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Commelina species, notably C. communis L, C. diffusa Burm, C. elegans Kunth. and C. benghalensis L. as well as their biotypes, are perennial herbs of Neotropical origin which now have a pantropical distribution. Members of this family (Commelindeae: Commelinaceae) are common throughout the Caribbean, North and Latin America, Africa, Asia, the Middle East and parts of Oceania [18, 27, 28, 63, 64]. There are 500-600 species reported in the family Commelinaceae [50]. Recent data indicates that the Commelinaceae family contains 23 genera and at least 225 species native to or naturalized in the New World and 23 genera and about 200 species in the Neotropics [41] and also website reports of 50 genera and 700 species [16, 31]. There are 170 species of Commelina in the warmer regions of the world and 50 species of Murdannia occurring in the tropics and warm temperate regions worldwide with Tropical Asia having the greatest diversity [17]. Wilson [84] presented a comprehensive review on Commelina species and its management with emphasis on chemical weed control in 1981. Since Wilson's review much has been written about the weedy members of this family, notably Commelina species [84]. Indeed, the CAB ABSTRACTS Database contains well over 1200 references on Commelinaceae from 1981 to the present. Commelina benghalensis in particular has been the most reported species with several reports of research conducted on its control in southern states of the United States of America

In this study, farmers were engaged in a participatory research project and their attitudes evaluated. The purpose was to identify the characteristics of farmers who are favourably predisposed towards meaningful participation in the process. Several cover crops were tested for possible use in the management of watergrass (Commelina diffusa), a noxious weed in banana cultivation. Small, limited-resource farmers were exposed to the essentials of systematic research through a process of experiential learning using participatory techniques. Thirty-six farmers evaluated three cover crops against the current weed control practice of farmers, which served as the control. Farmers and researchers collaborated on the experimental design, treatment allocation, data to be collected and the form of the analysis. Summary data were subjected by the farmers to the Overlap Test to evaluate differences among the treatments. Results indicated that one cover crop, Desmodium heterocarpon, was better than the others in controlling watergrass. These results were confirmed by ANOVA.A Likert-type scale, used to assess farmers' attitude, showed that overall, farmers were generally favourable towards the process. Differences in responses to attitudinal statements were based mainly on farmers' differing education levels. Some level of attrition was experienced in this process, mainly by the older and more experienced farmers. The younger, less experienced farmers completed the trials to a large extent. The results provide useful information for the selection of farmers to be involved in future participatory technology development initiatives.

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