Quackgrass (Agropyron repens (L.) Beauv)

About Quackgrass:

Quackgrass is a perennial weed that reproduces by both seed and underground stems, also known as rhizomes. Quackgrass stems generally can grow to be as tall as 4 feet. Quackgrass has a thin stem and has flat smooth leaves. Quackgrass grows all over Ontario, and can be sustained in all soil types, which makes this weed even more dangerous.

Family: Grass Family (Gramineae)

Quackgrass Scouting and Prevention:

A good way to protect crops against Quackgrass is to take frequent weed counts of crops. Doing these random checks will allow you to notice if anything in the field begins to change, and will allow you to notice if this wee does appear in fields or surrounding areas. Quackgrass does however like to densely settle into concentrated areas.

Quackgrass Control:

Tilling has been known to help reduce reproduction of Quack grass because it pulls up the rhizomes that reproduce the weed underground. Pre and post harvest herbicides are essential to controlling the reproduction and growth of Quackgrass. Mowing on a regular basis has also been effective in some cases. Glysophate herbicides are effective in pre and post season, but pre-harvest herbicides are known to be the most effective.

Latin / Alternative Quackgrass Names:

• - Agropyron repens (L.) Beauv
• - AGGRE, chiendent
• - Couch grass
• - Quitch grass
• - Scutch grass
• - Twitch, Twitch grass
• - Chiendent rampant
• - Agropyron rampant
• - Elytrigia repens (L.)
• - Nevski
• - Elymus repens (L.) Gould

Additional Quackgrass Resources: