What is black-grass in wheat?
Black-grass is a native annual grass weed that occurs throughout the UK but is found mainly in the cereal growing areas of southern and eastern England. It rarely occurs outside of cultivated land and is most abundant in winter crops. Black-grass is often found spreading into arable fields from the field margins. Black fungus on grass, often referred to as a lawn disease, is a common problem that can significantly impact the health and appearance of your lawn. This condition is caused by various fungi that thrive in specific environmental conditions, leading to unsightly dark patches on the grass.Black-grass is a native annual grass weed that occurs throughout the UK but is found mainly in the cereal growing areas of southern and eastern England. It rarely occurs outside of cultivated land and is most abundant in winter crops. Black-grass is often found spreading into arable fields from the field margins.
Why is black-grass a problem?
Black-grass can greatly affect yield and cause contamination issues at harvest. A few weeds one year can become a significant weed burden over a short time frame. Destroying (spraying with glyphosate or cutting) patches of black-grass in winter wheat in the first week of June will reduce viable seed return. Cutting or spraying earlier or later is likely to be less effective.Eliminate seed return Preventing seed return is the most important part of reducing blackgrass populations. If the post-emergence control is not satisfactory, make a decision pre-Christmas and plan a spring crop. Where infestations are worst, consider the use of glyphosate or whole crop but timing will be critical.Destroying (spraying with glyphosate or cutting) patches of black-grass in winter wheat in the first week of June will reduce viable seed return. Cutting or spraying earlier or later is likely to be less effective.Preventing seed return is the most important part of reducing blackgrass populations. If the post-emergence control is not satisfactory, make a decision pre-Christmas and plan a spring crop. Where infestations are worst, consider the use of glyphosate or whole crop but timing will be critical.Cover cropping and spring cropping Cover cropping in the autumn followed by spring cropping was found to virtually eliminate blackgrass in a study at Agrovista’s Lamport AgX site, with black oats and phacelia the most successful cover crop mix to provide blackgrass cover.