Brachiaria seedlings are slow to establish and may be outcompeted by weeds for water, light and nutrients if not weeded. Thus, a good weed control is essential during the seedling establishment period. Weeds can be controlled effectively using cultural methods and option for herbicides use are also available mainly to control broad leaf weeds. To minimize the competition with weeds, a pre-emergence herbicide may be applied prior sowing of the seeds to eliminate perennial grasses such as couch grass. At least one to two weeding are required after seedling emergence. After the establishment, Brachiaria grass grows vigorously and the stand can out-compete weeds and may not require further weeding.
