EFFECTS OF GRASS-WEED INTERACTIONS ON MORPHO-ECOLOGICAL TRAITS AND WEEDING BENEFITS OF RANGE GRASSES IN SOUTHERN KENYA RANGELANDS

<p><strong>Background:</strong> Weeds invasion into rangeland ecosystems is a precursor for biodiversity loss, increased soil erosion, declining wildlife habitats, and decline in carrying capacity livestock. These weeds are fierce competitors with range grasses often possessing attributes of high seedling vigor short life cycles compared to the grasses. pasture land, can starve grown land. <strong>Objective:</strong> To investigate competitive interactions three weed infestation. <strong>Methodology:</strong> The evaluated were; <em>Chloris roxburghiana </em>(CHLORIS)<em>,</em> <em>Cenchrus</em> <em>ciliaris </em>(CECI), <em>Eragrotis superba </em>(ERASU). Four control regimes were applied: Continuous weeding (T<sub>1</sub>), on 8<sup>th</sup> week (T<sub>2</sub>), 10<sup>th</sup> (T<sub>3</sub>) (T<sub>4</sub>). grass species Morpho-ecological data was collected parameters such as; tiller density, height, density biomass yield at bloom stage. <strong>Results:</strong> A significant difference morpho-ecological traits all found. management establishment, respectively showed highest performance measured. None-weeding demonstrated least performance. <strong>Implication:</strong> research findings will help developing long term plans prevent encroachment problematic rehabilitate already degraded rangelands. <strong>Conclusion:</strong> On species, continuous, weeding, periodic 8 weeks 10 an increase dry matter respectively. had </p>