HPIPM:Wild mustard

Taxonomy

Domain	Eukarya
Kingdom	Plantae
Phylum	Magnoliophyta
Class	Magnoliopsida
Superorder	Rosanae
Order	Brassicales
Family	Brassicaceae
Subfamily	Brassicoideae
Tribe	Brassiceae
Subtribe	Rapistrinae
Genus	Sinapis

Scientific Name

Sinapis arvensis

Scientific Name Synonyms

Brassica kaber var. pinnatifida

Common Name

wild mustard

Wild mustard(Sinapis arvensis)

Compiled by: Rachel Soto, Montana State University, Meagher County Extension

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

http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=SIAR4

http://montana.plant-life.org/species/sinap_arve.htm

http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Sinapis+arvensis

http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/facts/03-043.htm

Identification and Life Cycle

Wild mustard (Sinapis arvensis) is a non-native annual in the mustard family (Brassicaceae). The plant has simple to freely branched stems 10 inches to 3 feet tall, and is very leafy. The lower stems to the whole plant can have stiff to bristly hairs. Wild mustard leaves are alternate, ovate to obovate in outline. The lower leaves are about 4 – 6 inches long, stalked, with 1-3 very unequal lobes near the base. The rest of the blade tends to be a large end leaflet, coarsely to finely toothed. The upper leaves are smaller and short- to non-stalked. Flowers are numerous in dense, compounded clusters, as much as 12 inches long. Flower stalks are stout, 1/16 to 1/4 inch long, erect or ascending. The 4 sepals, 1/5 to 1/8 inch long, are narrowly oblong, spreading, the edges rolled in. The 4 petals are showy, spatulate, 1/3 to 1/2 inch long, with a narrow, erect claw about half the length of the petal. Fruits are siliques, 1.5 to 2 inches long, about 1/16 inch broad, and hairless to somewhat short-hairy. Siliques are straight or slightly up-curved, and the flattened beak 1/3 to 1/2 as long as the valves and similarly rather evidently 3-nerved. There are 7-12 seeds, about 1/16 inch long, with fine honey-comb patterns in each silique.

Habitats

The plant can grow in light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Wild mustard is common in cultivated fields, gardens, pastures, riverbanks, roadsides and waste places.

Impacts

Wild mustard is highly invasive, and may be poisonous to livestock. Wild mustard is considered a noxious weed in many states. Wild mustard can be a serious weed problem in spring cereals. Germination of wild mustard seed and rapid early seedling growth under cool spring and fall temperatures allow wild mustard to compete effectively with crop plants for light, water and nutrients. Populations of wild mustard left uncontrolled throughout the growing season can reduce potential yield and seed quality of the harvested crop.

Biology and Ecology

Wild mustard flowers in May-June and bears fruits in July-August. Minimum temperature for seed germination is 36°F; and the optimum is 57-68°F. Brown seeds have higher energy and speed of germination than black ones. Seeds germinate from depths of no more than 5-6 cm; their viability is maintained in soil for up to 10 years. Seeds partly keep their ability to germinate while passing through the digestive system of animals. Wild mustard plants have from 10-18 seeds per pod and can produce from 2,000-3,500 seeds per plant.

Biological Control

There are no biological control agents available.

Mechanical and Cultural Control

Since wild mustard is an annual plant that reproduces only by seed, this weed can be controlled by mechanical cultivation of emerged seedlings. However, cultivation of infested land is often impossible since wild mustard seed germinates at about the same time as spring planted annual crops.

Chemical Control

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. https://www.ipmimages.org/browse/subject/6416?tab=view-images