Common Windgrass (Apera spica-venti) Control in Winter Wheat (Triticum aestivum)1

Abstract

Common windgrass is an increasing winter wheat weed problem in Michigan. Postplant incorporated trifluralin, applied at 0.56 kg/ha, reduced common windgrass density by 85% in small plot research and by 70% or greater in production scale sites. In 1994–1995, incorporation implements had no effect on initial wheat density. However in a spring 1995 evaluation, significant wheat injury and stand reduction occurred in response to trifluralin incorporation. Incorporation implement effects on wheat injury were in the order: flex-tine harrow > spike tooth drag > rotary hoe. When trifluralin was shallowly incorporated over wheat planted at least 5 cm deep, no significant wheat injury was observed at any site. Injury from postplant incorporated trifluralin was related to shallow planting depth.Nomenclature: Trifluralin; common windgrass, Apera spica-venti L. #3 APESV; wheat, Triticum aestivum L.