The behaviour of Japanese brome is causing concern among weed watchers.
It’s acting more like an annual and less like a winter annual, which makes control more difficult, said Saskatchewan weed specialist Clark Brenzil.
The problem has grown over the last 10 years, he said.
“It’s germinating in spring with the crop and becoming a management challenge,” he said. “Before, the spring burnoff would take care of it.”
Both Japanese and downy brome are on the provincial noxious weed list. Typically, they would germinate in the fall, but can act as spring annuals if there isn’t sufficient fall moisture.
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The grassy weeds can be difficult to kill, particularly in crops such as winter wheat that can’t handle certain herbicides. They will also infest rangeland, pasture, right-of-way and areas with cover.
Brome particularly likes no-till systems and will sprout in the trash left on the fields.
Brenzil said some of the herbicide tolerant canolas offer improved control, and chemical companies are working on products for cereals.
“Some of the Group 1 grass control options for broadleaf weeds will work at maximum rate and at the minimum stage,” Brenzil said. “Trifluralin will work as well.”
Some products suppress the weeds but don’t control them and seed production is still occurring.
The Biggar, Liberty, Imperial and Duval areas have all reported Japanese brome populations.
In Manitoba earlier this year, producers at Manitoba Ag Days heard there were at least 30 infested fields.
Custom combiners, birds, animals and contaminated grain and hay likely transport the weed seed.
Brenzil said it’s important for farmers to be able to identify Japanese brome and other weeds.
