Evaluating the potential northward spread of two grass weeds in Sweden

Abstract

Two grass weeds, Alopecurus myosuroides and Bromus sterilis (syn. Anisantha sterilis), with restricted geographical distribution in the most southern part of Sweden, have caused recent concern among farmers. We evaluated their potential northward spread in Sweden by growing them, and the geographically widespread Apera spica-venti for comparison, at three sites in southern Sweden over two years using four or five planting dates per year. Results suggest that B. sterilis might become a pest also further north in Sweden, while A. myosuroides seems unlikely to spread northward.