HPIPM:Catchweed bedstraw

From Bugwoodwiki


HPIPM Navbar 

                       Card image cap
Taxonomy
DomainEukarya
KingdomPlantae
PhylumMagnoliophyta
ClassMagnoliopsida
SuperorderAsteranae
OrderGentianales
FamilyRubiaceae
GenusGalium
Scientific Name
Galium aparine
Common Name
catchweed bedstraw

Catchweed bedstraw (Galium aparine)

Compiled by Andrew Hulting, Oregon State University, and Marjolein Schat, Montana State University, from the following sources:

Identification and Life Cycle

Catchweed bedstraw (Galium aparine) is an annual weed in the madder family (Rubiaceae) that is distributed worldwide. Catchweed bedstraw is also called goose-grass, sticky-willy, and cleavers. Catchweed bedstraw is a scrambling plant 4 to 40 inches tall with weak four sided stems and is sparsely branched. Stems have small clinging hooks enabling this species to climb up other plants and structures. Leaves form in whorls of usually 6 narrow leaflets. Flowers are white to greenish, tiny, and have four petals. Flowers form in clusters of 3-5 in leaf axils.

Habitats

Catchweed bedstraw prefers shaded moist areas. In the Pacific Northwest it is found in coniferous and deciduous forests, shrublands, and in grassland plant communities. It is also found in disturbed sites and crops including alfalfa, clover, grass grown for seed and small grains.

Impacts

Catchweed bedstraw seeds can become heavily matted in sheep wool and lead to decreased wool values. Catchweed bedstraw and related plants are increasing as problems in cropland in the Pacific Northwest. The primary problem is not competition resulting in reduced yield of various crops, but difficulty in harvesting when catchweed bedstraw becomes tangled with the crop or equipment.

Biology and Ecology

Catchweed bedstraw reproduces only by seed. Once seeds germinate, catchweed bedstraw develops rapidly. Roots can reach lengths of 2 to 2.5 inches by the time the first leaves appear. Flowers can develop within 8 weeks of germination. Seeds germinate throughout the season. Plants can produce up to 100 to 400 seeds each. Seeds are dispersed long distances because they stick to feathers, fur and clothing. The bristles on stems also allow stems to stick to animals, equipment and clothing. Seeds can remain viable in the soil for up to 6 years.

Management Approaches

Preventing spread of catchweed bedstraw into cultivated areas is a key management strategy. Catchweed bedstraw becomes established first in uncultivated areas such as fence rows, under trees, and in thickets bordering fields.

Biological Control

No insect or disease biological control agents are known to impact this or related species. Currently, catchweed bedstraw doesn't cause enough economic loss to warrant a search for biological control agents.

Mechanical and Cultural Control

Cultivation can be used to control small catchweed bedstraw plants after they emerge.


Chemical Control

There are a number of chemical control options for catchweed bedstraw.

Examples of herbicides that can be used to manage catchweed bedstraw

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

Herbicide Active Ingredient trade name Mode of Action Product per Acre Application Time or Growth Stage
Alfalfa
Imazethapyr Group 2 (ALS inhibitor)
*Pursuit 4-6 ounces Apply when weeds are less than 4 inches tall. Apply post crop emergence to seedling to established alfalfa. Apply to seedling alfalfa in the second trifoliate stage. For alfalfa grown for seed apply before bud formation. In established alfalfa apply before 3 inches of regrowth.
Wheat and Barley
Carfentazone Group 14 (PPO Inhibitor)
* Aim 1-2 ounces Apply to actively growing weeds less than four inches tall and prior to jointing in wheat and barley.
Fluroxypyr, 2,4-D Group 4 (synthetic auxins)
*Starane + Salvo 1-1.3 pints Apply postemergence to actively growing wheat or barley from the 4-leaf to flag leaf emergence stage of growth and when weeds are less than 8 inches tall.
Winter Wheat
pyroxsulam Group 2 (ALS inhibitor)
*PowerFlex 3.5 oz/A Apply postemergence in the fall or spring from 3-leaf stage until jointing.
Florasulam + MCPA Group 2 (ALS inhibitor) + Group 4 (synthetic auxins)
*Orion 17 oz/A Apply postemergence in the spring from 3-leaf stage until jointing.
Carfentrazone + 2,4-D Group 14 (PPO inhibitor) + Group 4 (synthetic auxins)
*Rage D-Tech 8-16 ounces/A Apply postemergence in the spring from 3-leaf stage until jointing.
Fluroxypyr + bromoxynil Group 4 (synthetic auxins) + Group 6 (photosystem II inhibitor)
*Starane NXT 14-27.5 ounces/A Apply postemergence from the 3-leaf stage through flag leaf emergence.
Pasture, Hay, and Rangeland
Dicamba Group 4 (synthetic auxins)
*Banvel 0.5-1.5 pints Apply to actively growing weeds. Do not apply more than 1 pint per acre on newly seeded crops. See label for grazing restrictions and tank mix information.
Grass grown for seed
Carfentrazone Group 14 (PPO inhibitor)
*Aim 0.5-2 ounces/A Apply to seedling grasses up to the jointing stage.
Carfentrazone + 2,4-D Group 14 (PPO inhibitor) + Group 4 (synthetic auxins)
*Rage D-Tech 8-32 ounces/A Apply to 5-leaf grasses up to early boot stage.
Fluroxypyr + bromoxynil Group 4 (synthetic auxins) + Group 6 (photosystem II inhibitor)
*Starane NXT 14-27.5 ounces/A Apply to 2-leaf grasses up to early boot stage.
Fluroxypyr + Clopyralid Group 4 (synthetic auxins)
*WideMatch 1-1.33 pints/A Apply to 2-leaf grasses up to early boot stage.

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.

References

For more information and images please visit IPM Bugwood: http://www.ipmimages.org/search/action.cfm?q=Galium%20aparine&Start=1&results=17

Retrieved from "http://wiki.bugwood.org/index.php?title=HPIPM:Catchweed_bedstraw&oldid=55529"
Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health at the University of Georgia