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JUNE 2006

Washington State University
WHITMAN COUNTY EXTENSION

STEVE'S

Weed of the Month


Jointed Goatgrass

Jointed Goatgrass is a Class C Weed. The Class C status allows counties to enforce control if locally desired.Other counties may
choose to provide education or technical consultation.

History & Biology

Jointed goatgrass (Aegilops cylindrica) is a winter annual grass native of southern Europe and western Asia. Jointed goatgrass is generally found in areas of 10 to 20 inches of annual rainfall and in elevations of 800 to 4,000 feet. It is closely related to wheat and the two species share a similar genome (D genome). Wheat and jointed goatgrass can cross to form a sterile hybrid (photo 1). Jointed goatgrass is difficult to distinguish from wheat early in growth but can be distinguished when the spikes appear. Jointed goatgrass spreads exclusively by seed and is a contaminant of winter wheat. It is very difficult to separate jointed goatgrass segments from wheat seed due to similar size and weight. A jointed goatgrass plant can produce up to 100 spikes, 1,500 joints and up to 3,000 seeds in a single plant. Approximately 75 to 80 percent of the spikelets contain 2 seeds and about 20 to 25 percent of the spikelets contain 1 seed. A very small percentage of spikelets contain 3 seeds. The leaves of jointed goatgrass are up to a ½ inch wide, and have evenly spaced fine hairs along the leaf edges and down the sheath opening. Stems can grow up to 4 feet tall and are tipped with slender, cylindrical spikes that appear to be a series of joints stacked on top of each other.

 


 

jointed goatgrass 1

jointed goatgrass 2

jointed goatgrass, Aegilops cylindrica (Cyperales: Poaceae)
Photo by Phil Westra

 

 
jointed goatgrass distribution map

State(s) where reported invasive*: AZ, OK, OR, WA

*Information from Swearingen, J. 2005. Alien Plant Invaders of Natural Areas. Plant Conservation Alliance, Alien Plant Working Group.
**Map generated by http://douweosinga.com/projects/visitedstates.

Jointed Goatgrass Control

Prevention –identify plants; avoid introduction of seeds by contaminated equipment or field edges

Plant clean seed. Jointed goatgrass seeds are often found as a contaminant in small grains.

Use an integrated systems approach when trying to control weeds such as jointed goatgrass.

Cultural: Crop rotation is an effective control method. The use of a broadleaf crop can aid in breaking the cycle of jointed goatgrass infestations in grass-like cropping systems. Mowing can be effective in roadsides, fencerows and non-cropland areas; however timing is critical. Burning can reduce seed by 80% if sufficient residue is present; however, seeds buried in the soil will remain viable. Moldboard plowing can be used to bury seedlings at least 6 inches; however, seeds brought up through plowing will cause additional populations to develop.

Biological Control: None Available

Chemical Control


Selective in crop
Many herbicides can be used for control of jointed goatgtass.

More information can be found in the
PNW Weed Management Handbook.

Refer to the label for all herbicides.
Always follow label directions prior to use.

More Information:        Refer to attached PDF document

Back to weeds index

Questions: contact Steve Van Vleet or phone (509 - 397 - 6290)


  
                         
                         
                         
 

Contact us: Ken Hathaway, klhathaway@wsu.edu 509-397-6290 | Accessibility | Copyright | Policies
Whitman County Extension, 310 N Main, Colfax, WA 99111 USA