Research indicates that wheat yield can decrease by up to 50% in fields heavily infested with mustard.
Mustard competes with wheat for essential nutrients, water, and space, often gaining the upper hand due to its early germination. Furthermore, it can induce physiological stress in wheat plants through allelopathy, a process in which a plant releases chemicals that inhibit the growth of neighboring plants. Mustard plants release glucosinolates, which break down into compounds that can hinder wheat germination and growth.
How to Identify Mustard Weeds
Mustard, belonging to the Brassicaceae family, often intrudes wheat fields. Its bright yellow flowers, blooming from May to September, serve as a telltale sign. The plant can tower up to 1.5 meters, with deeply lobed, alternating leaves. Its seeds, small and round, range in color from reddish-brown to black.
Geographic Impact of Mustard Weeds
Mustard thrives in temperate regions worldwide, including North America, Europe, and parts of Asia. It prefers well-drained, fertile soils, making wheat fields an ideal environment.
Timing of Mustard Weeds Emergence
As a winter annual weed, mustard seeds germinate in the fall, surviving the winter as a rosette. Come spring, the rosette bolts into a flowering plant, setting seeds. This lifecycle makes mustard easy to spot early in the wheat growing season.
How to Manage Mustard Weeds in Wheat
To maintain crop health and yield, managing mustard in wheat fields is vital. The first step is identification, followed by effective control measures such as crop rotation, use of certified seeds, and targeted herbicide application.
Control mustard weed species by late winter or very early spring, before the stems begin to elongate for optimum results. Most ALS-inhibiting herbicides control winter annual mustards very well, although ALS-resistant populations may require tank mixes with alternate modes of action. Herbicides typically need to be applied in late February or early March for effective blue mustard control.
Post-emergence
Fall applications:
Rapport Tank Mix Herbicide can applied post-emergence in the fall to wheat with at least two leaves fully emerged.
Huskie® and 2,4-D LV6 Value Pick are other options for fall application. Do not tank mix 2,4-D with a sulfonylurea herbicide in the fall or serious crop injury could occur.
Apply herbicides before freezing temperatures slow weed growth.
Spring applications:
For effective management, control weeds before bolting occurs.
Apply 2,4-D LV6 Value Pick alone or with a sulfonylurea herbicide like Rapport Tank Mix. Wheat should be fully tillered before applying 2, 4-D, or tillering will be inhibited, reducing wheat yield potential. MCPA herbicides like MCPE Phenoxy are preferable to 2,4-D if spraying wheat that is not well-tillered.
Burndown
Use Willowood Paraquat 3SL* prior to wheat emergence.
Always adhere to the recommended application rates and guidelines provided on the product labels for effective and safe use.
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