Japanese brome grass, a cool season annual, is native to the eastern region of Japan, as the name bromus japonicus implies, and central Europe.
It is considered an invasive alien species and competes with native perennials for resources in pastures and where reclamation is taking place on oil and gas sites, roadsides and where water erosion has damaged fields.
Japanese brome grass isn’t salt tolerant, so it sticks to premium soils or those with some sand where moisture is abundant.
Its spread is limited to the area around the original infestation, but if hayed or combined, the seeds are further distributed and will establish in disturbed and undisturbed land. It can be grazed early in the season, but rapidly loses it palatability.
Tillage and burning is effective in the short term, especially if followed up by chemical control.
Bromoxynil, Fluroxypyr, I mazamox, Florasulam with MCPA and Thiencarbazone-methyl are all registered for control of the pest.
