This study aimed to identify weed composition, distribution, and dominance under water-scarce conditions in 45 fields across three locations in the KADA granary area of Malaysia during the main- and off-season of 2014/2015. The survey employed a quantitative method using 0.5 m & times; 0.5 m quadrats, with 20 samples per rice field laid out systematically in an inverted W pattern. Resultantly, the survey revealed variations in weed composition and prevalence between rice planting seasons, driven by varying moisture stress levels that favored specific weed survival traits under fluctuating water availability. A total of 30 weed species were identified from 14 different families, comprising 6 grasses, 6 sedges, and 18 broadleaved weeds. Based on the relative abundance and ranking of the weeds in the surveyed rice fields, Fimbristylis miliacea (84.2%), followed by Leptochloa chinensis (41.6%), Scirpus grossus (30.1%), and Ischaemum rugosum (23.6%) were the most prevalent and abundant species in the off-season 2014. Conversely, the 2014/2015 main-season was highly dominated by Echinochloa crus-galli (62.8%), followed by L. chinensis (37.3%), Limnocharis flava (25.1%), and F. miliacea (22.3%). Sorenson's index values (92.9%-100.0%) during the 2014 off-season indicate high weed species similarity across districts, while lower values (59.6%-76.6%) in the 2014/2015 main-season suggest slight variations in weed composition between districts. These findings provide critical baseline data for developing targeted weed control strategies to enhance rice yield and promote sustainable agricultural practices.
ABSTRACT Weed management is a critical challenge in Malaysian rice cultivation, with the emergence of herbicide‐resistant weeds posing a significant threat to productivity and sustainability. This review explores the potential of florpyrauxifen‐benzyl, a novel aryloxyphenoxypropionate herbicide, as a promising tool for addressing these issues. The background of rice plantation in Malaysia, mode of action, efficacy against key weed species, and environmental safety profile of florpyrauxifen‐benzyl are discussed. Prominently featured, florpyrauxifen‐benzyl exhibits efficacy against a diverse range of weed species in rice cultivation, encompassing graminaceous weeds, cyperaceous weeds, and dicotyledonous weeds without a negative impact on rice growth and productivity. Furthermore, florpyrauxifen‐benzyl has the ability to control herbicide‐resistant weeds, and the environmental impact is considered to be low. While florpyrauxifen‐benzyl exhibits promising potential for weed management in rice fields, further research is crucial. Long‐term efficacy and potential impacts on non‐target organisms need to be thoroughly evaluated to ensure its sustainable application in agriculture.
Early detection of invasive alien species is critical for preventing ecological disturbance and economic loss. Alternanthera philoxeroides, an invasive aquatic plant native to South America, has become widespread in Japan, posing major threats to paddy-field agriculture. Conventional monitoring depends largely on visual surveys, which are inefficient for identifying low-density populations or fragmented plant debris. This study aimed to develop simple, field-deployable methods for A. philoxeroides detection using (1) environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis based on the suspended glass fiber (SGF) method combined with loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), and (2) LAMP-based detection using pressed sap from weed debris collected at drainage pumping stations. The SGF + LAMP approach reliably detected A. philoxeroides eDNA at most sites within its known distribution range, whereas pressed sap-based analysis detected A. philoxeroides even in severely decomposed debris and at weight ratios as low as 0.1%. Both methods were validated in a catchment with no prior A. philoxeroides records, confirming its establishment along riverbanks and subsequent invasion in paddy fields. Collectively, these approaches enable rapid, sensitive, on-site detection without requiring specialized equipment or taxonomic expertise, providing practical tools for the early monitoring and management of A. philoxeroides and other invasive plants in agricultural water networks.
ABSTRACT Cyanobacteria are prolific producers of secondary metabolites with a range of biological activities, including allelopathic effects. This review explores the chemical classes, ecological roles, and herbicidal potential of allelochemicals derived from cyanobacteria. The main types of these compounds include fatty acids, peptides, phenolic compounds, and toxins, which inhibit the growth of competing plants and microorganisms. They achieve this by inducing oxidative stress, disrupting hormone levels, and interfering with the processes of photosynthesis and cell division. Recent advancements in molecular biology and metabolomics have shed light on the specific mechanisms of action of these allelochemicals, facilitating the discovery of new compounds through omics‐based approaches. Additionally, the complex interactions among these allelochemicals can lead to synergistic or antagonistic effects, impacting their bioactivity and formulation as bioherbicides. While these natural compounds hold promise for sustainable agriculture and reducing reliance on synthetic herbicides, several challenges persist. These include regulatory barriers, environmental persistence, potential toxicity, and public acceptance. Regulatory frameworks in the United States and the European Union increasingly require thorough environmental risk assessments and standardized safety evaluations. Despite these obstacles, cyanobacterial allelochemicals represent a promising avenue for natural weed control. Further interdisciplinary research is essential to optimize the extraction, formulation, and integration of these products into effective weed management programs.
