Abstract:
An assessment was carried out on the highway from Jimma to Addis Ababa in November 2009 to
investigate the incidence and distribution of Mimosa diplotricha. This assessment revealed the
occurrence of the weed M. diplotricha on the road sides from Jimma to Wolisso town. The roadsides
from Beda Buna, near Jimma town, to Assendabo were seriously invaded whereas patches were
observed from Asendabo to Wolisso. The farmers indicated that the weed has invaded the area for the
last three to five years and confirmed that the spread of the weed was associated with the road
construction from Addis Ababa to Jimma and the allied movement of soils and heavy machineries and
vehicles. The literature study confirmed that the weed was known in many parts of the world as an
invasive weed. In Ethiopia, there are evidences that indicate the presence of the plant in Southwestern
Ethiopia for more than 20 years with the name Mimosa invisa. Mechanical, chemical and biological
control methods were attempted in different countries with varying degrees of success. An integrated
control method with land management practices has been suggested as the most effective. Though
some farmers around Jimma started controlling the plant thicket by burning, no other control method
was attempted. To this end, a country-wide survey was suggested on distribution and impacts of the
weed and investigations on its biology, ecology, mechanisms of invasion success and its management.
