Weed
Digitaria abyssinica is considered a noxious weed. It occurs in a wide range of annual or perennial crops (Murdoch et al., 2003; Skerman et al., 1990). In Ethiopia, it was judged as the main weed by 86% of farmers in the highlands (altitude higher than 1900 m). Due to their great depth, the rhizomes are extremely difficult to remove without chemicals (Baguma et al., 1995; Skerman et al., 1990). Mechanical tillage with animals may injure their shoulders due to too heavy traction. Tillage with tractors can expose rhizomes to desiccation on the soil surface, but can also spread the fragmented rhizomes (CABI, 2012).
Cover crop
Digitaria abyssinica may be helpful in soil binding. Its deep rhizomes help in linking soil elements thereby reducing erosion on sloping land (CABI, 2012). It has been planted on the slopes of the Cape Peninsula in South Africa to control erosion (Chippindall, 1955 cited by Skerman et al., 1990).