WERA077: Managing Invasive Weeds in Wheat Statement of Issues
and JustificationIn the United States invasive, alien plant
infestations may cover over 100 million acres of land and spread
rapidly each year. Impacts to U.S. agricultural production are
enormous. Invasive weeds currently infest more than 20 million
acres of winter wheat in the western U.S, costing producers over
$500 million in yield losses annually. Dense infestations of
weeds may result in complete crop failure while lower
populations decrease yield, increase dockage, and decrease
harvesting efficiency. Downy brome (Bromus tectorum) and jointed
goatgrass (Aegilops cylindrica) remain difficult to manage weeds
in many winter wheat production regions. In addition, feral rye
(Secale cereale), ryegrass species (Lolium spp.), cheat (Bromus
secalinus) and rip gut brome (Bromus diandrus) among other grass
species threaten the economic viability of winter wheat
production. A thorough understanding of weed biology, ecology,
and genetics is required to de