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Cleavers

Overview

Commonly known as cleavers, bedstraw, stickywilly, and catchweed, Galium aparine is a herbaceous annual plant that belongs to the Rubiaceae family. Cleavers have a sprawling growth habit and can quickly spread, making them difficult to control. The extent of damage caused by cleavers can vary depending on factors such as the severity of the infestation, the crop type, and the effectiveness of weed control measures implemented by the farmer.

(Image Credit: Luis Nunes Alberto / https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Galium_aparine.jpg)

Galium aparine

How to Identify Cleavers

Cleavers are annual weeds with slender, square-shaped stems that can grow up to several feet in length. The leaves are narrow, lance-shaped, and arranged in whorls of six to eight around the stem. The leaves and stems are covered in small, hooked hairs that give the plant a sticky texture.

Cleavers produce small, white, four-petaled flowers that bloom from spring to early summer. After flowering, the plant develops small, round, green fruits that turn brown when mature. These fruits are covered in tiny hooked bristles, which allow them to easily attach to clothing, animals, or machinery.

Cleavers are climbing weeds that tend to wrap around and tangle with other plants. They can quickly overtake crops and form dense mats if left uncontrolled.

Geographic Impact of Cleavers

Cleavers can be found in various parts of Canada and can impact crops in different regions. While cleavers are considered a widespread weed across the country, they are commonly found in the Prairie Provinces — Central and northern Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba — where they can be particularly problematic in oilseed crops such as canola, as well as cereal crops like wheat, barley, and oats. They can also affect pulse crops like peas and lentils in these regions. 

In Eastern Canada — including provinces like Ontario and Quebec — cleavers can be a concern in various crops, including cereals, oilseeds, and pulses.

It's important to note that the distribution and impact of cleavers can vary within specific regions and even within individual fields. Local conditions and farming practices can influence the severity of cleaver infestations. They thrive in moist, fertile soils and are commonly found in fields, gardens, hedgerows, and along roadsides.

Cleavers are considered a cosmopolitan weed, meaning they have a global distribution and can thrive in diverse climates and soil conditions. In addition to Canada, they can also be found in the United States and across Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and parts of South America.

Timing of Cleaver Emergence 

The specific timing of cleaver emergence may vary depending on the region and local climate conditions. However, it is generally recommended to start monitoring for cleavers as soon as the weather warms up and soil temperatures reach a level suitable for germination. In most parts of Canada, this would typically be in late April or early May. 

Additionally, it's important to continue monitoring for cleavers throughout the growing season, as they can continue to emerge and grow alongside crops. Regular field inspections, especially during the early stages of crop growth, can help identify and address cleaver infestations promptly.

How Cleavers Impact Crops

Let’s take a look at a few ways that cleavers can impact crops.

1. Crop Competition

Cleavers are aggressive climbers that can quickly overtake crops, competing for essential resources like sunlight, water, and nutrients. This competition can lead to reduced crop growth, lower yields, and poor crop quality.

2. Crop Lodging

Cleavers can cause crop lodging, which is when plants lean or fall over due to the weight and entanglement of the weed, resulting in yield losses.

3. Harvesting Challenges

Cleavers can become tangled in harvesting equipment, leading to machinery clogs and breakdowns. This can cause delays during harvest and increase operational costs.

4. Crop Contamination

Cleavers have small, sticky seeds that can easily attach to harvested crops. If not properly managed, these seeds can contaminate harvested grain, reducing its quality and market value.

5. Weed Seed Bank Buildup

Cleavers produce a large number of seeds that can remain viable in the soil for several years. If not effectively controlled, cleavers can contribute to the buildup of the weed seed bank, making future management more challenging.

How to Manage Cleavers in Crops

Managing cleavers effectively in Canadian farms involves implementing integrated weed management strategies. It's important to note that the most suitable management practices may vary depending on factors such as crop type, field conditions, and regional regulations. Here are some approaches that farmers can consider:

1. Herbicide Use

Herbicides registered for cleaver control can be an effective tool. See crop-specific information in the next section below. 

Remember to always follow label instructions when using herbicides. It's important to note that the availability and registration of specific herbicides may vary by province and may be subject to change. 

2. Cultural Practices

Crop Rotation

Implementing a diverse crop rotation can help break the cycle of cleavers and reduce their population over time.

Tillage

Proper tillage practices, such as shallow cultivation or strategic tillage, can help control cleavers by disrupting their growth and burying weed seeds.

Crop Density

Maintaining a dense crop canopy can help suppress cleaver growth by limiting their access to sunlight.

3. Timely Weed Control

Early intervention is crucial to prevent cleavers from establishing and competing with crops. Implement weed control measures as soon as cleavers are detected to minimize their impact.

4. Weed Hygiene

Practice good weed hygiene to prevent the spread of cleaver seeds. Clean equipment, vehicles, and clothing that may come into contact with cleavers to avoid seed dispersal.

5. Integrated Weed Management

Combining multiple management practices, such as herbicide use, cultural practices, and targeted weed control, can provide more effective and sustainable cleaver management.

