Cheat (Bromus secalinus L.)

Compiled by Jeff Edwards, University of Wyoming, Goshen County Extension.

and Marjolein Schat, Montana State University from the following sources:

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

http://www.okrangelandswest.okstate.edu/pdfFiles/OSUextPubs/F-2774web.pdf

http://extension.missouri.edu/explore/agguides/pests/ipm1007cheat.htm

http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/grasses/plants/cm_chess.htm

http://extension.missouri.edu/explore/agguides/pests/ipm1007cheat.htm

Identification and Life Cycle

Cheat (Bromus secalinus L.) is an annual in the grass family (Poaceae). Other common names for B. secalinus include bromegrass, chess, and rye brome. Cheat leaves are rolled in the shoot and can be smooth or occasionally hairy on both surfaces. Leaves lack auricles and have a membranous ligule that is 1-1/2 to 2-1/2 mm long and is usually distinctly toothed or fringed with hairs near the top. Leaf blades are approximately 5 to 10 mm wide. Leaf sheaths are round and can also be smooth or slightly hairy on the lower portions. The seedhead is a drooping panicle but more upright than that of downy brome. Cheat appears similar to downy brome (Bromus tectorum L.) but the leaves are less hairy and the spikelets also have shorter awns than those of downy brome.

Habitats

Cheat can grow in a number of conditions including dry prairies, limestone glades, disturbed grassy meadows, vacant lots, abandoned fields, crops fields, and waste areas.

Impacts

Cheat competes with grains and can cause harvesting and dockage losses when cheat seed contaminates grains.

Biology and Ecology

Cheat germinates in fall and grows vegetatively through the fall and winter months. Reproductive growth begins in March. Flowering and seed set occur in May and June.

Management Approaches

Cheat and winter wheat respond similarly to may management practices. Prevention through control of cheat along field margins prior to seed set and cleaning equipment is a key to management.

Biological Control

There are currently no biological control agents available for cheat.

Mechanical and Cultural Control

Maintaining and promoting vigorous winter wheat stands can help reduce the impact of cheat. This can be accomplished by increasing seeding rates while reducing row spacing, planting competitive wheat varieties, and delaying wheat seeding until after cheat has germinated and seedlings have been destroyed or controlled. Deep plowing can bury cheat seed below a depth from which they can germinate, but soil conservation and costs associated with deep plowing should be considered prior to adopting this technique.

Chemical Control

There are a variety of selective post emergence herbicides available that can be effective against cheat. When using herbicides alternate products with different modes of action to aid in resistance management. Currently there are at least 81 products registered for use on cheatgrass representing 10 of the 27 herbicide groups (defined Modes of Action).

For herbicide recommendations for specific grain rotations and weeds in Montana, please see the MSU Herbicide Chooser Tool.

Examples of herbicides that can be used to manage cheat

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.

HPIPM:Cheat

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