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Foxtail Barley

Overview

Foxtail barley (Hordeum jubatum) is a perennial grass weed that can be particularly troublesome in agricultural settings as it competes with crops for nutrients, water, and light. As well, the awns (bristle-like structures) of foxtail barley can cause physical harm to livestock if ingested, leading to mouth ulcers and other health issues.

While it can provide some habitat for wildlife, its negative impacts often outweigh these benefits. In natural ecosystems, foxtail barley can outcompete native plant species, reducing biodiversity. It also can contribute to soil erosion due to its shallow root system, which is less effective at holding soil in place compared to deeper-rooted plants.

(Image credit: Elizabeth Bella, AECOM, Bugwood.org)

foxtail barley

How to Identify Foxtail Barley

Identifying foxtail barley involves looking for several key characteristics, as outlined below.

Growth Habit

Foxtail barley is a perennial grass that typically grows in clumps. It can reach heights of 30 to 60 cm (12 to 24 inches).

Leaves

The leaves are narrow, flat, and can be up to 30 cm (12 inches) long. They are often a light green color and have a rough texture.

Seed Heads

The most distinctive feature of foxtail barley is its seed head, which resembles a foxtail. The seed heads are dense, bristly, and can be 5 to 15 cm (2 to 6 inches) long. They have long, awn-like bristles that can be quite sharp and can cause irritation if they come into contact with skin or are ingested by livestock.

Seeds

The seeds are small, elongated, and covered with fine hairs. They are typically dispersed by wind, water, or animals.

Roots

Foxtail barley has a fibrous root system that allows it to establish quickly and compete with other plants for resources.

Habitat

It commonly grows in disturbed areas, roadsides, pastures, and fields. It prefers saline or alkaline soils but can be found in a variety of soil types and will do well under drought conditions. This species does well under extreme environments in the absence of competition. 

Geographic Impact of Foxtail Barley

Foxtail barley is native to North America and is commonly found across Canada and the United States.

Western Canada

  • British Columbia: Common in disturbed areas, roadsides, and pastures.

  • Alberta: Frequently found in agricultural fields, especially in areas with saline or alkaline soils.

  • Saskatchewan: Present in both agricultural and non-agricultural lands.

  • Manitoba: Found in similar habitats as in other western provinces.

Central Canada

  • Ontario: Can be found in disturbed soils, roadsides, and occasionally in agricultural fields.

  • Quebec: Less common but still present in disturbed areas and along roadsides.

Eastern Canada

  • New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador: Less prevalent but can still be found in disturbed areas and along roadsides.

Northern Canada

  • Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut: Less common due to harsher climatic conditions, but can still be found in some disturbed areas.

Timing of Foxtail Barley Emergence

Foxtail barley typically emerges in the early spring. It is a cool-season grass, meaning it germinates and begins to grow when temperatures are still relatively low. The timing of emergence can vary depending on local climate conditions, but generally, you can expect foxtail barley to start emerging as soon as the soil begins to warm up in the spring.

How Foxtail Barley Impacts Cereal Crops

Foxtail barley can impact a variety of cereal crops:

  • Wheat: Foxtail barley competes with wheat for nutrients and water, potentially reducing yields.

  • Barley: Similar to wheat, barley can be significantly impacted by the presence of foxtail barley.

  • Oats: Competition from foxtail barley can reduce oat yields and quality.

  • Corn: While less common, foxtail barley can still compete with corn, especially in the early stages of growth.

How Foxtail Barley Impacts Vegetable and Oil Crops

This weed impacts a range of vegetables:

  • Potatoes: Foxtail barley can compete with potatoes for nutrients and water, potentially reducing tuber size and yield.

  • Canola and flax crops: Similar to potatoes, these crops can be impacted by competition from foxtail barley.

How to Manage Foxtail Barley in Crops

Canadian farmers can manage foxtail barley in crops through a combination of cultural, mechanical, and chemical control methods. Here are some strategies:

Cultural Practices

  • Crop Rotation: Rotating crops can help break the life cycle of foxtail barley and reduce its prevalence.

  • Proper Irrigation: Ensuring optimal water management can help your cereal crops outcompete foxtail barley.

  • Soil Health: Maintaining healthy soil through proper fertilization and organic matter can reduce the competitive advantage of foxtail barley.

  • Proper Drainage: High water tables will promote salinity in the soil to a point where nothing will grow other than foxtail barley.