How Cleavers Impact Wheat

Cleavers can wrap around wheat stems, causing lodging, which is when the plants bend or fall over. Lodging can make it difficult for the wheat to receive adequate sunlight and can also hinder harvesting operations.

Additionally, cleavers can interfere with the wheat's growth and development by reducing the available resources for the crop. This can result in stunted growth, reduced tillering, and ultimately lower grain production. If left uncontrolled, they can significantly reduce wheat yields.

How Cleavers Impact Barley

Cleavers can have a significant impact on barley crops. As a weed, cleavers compete with barley plants for essential resources such as nutrients, water, and sunlight. This competition can result in reduced barley growth and yield. 

How Cleavers Impact Oilseed Crops

Cleavers can impact various oilseed crops, including canola, sunflowers, and flax. It is important for farmers growing oilseed crops to implement effective weed control measures to minimize the impact of cleavers and protect the productivity of their crops.

As a weed, cleavers compete with these oilseed crops for resources such as nutrients, water, and sunlight, which can result in reduced crop growth and yield. The most problematic issue with cleavers is that farmers cannot separate the pest from canola because cleavers seeds are very similar to canola seeds in terms of size and color.  

How to Manage Cleavers in Oilseed Crops

Managing cleavers in oilseed crops in Canada can be challenging as there may not be specific herbicide products labeled for use against cleavers in oil crops. However, our experts have a few recommendations. 

Pre-Burndown Options:

In-Crop Options (depending on hybrid type):

Disclaimer

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This content was generated with the assistance of Norm℠, FBN’s artificial intelligence (AI) Ag Advisor, based on a dataset of information containing general industry best practices and research. The AI model did not use specific external sources to generate this content. Our process involves using AI to aid human subject matter experts with the initial drafting and/or refinement of content. 

The information and content provided is believed to be reliable, but its accuracy is not guaranteed. The content is provided for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for specific agronomic, business, or professional advice, and should not be relied upon as such. Neither Farmer's Business Network Inc. nor any of its affiliates makes any representations or warranties, express or implied, as to the accuracy or completeness of the statements or any information contained in the material and any liability therefore is expressly disclaimed. If you have any questions or feedback about the content, please feel free to contact us or visit our FAQ (https://www.fbn.com/community/blog/norm-faq).

Every product that labels CLEAVERS as a weed, pest, or disease the product can be applied against is shown below. Click any product for label and more information.
Affinity® TankMixAffinity® TankMix Herbicide (with TotalSol®)Alligare Flagstaff™ HerbicideAudit® 4:1Audit® 9:1 HerbicideAutonomy™ HerbicideAxill Solutions Glufosinate 280SLBasamid® GBatalium® AmpedBatalium® IIBatalium™Boomer™ HerbicideCarnivore® HerbicideCheetah™ Max HerbicideCleansweep® D HerbicideCleansweep™ M HerbicideCleanWave® HerbicideClearGraze®Clomate™ 3MEColt® ASColt®+Salvo® HerbicideColt®+Sword® HerbicideComet® Selective HerbicideEdition® TankmixFancyFar ReachFever™Fever™ HerbicideForfeit® 280Full Deck™Gallatin™GCS Quinclo 4GoldSky® HerbicideGR1 HerbicideGR1™GR2Hat Trick® Three Way HerbicideHuskie® CompleteHuskie® FXHuskie® HerbicideIgnite® 280 SLInflame™ 280 SLInterline® HerbicideIntermoc™IronGate™ herbicideKochiavore®Liberty® 280 SLLiberty® 280 SL HerbicideNoventa™ HerbicideNufarm Leopard™ HerbicideOpenSky®OpportunityOrion® HerbicideParamount® herbicidePastureGard® HLPastureGard® Specialty HerbicidePerfectMatch™ HerbicidePixxaro® ECPowerFlex® HerbicidePowerFlex® HL HerbicidePrizeQuelex® Herbicide with Arylex™ ActiveQuinStar® 4LRapport® Tank Mix HerbicideReckon™ 280SLRefer® 280 SL HerbicideRely® 280 HerbicideRezuvant™ herbicideScorch™Sentrallas® HerbicideSentrallas™Simplicity® CASinate® HerbicideStarane® Flex HerbicideStarane® NXT HerbicideStarane® Ultra HerbicideStareDown®Stark™ UltraSupremacy® HerbicideSurmise®Surmise® 5Surmount® HerbicideTarzec™TeamMate®Tide Glufosinate 280 SLTotal® 2.3Total® HerbicideTravallas™Triumph® XTRTrooper™ ProTrumpcard®Truslate®Truslate™ ProVista® XRT HerbicideVoucher®Weld® HerbicideWhiplash™WideARmatch™ HerbicideWideMatch® HerbicideWillowood Glufosinate 280SLWillowood Glufosinate 280SL (OT)Wolverine® AdvancedWolverine® HerbicideZalo® Herbicide