In recent years, resistance to the ACCase inhibitor cyhalofop-butyl and the ALS inhibitor penoxsulam has evolved in Echinochloa spp., causing serious problems in dry-seeded rice in Japan. To clarify the current state of herbicide resistance in Japan, we developed a simple method for diagnosing herbicide resistance by germinating seeds in herbicide solutions and evaluating seedling growth. When the herbicide solution contained a standard rate of Murashige-Skoog salt mixture and a 2000-fold dilution of a mixed liquid fungicide (30.0% hymexazol and 2.0% metalaxyl-M), clear differences were observed in seedling growth between resistant and susceptible lines in the response to both cyhalofop-butyl and penoxsulam. This difference became apparent 10 days after treatment and was more prominent 14 days after treatment. Under these optimal conditions, cyhalofop-butyl at concentrations of 1.2 ppm or higher clearly distinguished between the resistant and susceptible lines of the three Echinochloa weeds: E. crus-galli var. crus-galli, E. crus-galli var. formosensis, and E. oryzicola. Penoxsulam concentrations of 0.09 ppm or higher also clearly distinguished between the two lines in the three weeds. The method using 1.2 ppm cyhalofop-butyl and 0.09 ppm penoxsulam was able to successfully diagnose two susceptible lines, three cyhalofop-butyl-resistant lines, and two lines with multiple herbicide-resistance to cyhalofop-butyl and penoxsulam. Thus, this study developed a simple diagnostic method for detecting cyhalofop-butyl and/or penoxsulam resistance in Echinochloa spp. This method can serve as an effective and practical tool for diagnosing herbicide resistance and clarifying the resistance status of Echinochloa spp. in areas where they infest paddy fields.
Pill bugs feed on weed seeds and seedlings; however, this interaction is rarely explored, and its effects on the weed growth and development of seedlings remain unclear. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the impacts of seed and seedling predation by the pill bug Armadillidium vulgare on Eleusine indica and Lolium multiflorum, two common weeds growing in tea (Camellia sinensis) fields in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. We compared the two treatment groups (without and with pill bugs [104 individuals/m2]) in planters placed in an experimental field during summer and autumn, using a completely randomized design; each treatment had three replicates. The results revealed that A. vulgare decreased the emergence of E. indica and L. multiflorum seedlings through seed and seedling predation and affected seedling growth and development. Although the experimental design did not allow us to distinguish the effects of seed versus seedling predation, our results indicate that the pre-germination and early germination stages represent a critical period during which predation strongly suppresses weed emergence. These findings provide initial evidence of the potential role of A. vulgare as a biological weed control agent.
The establishment and spread of invasive alien weeds in agricultural fields have become a serious problem in Japan. Since the amendment of the Plant Protection Act in Japan, weeds have been included among the target quarantine pests. Therefore, reliable methods are required for the accurate identification and detection of harmful invasive alien weed seeds in international crop trade. In this study, we focused on Oryza punctata, a wild rice species native to Africa, which occurs as a weed in paddy fields in its native range and may pose a serious weed risk if introduced into Japan. We developed detection and identification methods for this species based on the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). This species consists of diploid and tetraploid lineages, with the latter being an allopolyploid. One primer pair specific to the diploid lineage and three primer pairs specific to the tetraploid lineage were designed based on multiple sequence alignments of chloroplast genome sequence data obtained from public databases. In addition, PCR conditions were optimized for each primer pair. Electrophoresis confirmed that the expected DNA bands were obtained for O. punctata accessions. The primers developed in this study are useful for the quarantine detection of O. punctata seeds contaminating imported and exported crops.
