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Weed
Control for Wheat and Barley Barry Tickes, Area Agent, Agriculture Mike Ottman, Specialist, Plant Science Wheat and barley are vigorous crops that rapidly cover
the soil surface and often out-compete weeds. Small grains and other
grasses are often planted as cover crops to suppress weeds. However,
weeds can be a problem in wheat and barley especially where crop rotation
is not practiced. Besides reducing yields, weeds can make harvesting
difficult, increase dockage, cause heating in grain bins, discolor the
grain, produce an off-flavor in the grain, reduce crop quality, and
encourage insect infestation or mold growth in stored grain.
An integrated approach to weed management in wheat and barley includes preventing the introduction or spread of weeds, crop rotation, cultural practices that result in a vigorous crop, and chemical treatment when necessary. Weed seed can be spread from weeds growing along ditch banks and other areas, by tillage and harvesting equipment, and through contaminated crop seed. Crop rotation is an integral component of weed management since many weeds are easier to control in certain crops. Pre-irrigating can germinate weed seeds which can be eliminated by tillage at planting time. Planting below dry soil in a mulch can inhibit germination of certain shallow-germinating weeds such as canarygrass, but not other weeds such as wild oats that can emerge from 3 inches or more. Early planting dates generally result in plants that tiller more and are more competitive with weeds. Drill seeding produces a more uniform stand than broadcasting and helps in weed control. High seeding rates are also more competitive with weeds. Land leveling is important for weed control since weeds often flourish in low areas. Providing adequate but not excessive water and fertilizer maintains a vigorously growing crop that is competitive with weeds. Chemical treatments are important tools in weed management to maintain yield and quality and prevent proliferation of weeds that could affect future crops.
Table: Chemical Weed Control for Wheat and Barley in the Low Deserts of Arizona
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