HPIPM:Barnyard grass

Taxonomy

Domain	Eukarya
Kingdom	Plantae
Phylum	Magnoliophyta
Class	Magnoliopsida
Superorder	Lilianae
Order	Poales
Family	Poaceae
Genus	Echinochloa

Scientific Name

Echinochloa crus-galli

Scientific Name Synonyms

Echinochloa crusgalli

Common Name

barnyardgrass

Barnyard grass (Echinochloa crus-galli)

Compiled by Melissa Gravesand Marjolein Schat, Montana State University from the following sources:

http://www.css.cornell.edu/weedeco/WeedDatabase/index2.html

http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=ECCR

http://extension.missouri.edu/explore/wildthing/barnyardgrass.htm

Esser, Lora L. 1994. Echinochloa crus-galli. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available:http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/graminoid/echcru/all.html [2008, October].

Identification and Life Cycle

Barnyard grass (Echinochloa crus-galli) is a summer annual in the grass family (Poaceae). Barnyard grass is also called barnyard millet, common barnyard grass, panic grass, and water grass. Stems may be solitary or in small tufts, erect or reclining at the base, and up to 6.6 feet tall. Leaves are flat, 4 to 12 inches long and 0.2 to 0.6 inch wide. The panicle is 2 to 8.4 inches long, upright or nodding. Barnyard grass has a fibrous root system.

Habitats

Barnyard grass is widespread in fields, waste places, ditches, marshes, wet meadows, floodplains and along lakeshores and stream banks.

Impacts

Barnyard grass is an alternate host for several diseases of barley, oat and corn, including maize dwarf disease. Barnyard grass can also reduce dry bean yields at densities as low as two plants per six feet of row.

Biology and Ecology

Barnyard grass reproduces by seed. It is self-pollinating and a prolific seed producer. Barnyard grass begins emerging in May, reaches peak emergence in early June and continues to emerge sporadically until September. The inflorescence will form about 40 days after emergence if days are short, but several months may be required for plants emerging in May. Seeds mature about 20 days after flowering. It completes its development in 42-64 days. Each plant can produce up to 40,000 seeds.

Biological Control

There is ongoing research in the use of rhizobacteria for the control of barnyard grass in Asia and Australia, and a moth Enosima leucotaeniella is being considered for use as a biological control agent in Japan. However, there are currently no biological control agents available in the United States.

Mechanical and Cultural Control

Generally, seed yields from barnyard grass stands are reduced in 2 to 3 years because of competition from other weeds.

Chemical Control

Consult herbicide labels for additional rate, application, and safety information. Additional herbicide information can be found at http://www.greenbook.net.

Due to constantly changing labels, laws and regulations, the sponsors of this web site assume no liability for the suggested use of any chemicals noted in the management section. Contact your local pest management personnel for current information on labeled pesticides that can be used for the intended plant disease, insect pest or weed.

References

For more information and images please visit IPM Bugwood. http://www.ipmimages.org/search/action.cfm?q=barnyardgrass&Start=1&results=26