Mark VanGessel, Extension Weed Specialist; mjv@udel.edu
Small grains are larger than usual this time of year, which complicates decisions for weed management. Wheat can be a very competitive crop and so you need to determine whether there is a need to apply a herbicide.
- Is the weed density sufficient to reduce yield? A few scattered weeds will not reduce yields or weeds much smaller than the wheat crop may not grow fast enough to compete with wheat.
- Can you achieve adequate spray coverage of the weeds with the amount of wheat growth present?
- Has wheat started to joint or reach a stage that limits application timing?
- Are weeds still small and at a susceptible stage?
Fields need to be assessed on an individual basis to determine the need for a spring herbicide application.