Soil remediation and stabilization
In India, Pennisetum pedicellatum is used as a soil stabilizer (Ecocrop, 2010). A combination of Stylosanthes humilis and Nigeria grass in a ratio of 1:2 provides a cover crop and promotes soil formation on coal spoil heaps (Maiti, 1997). It was also assessed in strip cropping in the Sahelian zone in Africa but did not prove to be valuable (Roose, 1994).
Weed
It is considered a noxious weed in several countries or states (West Africa, USA, Australia) (CIRAD, 2010; FAO, 2010; USDA, 2010). In Australia, it is a weed of sorghum grain crops. In tropical Africa and Asia, it invades well fertilized sorghum and pearl millet crops (Schmelzer, 1996). In North Cameroon, it is found in late seeded crops. It is difficult to control, to bury, and contact herbicides have no or very little effect since leaves can regrow from untouched nodes in the soil (CIRAD, 2010; USDA, 2010). In pasture, heavy grazing is a way of controlling Nigeria grass since it prevents seeds setting (Groves, 1991).