HPIPM:Black mustard

Taxonomy

Domain	Eukarya
Kingdom	Plantae
Phylum	Magnoliophyta
Class	Magnoliopsida
Superorder	Rosanae
Order	Brassicales
Family	Brassicaceae
Genus	Brassica

Scientific Name

Brassica 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.

Examples of herbicides that can be used to manage black mustard

In the table below are some examples of herbicides that can be used to manage black mustard. Additional herbicide options for small grains can be found at http://www.sarc.montana.edu/php/weeds.php.

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.

Herbicide Active Ingredient(s)/ *Trade Name	Mode of Action	Product per Acre	Application Time or Growth Stage
Corn/Sorghum
Atrazine	Group 5 (Photosystem II inhibitor)
*Aatrex		3.2 to 4 pts/A	Apply prepant surface (up to 45 days before planting- MT or WY only), or preplant incorporated, at planting, pre-emergence,or post-emergence before crop is 12 inches tall or weeds exceed 1.5 inch in height.
Carfentrazone-ethyl	Group 14 (PPO inhibitor)
*Aim EC		1.6 oz/A	Apply to emerged weeds from 30 days before planting up to the 8 leaf collar growth stage of corn. Weeds should be small (1 to 4 inches tall) and actively growing.
Dicamba	Group 4 (Synthetic auxins)
*Clarity		16 oz/A for Corn and 8 oz/A for Sorghum	Corn: Apply pre-plant (no-till only), pre-emergence, or early post-emergence before crop is beyond the 5 leaf stage or 8 inches tall. Or, late post-emergence when weeds are small and corn is between 8 and 36 inches tall. Sorghum: Apply after sorghum is in the spike stage, but before sorghum is 15 inches tall.
Potatoes
Rimsulfuron	Group 2 (ALS inhibitor)
*Matrix		1 to 1.5 oz/A	Pre-emergence: For best results, apply immediately after hilling, drag-off, or reservoir tillage (dam/dike operation) to a clean newly prepared seedbed. Post-emergence: Apply to young, actively growing weeds after crop emergence.
Pelargonic acid and related fatty acids
*Scythe		3 to 10 % by volume	Apply to small emerged weeds prior to crop emergence or after harvest.
Small Grains
Dicamba	Group 4 (Synthetic auxins)
*Clarity		8 oz/A	Apply to emerging and/or actively growing weeds before, during, or after planting, or after crop emergence. For best performance, apply when weeds are in the 2- to 3-leaf stage or when rosettes are less than 2 inches across.
Tribenuron-methyl	Group 2 (ALS inhibitor)
*Express		1/4 to 1/2 oz/A	Apply as a pre-plant burn down or to the crop from the 2-leaf stage but prior to the flag leaf stage.
Thifensulfuron	Group 2 (ALS inhibitor)
*Harmony GT		0.3 to 0.6 oz/A	Apply as a pre-plant burn down or to the crop from the 2-leaf stage but prior to the flag leaf stage.
Thifensulfuron-methyl, ribenuron-methyl, bromoxynil	Group 2 (ALS inhibitor), Group 6 (Photosystem II inhibitor)
*Affinity + Bromoxnyl		0.6 to 1 oz/A Affinity + 6 to 12 oz (active ingredient)/A Bromoxnyl	Apply after crop is in the 2-leaf stage but before the flag leaf is visible.
Pyrasulfotole + bromoxynil	Group 6 (Photosystem II inhibitor), Group 27 (Plant pigment biosynthesis and photosynthesis inhibitor)
*Huskie		11 to 15 oz/A	Apply when crop is between 1-leaf stage and up to flag leaf emergence.

The information herein is supplied with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and that listing of commercial products, necessary to this guide, implies no endorsement by the authors or the Extension Services of Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming or Montana. Criticism of products or equipment not listed is neither implied nor intended. Due to constantly changing labels, laws and regulations, the Extension Services can assume no liability for the suggested use of chemicals contained herein. Pesticides must be applied legally complying with all label directions and precautions on the pesticide container and any supplemental labeling and rules of state and federal pesticide regulatory agencies. State rules and regulations and special pesticide use allowances may vary from state to state: contact your State Department of Agriculture for the rules, regulations and allowances applicable in your state and locality. Updated Nov 2008

References

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