The timing and direction of farming operations appear to influence the spatial structure and growth of weeds. In this study, we attempted to model the spatial distribution of weed growth based on unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) imagery. We obtained UAV images of an organic paddy field dominated by Monochoria vaginalis at intervals of 2 weeks from June to July and calculated the coverage in each grid (1 m & times; 1 m). The weeds distributed along the farming operations, suggesting that the spatial autocorrelation in each direction should be considered separately. However, the semivariograms of the two directions (the direction of the farming operation and the direction perpendicular to the farming operation) did not show a statistically significant difference, implying that it is inappropriate to apply global anisotropy to weed distribution at this scale. We then fitted the time-series spatial distribution data into a hierarchical Bayesian model, incorporating a CAR model to express the underlying spatial structure in weed growth, to analyze the temporal and spatial variation of weed growth. The weed growth rate from late June to early July seemed to be affected by the timing of intertillage weeding and temperature. The spatial autocorrelation in the direction of farming operations was greater than in the other direction. The formation of hotspots seemed to be caused by the heterogeneous distribution of the seedbank and the uneven ground surface level. These results suggested that a hierarchical model incorporating appropriate spatial autocorrelations enables quantitative evaluation of weed growth and effects of weed control during each period.
Cynanchum acutum is an invasive perennial in Iranian citrus orchards that resprouts from deep fibrous roots and climbs trunks, rendering manual removal and common herbicides (e.g., glyphosate, glufosinate) ineffective. We evaluated transparent polyethylene solarization mulch as a low-cost physical control in a two-season field study (Solar Hijri 1403-1404; mid-March-late-September 2024-2025) in Juyim, Fars Province, and report complete above-ground suppression of C. acutum under mulched trees. Three sour lemon orchards were used; each contained 25-year-old trees heavily infested with C. acutum. In treated plots vines were cut at the stem base, soil was tilled and amended with composted manure and balanced fertilizer, and drip lines were laid beneath a transparent polyethylene film (150-200 mu m). The film covered the row beyond the canopy from mid-March to late-May for solarization; similar to 5 cm of local soil was then applied over the film to block light for longer-term suppression. Irrigation ran every other day to maintain near-field-capacity moisture. Control plots received conventional weeding only (monthly manual removal of above-ground C. acutum shoots using hand tools; no herbicide application was performed). After two seasons, mulched plots showed complete suppression of above-ground C. acutum emergence; control plots remained heavily infested. Mulched trees exhibited greater vigor and higher fruit yield, consistent with soil heating, reduced soil-borne pests, and improved nutrient availability under the clear film. Clear polyethylene proved practical with existing drip systems, but multi-site and longer-term trials are needed before wide-scale recommendations.
Postdispersal weed seed predation by invertebrates, an important ecosystem service in farmlands, has not yet been quantified in tea (Camellia sinensis) fields. Recently, organic farming has been promoted in Japanese tea production, and changes in farm management can affect seed predation. To sustainably utilize this service in tea cultivation, it is essential to quantify seed predation and evaluate the effects of farm management. Hence, in this study, we investigated the temporal variability in invertebrate seed predation and activity densities of seed predators (crickets, ground beetles, and pill bugs) in organic and conventional tea fields in Japan from June to October 2020 and 2021. Seed predation rates were investigated for Lolium multiflorum in 2020 and for L. multiflorum, Digitaria ciliaris, Eleusine indica, Bidens pilosa var. pilosa, and Erechtites hieraciifolius in 2021. Organic farming increased invertebrate seed predation and the activity densities of crickets and pill bugs. The average rates of weed seed predation biweekly were 42.8%-80.5% in the organic fields and 21.7%-59.6% in the conventional fields. This study shows that invertebrate seed predation can significantly influence weed seedbanks in tea fields and that organic farming can foster the potential of biological weed control due to seed predation.
Paspalum distichum var. indutum is an invasive species problematic in South Korea, particularly in river basins. The study aimed to determine how soil moisture and nutrient conditions affect its growth. Experiments involved moderate moisture (T1), flooding (T2), flooding with nitrogen (T3), and flooding with nitrogen and phosphorus (T4). The research found that P. distichum var. indutum grew better under flooded conditions (T2–T4) compared to nonflooded conditions (T1), with the best growth observed in T4 due to increased plant height, root number, and stem thickness. Photosynthetic rate and aboveground biomass were highest when both nitrogen and phosphorus were present under flooded conditions. The presence of other plant species was greater in T1 and T2, indicating that as P. distichum var. indutum became more dominant, the diversity of other species declined. Vegetation indices calculated with hyperspectral reflectance were highest in T1 during the initial growth after transplanting. Among the vegetation indices, EVI, PSSRa, PSSRb, and PSSRc functionally assessed the growth status of P. distichum var. indutum under various growing conditions. P. distichum var. indutum requires flooding conditions for vigorous growth, and when nitrogen and phosphorus are sufficient, it grows more robustly than other plant species. Therefore, controlling the influx of nutrients is required to prevent the proliferation of this invasive species along this riverside.