Mechanical Control

  • Tillage: Regular tillage can help disrupt the growth of foxtail barley. However, be mindful of soil erosion and other potential downsides of frequent tillage.

  • Mowing: In non-crop areas, mowing can help manage foxtail barley populations.

Leveraging FBN® Resources

By joining FBN, you can access a wealth of aggregated, anonymized data from other farmers. We can provide insights into the most effective products and practices for managing foxtail barley in your specific region. For more information, visit How does FBN work?

How to Manage Foxtail Barley in Cereal Crops

Prior to seeding use a high rate of glyphosate. To make it stronger, tank mix it with quizalofop. It can be applied before any cereal crop. 

Propoxycarbazone (e.g., Olympus herbicide) is a great option to be sprayed along with glyphosate ahead of wheat crop to offer good control over foxtail barley. 

Once it’s time to spray in-crop, use products that include Flucarbazone (like Everest®) to retain a decent control of foxtail barley in wheat only.

How to Manage Foxtail Barley in Pulse and Canola Crops

Some products containing quizalofop are registered to use in pulse and canola crops that will offer reasonable results on foxtail barley. FBN offers Elegant, contains quizalofop. 

Every product that labels FOXTAIL BARLEY as a weed, pest, or disease the product can be applied against is shown below. Click any product for label and more information.
Arrow 2ECAvatar™Avatar™ S2™Axill Solutions Clethodim 2ECAxiom® DFBatalium® AmpedBatalium® IIBatalium™Brahma 44Bromacil/Diuron 40/40Ceridian™ 2 ECCleanse®Cleanse® 2ECCleanse™ 2 ECClethodim 2 EC HerbicideClethodim 2ECraze®Dakota™Dakota™Derive 75 DFDerive® 4LDevrinol® 2-XTDevrinol® 50-DFDevrinol® 50-DF OrnamentalDevrinol® DF-XTDevrinol® DF-XT OrnamentalDimetric® DF 75%Dimetric® EXTDimetric® LiquidEnvoy Plus™ HerbicideEverest® 2.0 HerbicideEverest® 3.0 AGEverest® 3.0 AG HerbicideEverest® 3.0 HerbicideExpert® HerbicideGlory®Glory® 4LGoldSky® HerbicideGR1 HerbicideGR1™GR2Intensity Post- Emergence Grass Herbicide®Intensity® One Post-Emergence Grass HerbicideIronGate™ herbicideKerb® 50-W HerbicideKerb® 50WP Specialty HerbicideKerb® SCKerb® SC (RUP)Kerb® SC T&OKrovar® I DFKrovar® I DF HerbicideKrovar® IVMLambient™Landmark® XPMe-Try-Buzin™ 4LMe-Try-Buzin™ 75DFMetribuzin 4LMetribuzin 75Metribuzin 75DFMetricor™ 4FMetricor™ DFMetriflex 4SCMetrixxMetrixx 75DFMetrixx SCOlympus® 70% Water Dispersible Granular HerbicideOmni® Brand Clethodim 2 ECOmni® Brand Metribuzin 75 DFOpenSky®Oust® ExtraOust® ExtraOust® XPOust® XPOzone 3.0PerfectMatch™ HerbicidePowerFlex® HerbicidePowerFlex® HL HerbicidePre-Pare® 70% WDGRancor™ 4 FRancor™ 75 DFRaze® Herbicide by WinfieldRedEagle Clethodim 2ERimfire® MaxSection® 2EC (1381-204)Section® 2EC (42750-72-1381)Section® Three HerbicideSelect Max® Herbicide with Inside Technology™Select® 2 ECSelect® 2 EC HerbicideSequence®Shadow®Shadow® 3ECSierra™ HerbicideSimplicity® CASpyder® Extra Selective HerbicideSpyder® Selective HerbicideSweep® HerbicideTapout®Tarzec™TeamMate®Throttle® XPTide USA Clethodim 2ECTouchdown HiTech®Touchdown® HerbicideTraxion®TriCor® 4FTriCor® DFTripzin™ ZCTrizenta™ 3EC HerbicideTrizenta™ HerbicideVaquero®Vasuvius™Volunteer® Herbicide (42750-72-55467)Volunteer® Herbicide (66330-353-55467)Volunteer® Herbicide (70506-484-55467)Volunteer™ Herbicide (59639-3-55467)Willowood Clethodim 2ECWillowood Metribuzin 75DFWillowood Pronamide 3.3SCWillowood Pronamide 50WSP