Burgu is often considered an important weed in rice fields in tropical Africa, in the Indian subcontinent and in Thailand (Brink, 2006). However, it is also cultivated as a crop in India where it competes well with weeds (Skerman et al., 1990).
Burgu plays the role of substrate for heterotrophic bacteria that remove water pollutants such as nitrates, ammonium and phosphates in irrigation and drainage canal systems (Haroon et al., 2009). Echinochloa stagnina may also be used for reclamation of alkaline and sodic soils (Helalia et al., 1992).
Burgu is important for fish diversity as it provides good breeding and feeding habitats (Brown et al., 2010).