Oklahoma State University Stillwater, OK | |
Oklahoma Alfalfa |
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Downy Brome |
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COMMON NAME: | Downy Brome |
SCIENTIFIC NAME: | Bromus tectorum L. |
TYPE: | Annual Cool-season Weedy Grass |
DESCRIPTION | |
Germination: | September to November. |
Reproduction: | By seeds late April to early May. |
Stems: | Erect or spreading, slender, 6 to 24 inches high. |
Leaves: | Blades and sheaths covered with long soft hairs. |
Flowers/ Inflorescence: |
Rather dense panicle, soft, very drooping, often purplish. Spikelets 4- to 7-flowered. |
Fruit: | Seed unit long and narrow and includes lemma and palea, lemma pubescent and awned (1/2 to 3/4 inch awn). |
FOUND: |
Downy brome is found in pastures, small grains, along roadsides and is a major problem in old thinning alfalfa stands. It has very poor forage quality, so it drastically reduces the value of alfalfa hay. |
CONTROL: |
In seedling stands of fall-planted alfalfa, good control is obtained with fall application of POAST PLUS or SELECT. In established stands, good control is obtained with residual herbicide like VELPAR and SINBAR (0.5 lb/A of active ingredient) applied January to February. |
Jim Stritzke Former Alfalfa Weed Control Specialist Department of Plant and Soil Sciences Oklahoma State University |