Alopecurus myosuroides is among the most problematic weed species affecting crop production globally. In Chinese wheat fields, its management has predominantly relied on acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACCase)-inhibiting herbicides, such as fenoxaprop-P-ethyl, over the past two decades. However, the prolonged use of this herbicide class has led to the rapid evolution of resistance in A. myosuroides. In this study, a suspected fenoxaprop-P-ethyl-resistant population, AHHY-1 (R), was collected from a wheat field in Anhui Province, China. Whole-plant dose-response experiments revealed that, compared with the susceptible population AHFX-1 (S), the R population exhibited high-level resistance to fenoxaprop-P-ethyl, with a resistance index of 33.25. Sequencing of the target gene indicated that the isoleucine residue at position 1781 (ATA codon) in the ACCase carboxyltransferase domain of R plants was substituted with threonine (ACA codon), with a mutation frequency of 100%. To enable rapid and efficient detection of the common Ile-1781-Thr mutation in A. myosuroides, a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay was developed. Following systematic optimization of primer sequences, reaction components, and amplification conditions, the LAMP assay reliably distinguished between wild-type and mutant genotypes. The incorporation of SYBR Green I dye facilitated visual detection of amplification via a distinct color change, observable without instrumentation. Notably, the LAMP assay demonstrated approximately 105-fold greater sensitivity than conventional PCR. Collectively, the developed LAMP method provides an efficient tool for detecting the Ile-1781-Thr mutation in the ACCase gene of A. myosuroides, offering a valuable tool for resistance monitoring and management strategies.
Guava wilt, often associated with infestations of the aggressive root-knot nematode Meloidogyne enterolobii , has emerged as a major constraint in guava production. Weeds can act as hidden reservoirs of nematodes, sustaining populations between crop cycles and undermining control efforts. In this study, we identified M. enterolobii using morphological and molecular markers and investigated its biology, host suitability, and interactions with two dominant weeds, Bidens pilosa and Euphorbia heterophylla . Both weeds supported nematode multiplication, as confirmed by galling indices and egg mass production, thereby functioning as alternative hosts. Greenhouse assays revealed high reproductive fitness of M. enterolobii on both weed species compared to guava. M. enterolobii showed a clear preference for weeds, and the presence of weeds exacerbated nematode-induced reductions in guava growth. A temporal study revealed that weeds initially attracted nematode infection, but upon senescence, they released inoculum that increased nematode loads on guava roots. Field experiments further demonstrated that retention of these weeds in guava orchards significantly increased nematode inoculum, exacerbating wilt incidence and reducing plant vigor, whereas their removal reduced nematode pressure and wilt severity. Our findings highlight the dual role of B. pilosa and E. heterophylla as competitive weeds and as reservoirs of M. enterolobii , and underscore the importance of targeted weed management in integrated strategies to mitigate guava wilt.
Phalaris minor is a major winter season grass weed particularly in wheat crop. It is a highly competitive weed and causes significant yield losses, even up to the extent of complete crop failure. In India, it has evolved multiple herbicide resistance (against PS-II [photosystem-II site-A], acetyl-CoA carboxylase [ACCase], and acetolactate synthase [ALS/AHAS] inhibitors). The various factors attributing to increased selection pressure for herbicide resistance evolution are mono-cropping (rice-wheat system), use of herbicides with similar mode of action, faulty spray techniques (over and under dosing, delayed spray), rice residue burning, intensive tillage and delayed sowing of wheat. Further, inbuilt attributes of P. minor such as higher tendency to tolerate anaerobic conditions in rice, morphological similarity to wheat until flowering stage, seed shedding before wheat harvest, frequent emergence in flushes favor its proliferation in rice-wheat system. Use of alternative herbicides of different modes of action in rotation or in mixture is of prime importance in resistance management. Alternate herbicides such as pyroxasulfone, aclonifen, pendimethalin, trifluralin, flufenacet, flumioxazine, bixlozone, and cinmethylin can be utilized for control of multiple herbicide-resistant populations of P. minor . Additionally, developing herbicide-tolerant wheat cultivars against glyphosate and glufosinate will further increase the available alternative herbicide options. However, for sustainable management, alternate herbicides should be used in rotation, sequence or mixture along with integration of various non-chemical tactics such as crop rotation, competitive cultivars, higher seed rate, narrow row spacing (15–17.5 cm), stale seed bed, advance sowing, conservation tillage, and weed seed free crop seed.
