Foxtail Barley

Foxtail barley seedling Foxtail barley seedling stem
click to enlarge 		Foxtail barley juvenile Foxtail barley collar region
Foxtail barley stem hairs - note colour Mature foxtail barley Foxtail barley in winter wheat crop 
Foxtail barley seeds Foxtail barley mature seeds Foxtail barley seed

Biology

Foxtail barley is a simple perennial weed, reproducing only by seeds. The stems which are greenish-purple in colour, are typical round hollow grass stems, 1-2 ft. tall with swollen nodes and exist as a bunch grass from a mass of fibrous roots. The leaves are rough, greyish-green and predominantly ribbed. The flowers are dense, unbranched, nodding spikes, 5-12 cm long, with a "foxtail" of awns. At maturity the awns fade to straw colour or almost white. The seeds are a yellow caryopsis with very long awns, up to 7.5. This weed is a prolific seed producer. Seeds can be dispersed a great distance by wind.

Scouting Techniques

Take a minimum of 20 weed counts across the field. Scout frequently after periods of high temperatures because this weed thrives under those conditions. Also scout saline areas, foxtail barley is resiliant to high salinity. A particular problem in reduced tillage and direct seeding systems.

Effects On Crop Quality

This weed, because it harbors wheat rust and blackstem rust, can indirectly affect the development of field crops.

Control Tips

  • cut for hay before seed forms
  • seed pasture with competitive grass
  • early spring grazing causes a set back
  • control water level in low lying areas to prevent salinity increase
  • Group 3 (Kerb 50-w), Group 22 (Gramoxone)