HPIPM:Feral rye

Taxonomy

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

Scientific Name

Secale cereale

Common Name

cereal rye

Feral rye (Secale cereale)

Author: Drew Lyon, University of Nebraska Lincoln

Identification and Life Cycle

Feral rye (Secale cereale), is a winter annual grass weed in crop systems. Feral rye resembles wheat in habit but can be differentiated by ligules, auricles, and seeds. Stems are erect and branch freely at the base, and grow 24 to 40 inches tall. Leaves are flat1/16th to 3/8th inches wide and blue-green in color. Leaf sheaths are open and may be hairy or smooth. Ligules are short, membranous, and slightly rounded. Auricles are white, narrow, and wither early. Seed heads are slender, slightly nodding, and are longer than wheat seed heads which are 2 – 5 inches long. Seeds are brownish-olive to yellow in color, egg shaped, and narrower than wheat seeds. Roots branch near the surface of the soil and can grow 4 – 6 feet deep.

Habitats

Rye is widely grown throughout North America and field contamination by volunteer rye can cause problems in wheat crops. Feral rye can also become established in open rangeland, waste places, and roadsides if it escapes cultivation.

Impacts

Rye causes problems in winter wheat and winter wheat-fallow rotations. Rye matures and shatters before wheat harvest, and presence of volunteer rye can lead to dockage, grade reduction, a loss of wheat quality, and reduced yield.

Biology and Ecology

Seeds germinate in early spring with optimal germination occurring when the soil temperature is between 55 and 60°F. The majority of seeds germinate within 4 weeks of initial germination. Seedling development is rapid, giving feral rye a competitive advantage. Individual spikes have flowers for up to 5 days. Rye is wind pollinated and reproduces by seed. A single rye plant may produce up to 800 seeds. Research suggests that seeds may remain viable in the soil for up to two years. However, growers have reported seed remaining dormant and viable for 5 to 10 years. Seeds can germinate as late as mid-April and still produce seed that year and plants as short as 6 inches can produce viable seed. Volunteer rye can be spread by planting contaminated seed, not cleaning harvesting machinery, and intense rainstorms that wash seeds from infested areas to unifested areas.

Management Approaches

An integrated approach is best for controlling feral rye. Preventative methods are a critical part of integrated programs that include crop rotation, mechanical control, and chemical control.

Biological Control

There are no biological controls available for feral rye.

Mechanical and Cultural Control

Eliminating potential seed sources for rye establishment is a top priority. Planting clean seed, thoroughly cleaning combines before moving between fields, and keeping feral rye out of roadside ditches and other areas that may contaminate fields can help prevent new infestations. Where infestations occur, it is important to destroy any feral rye before seed is produced. Feral rye can be controlled in winter wheat rotations that include late spring-planted crops, where tillage or herbicides can be used to control feral rye before planting. There should be at least two years between winter wheat crops to allow greater time for the soil seed bank to decline significantly. Hand roguing can be effective for controlling small infestations if done before plants reach the soft dough stage.

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=cereal%20rye

For more information on jointed goatgrass please see University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension, Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources publication G1483: Rye Control in Winter Wheat. http://www.ianrpubs.unl.edu/epublic/live/g1483/build/g1483.pdf