Rumex species, including R. crispus , R. obtusifolius , and R. japonicus , are problematic weeds that reduce forage production and hinder effective land use in Japanese pasture systems. This study aimed to identify a bioherbicide candidate that selectively targets Rumex weeds while remaining safe for forage crops. To this end, we isolated a fungal pathogen from a naturally infected R. crispus leaf collected in Japan and conducted morphological and molecular identification and host range evaluations. The isolate, designated as TR4, was identified as Teratoramularia rumicicola based on its morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analysis of concatenated internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and large subunit (LSU) rDNA sequences. Host range studies revealed that TR4 caused visible symptoms and significantly reduced shoot biomass in all three Rumex species, while no disease symptoms were observed in any of the five forage crops tested. This study reports T. rumicicola for the first time in Japan, extending its known distribution beyond South Korea. The host specificity and liquid culture compatibility of TR4 suggest its potential as a locally adapted microbial herbicide for selective Rumex control in pasture systems.
Designing environmental-friendly approaches to mitigate weed pressure in agroecosystems is an urgent priority. A field experiment was conducted in 2014/2015 and 2015/2016 to evaluate fertilizer source and soil tillage on weed community composition in durum wheat-potato rotation. Experimental treatments included: (i) two fertilizer sources (mineral and organic fertilizers [MF and OF]) and (ii) three tillage regimes (plowing [CT], spading [RT1] and subsoiling [RT2]). A randomized complete block design with three replications was adopted. Weed characteristics were measured at the wheat tillering and potato flowering stage. In durum wheat, weed biomass ranged from 73.6 g m(-2) (MF-CT) to 131.4 g m(-2) (OF-RT2). In potato, weed biomass was the highest in OF-RT2 (156.3 g m(-2) of DM), while weed density ranged from 29.0 n m(-2) (MF-CT) to 46.5 n m(-2) (OF-RT2). Overall, annual weeds were more abundant under OF compared to MF (75.3 vs. 64.5 n m(-2)), regardless of tillage treatments. Within MF treatments, annual weed density was higher under RT2 than RT1 and CT (71.3 vs. 61.1 n m(-2)). Relative frequency of perennial broadleaf species was highest in OF-RT2, with perennial weeds generally increasing under RT2 and RT1, regardless of the fertilization source. Across both crops, biomass production was higher under MF than OF. A negative relationship was observed between crop biomass and the density of broadleaf weeds (R-2 = 0.3894, p < 0.001) and perennial weeds (R-2 = 0.2156, p < 0.01). Further studies are required to investigate the long-term implications of these practices and refine weed management approaches across different cropping systems.
Dichloroquinolinic acid, the most commonly used herbicide in rice fields, was originally used specifically against Echinochloa crus-galli. Owing to the continuous use of it, E. crus-galli is becoming increasingly more resistant to it. The results show that, under dichloroquinolinic acid stress, there were significant differences in the contents of several hormones between the highly resistant and sensitive E. crus-galli populations. The relative changes in the levels of several hormones in highly resistant E. crus-galli were significantly smaller than in sensitive E. crus-galli, which indicates that dichloroquinolinic acid can kill E. crus-galli by disturbing the changes in hormone levels. Higher activity of catalase (CAT) was associated with stronger dichloroquinolinic acid resistance. After dichloroquinolinic acid stress, glutathione transferase (GST) activity decreased, but the GST activity was lower in highly resistant plants than in susceptible plants. Moreover, CAT gene expression initially increased and then decreased, and the increase in CAT expression in highly resistant grass was significantly greater than that in sensitive grass, indicating that the higher the CAT gene expression levels, the stronger the resistance. GST expression initially decreased and then increased, and the change in GST expression of highly resistant plants was significantly smaller than that in sensitive E. crus-galli, indicating that the higher the GST expression, the stronger the resistance. Treatment of E. crus-galli with the compound herbicide isopropyl dichloroquinolinic acid and cyhalofop-butyl achieved a good control effect. These findings provide a theoretical and practical basis for the comprehensive control of E. crus-galli and ensure national food production security.
