuscuta weed was found to be spreading very rapidly along the crop areas than Natural forest and Roadsides. However high frequency number of Cuscuta was observed in Lumuma (94 %) followed by Pwaga and Misionari (73 %), (40 %) respectively. The result in Crop land was similar to the weed densities were Lumuma was with highly (14 Plants/m2) weed densities compared to Pwaga (9.77 Plants/m2) and Misionari (4.35 Plants/m2). In this area irrigation canals and vehicles seems to be more active agents of Cuscuta spp dispersal, author wishes to recommend the integrated weed management packages for the control of the weed other precaution measure must be taken to ensure there is no further spread of the Cuscuta spp.