HPIPM:Black mustard

Taxonomy

Domain	Eukarya
Kingdom	Plantae
Phylum	Magnoliophyta
Class	Magnoliopsida
Superorder	Rosanae
Order	Brassicales
Family	Brassicaceae
Subfamily	Brassicoideae
Tribe	Brassiceae
Subtribe	Rapistrinae
Genus	Rhamphospermum

Scientific Name

Rhamphospermum nigrum

Scientific Name Synonyms

Brassica nigra

Mutarda nigra

Common Name

black mustard

Black Mustard (Brassica nigra (L.) Koch)

Compiled by Sharla Sackman, Prairie County Extension, Terry, Montana, from the following sources:

Dewey, S.A., S.F. Enloe, F.D. Menalled, S.D. Miller, R.E. Whitesides, and L. Johnson. 2006-2007. Weed Management Handbook. Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, Utah State University, Logan, UT, and University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY.

McVay, K. 2010. Select a post applied herbicide for cereals (http://www.sarc.montana.edu/php/weeds.php, 3 February 2010). Montana State University, Bozeman, MT.

USDA, NRCS. 2010. The PLANTS Database (http://plants.usda.gov, 3 February 2010). National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA.

WSU Extension Grant-Adams. 2010. Mustard green manures, 3 February, 2010. Washington State University, Ephrata, WA. http://grant-adams.wsu.edu/agriculture/covercrops/green_manures/mustard_types.htm

Whitson, T.D. (Ed.), L.C. Burrill, S.A. Dewey, D.W. Cudney, B.E. Nelsen, R.D. Lee, and R. Parker. January, 1991. Weeds of the West. Pioneer of Jackson Hole, Jackson, WY.

Identification and Life Cycle

Black mustard is an annual plant, growing 2 to 5 feet tall. Stems are erect with a sparse to dense covering of stiff hairs on the lower portion of the stem with the upper portion generally smooth. Leaves are stalked and not clasping as in some other Brassica species. Leaves are 2 to 10 inches long and 1 to 6 inches wide, usually with a few short, stiff, scattered hairs. Lower leaves are deeply lobed while upper leaves are toothed. Seed pods are 4/10 to 1 inch long and are supported on short 1/8 to ¼ inch pedicels. Seed pods lack hairs and are somewhat 4-sided in cross-section. Like other Brassica species, pods have a conspicuous constricted beak above the uppermost seed. The beak is short (1/20 to ¼ inch) and cylindrical. Pod halves each have a single prominent lengthwise vein. Mature pods lie appressed close to the stem. Flowers resemble other Brassica species, having 4 bright yellow petals.

Habitats

Black mustard was introduced to North America from Europe. It infests roadsides, cultivated fields, and disturbed sites. Black mustard has been cultivated but has weedy characteristics due to its hard seed. Some mustard species are planted in some areas as cover crops or for green manure, although the use of black mustard is not as common as other species.

Impacts

Black mustard is considered a weed in crops such as corn, sorghum, potato, and small grains.

Biology and Ecology

Black mustard is an annual that propagates by seed.

Management Approaches

Black mustard is best controlled through prevention of establishment or by implementing mechanical or chemical control measures at planting time or when black mustard is young and actively growing.

Biological Control

There are currently no biological control agents for the control of black mustard.

Mechanical and Cultural Control

Tillage can be used to manage black mustard in the seedling stage. In order to be effective, tillage needs to take place before black mustard has set seed. Shallow tillage is preferred over deep tillage because deep tillage can bury weed seeds to depths where they can remain dormant for many years.

Chemical Control

Chemical control options for black mustard include a wide range of herbicides with application timing ranging from pre-plant to pre-emergence to post emergence. Chemical control should take place before black mustard has a chance to form seed and preferably before flowering. Crop rotations should be taken into consideration when selecting an herbicide, especially if other Brassica crops like canola and camelina are included in a crop rotation since residual herbicide may adversely affect these crops. Consult herbicide labels for all additional rate, application, crop restrictions, and safety information. Additional herbicide information can be found at http://www.greenbook.net or http://www.cdms.net/LabelsMsds/LMDefault.aspx.

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 images please visit IPM Images at: http://www.ipmimages.org/search/action.cfm?q=black%20mustard