Invasive alien plants (IAPs) perturb biodiversity, ecosystem services, rural livelihood, and human health/well-being. To this end, the harmful effects of Mikania micrantha established it as worst global IAP. Nevertheless, finitude of past studies on invasion ecology, weed biology, and management aspects of M. micrantha paves the way to systematically review this IAP for holistic knowledge, inextricably linked with policy formulations. Henceforth, present systematic review aims to provide a critical assessment of previous studies, underscore the knowledge gaps, and synthesize the current pragmatic research advances on M. micrantha for elucidating management options. Standard methods were used to collect the literary evidences on multiple thematic aspects linked with its biology and management. Results revealed the substantial harmful impacts of M. micrantha on ecosystems, ascribed to multiple physiological, biochemical, molecular, and genetic mechanisms. Further, multitude of plant traits such as rapid stem elongation and efficient reproductive strategies imposed serious challenges in control of M. micrantha . Deployment of traditional control methods in conjunction with exploring the beneficial biorefinery and human health prospects of M. micrantha may help in its confinement. Nevertheless, the research on beneficial prospects associated with its biomass utilization are still narrow to endure field-scale and long-term management. In conclusion, policy measures like strict biosecurity/legal regulations, explicit elucidation of weed biology, early detection and response, ecological modeling, and “integrated weed management” with community participation can expand the horizon of M. micrantha control and help achieve its sustainable management, concomitantly buttressing the United Nation's “Sustainable Development Goals” and “Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.”
China is one of the countries suffering the biggest challenge of herbicide-resistant weeds. Hormetic effects of herbicides on weeds may further facilitate the evolution and spread of herbicide-resistant weeds. We investigated hormetic responses of fenoxaprop-p-ethyl and pinoxaden on a putative acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase (ACCase)-inhibitor-resistant Beckmannia syzigachne (JDR, collected from Jiangdu county) population by comparing it with a sensitive population (LHS, collected from Luhe county) in responses of whole-plant bioassays, ACCase sequences, and biomass and seed productivity of plant individuals surviving fenoxaprop-p-ethyl treatments. We found that the GR50 doses (doses of herbicides causing a 50% reduction in fresh weight of above-ground parts) of fenoxaprop-p-ethyl and pinoxaden on LHS were 9.5 and 6.1 g ai ha-1, respectively. In JDR, fresh weights of above-ground parts of seedlings increased in fenoxaprop-p-ethyl treatments with doses from 7.8 to 124.2 g ai ha-1 and pinoxaden treatments with doses from 7.5 to 15 g ai ha-1, compared with the control treatment which was not treated with herbicides. All 95 seedlings of JDR tested showed an I1781L mutation in the ACCase. Moreover, seedlings surviving fenoxaprop-p-ethyl treatments also showed hormetic effects on the dry weight of above-ground parts, seed production per plant individual, and 100-seed weights in the JDR population. This study implied the potentially important role of hormesis in the infestation of ACCase-inhibitor-resistant B. syzigachne in China, which has been overlooked.
In many countries around the world, weed infestations poses a significant obstacle to agricultural production and economic activity. However, these weeds are only considered for extermination, and their vast biomass is not utilized effectively. In this study, we attempted to convert weeds into regenerated cellulose fibers for high-added value and effective use. Cellulose pulp obtained from herbaceous plants (Poaceae) of Andropogon virginicus and Miscanthus sinensis was dissolved in an ionic liquid (1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride) to regenerate cellulose fibers. The properties and morphology of the regenerated cellulose fibers were evaluated, and the structure of the cellulose pulp obtained as an intermediate product was analyzed. The different extraction rates of these weeds resulted in differences in the degree of polymerization of the cellulose pulp. However, the regenerated cellulose fibers were successfully spun in both species. As the speed increased, the regenerated cellulose fibers became smoother, the fiber diameter decreased, and their mechanical properties improved. The regenerated celluloses fiber obtained from M. sinensis were comparable to rayon, an existing cellulose fiber, and exhibited similar values of fiber strength and modulus. These results indicated that the production of regenerated cellulose fibers from unused weeds was effective. This study demonstrates the potential of this materials as a new raw material.
