HPIPM:Ripgut brome

Taxonomy

Domain	Eukarya
Kingdom	Plantae
Phylum	Magnoliophyta
Class	Magnoliopsida
Superorder	Lilianae
Order	Poales
Family	Poaceae
Subfamily	Pooideae
Tribe	Bromeae
Genus	Bromus

Scientific Name

Bromus diandrus

Scientific Name Synonyms

Bromus diandrus var. gussonei

Common Name

ripgut brome

Ripgut brome (Bromus diandrus Roth.)

Compiled by Jane Mangold, Montana State University

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

http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=BRDI3

http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/WEEDS/ripgut_brome.html

http://www.cal-ipc.org/ip/management/wwh/pdf/19652.pdf

http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/arcata/arcweeds/plants/ripgut.html

Identification and Life Cycle

Ripgut brome (Bromus diandrus) synonymous with (Bromus rigidus Roth.) is an annual in the grass family (Poaceae) that grows from 6 to 31 inches tall. Ripgut brome seedlings have a tubular sheath. Soft hairs cover the leaf blades and sheaths. The ligule is long, whitish, and has a jagged tip. Ripgut brome has no auricles. The open panicles resemble oats with long often compressed spikelets containing 1-2 inch long awns. The spikelets have longer awns than most brome grasses. The florets have small rough teeth.

Habitats

Ripgut brome can become established in a wide range of soil moisture conditions and it occurs in open, generally disturbed places.

Impacts

The rough teeth on the spikelets can injure livestock feeding on ripgut brome. Ripgut brome can also reduce yield in cereal grains. Ripgut brome becomes very dry and flammable during dry seasons, and has been linked to increased fire frequency.

Biology and Ecology

Ripgut brome reproduces by seed only. The branched and often drooping inflorescence develops March–June. Seed production is high, with a single plant capable of producing up to a thousand seeds. Seeds are usually wind dispersed and can travel long distances, but they can also become attached to clothing. Germination occurs between November and April. Seeds can persist for up to 5 years.

Management Approaches

As an annual, management should be aimed at preventing flowering and seed set.

Biological Control

There are no biological controls for ripgut brome.

Mechanical and Cultural Control

Small infestations can be hand pulled in early spring before seeds are ripe, preferably when seeds are hanging but while they still contain a milky substance. Larger infestations can be mowed. Grass should be cut to 2 inches and the bolting crown must be removed. Mowing should be done between late March and early April before seeds mature.

Chemical Control

Although there are no reported cases of herbicide resistance in ripgut brome in the United States, resistance to ACCase inhibitors has been reported recently in western and southern Australia. For more information on global reports of herbicide resistance in ripgut brome, please see http://www.weedscience.org/Summary/USpeciesCountry.asp?lstWeedID=38&FmCommonName=Go.

Examples of herbicides that can be used to manage ripgut brome

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=ripgut%20brome