Ongoing ryegrass-control research in wheat plots visited by Northeast Texas producers

By LYNN MONTGOMERY | East Texas Edition

June 5, 2003 -- Wheat producers often battle ryegrass in their crop, but researchers in Northeast Texas shared their findings on effective control methods during a recent field day in Fairlie, near Commerce.

Ongoing studies on test plots in Fairlie show applications of Hoelon herbicide is successful at controlling ryegrass and yet does not harm the wheat crop.

Specifically, ribeye ryegrass is somewhat tolerant (meaning the ryegrass will die and Hoelon is doing its job) of normal application rates of 1 1/3 pints per acre of Hoelon, according to Rick Maxwell, Fannin County Extension agent and one of the field day sponsors.

As part of Maxwell's master's degree studies, the agent is researching the effects of herbicide on ryegrass after using different application rates (1 1/3, 2, 2 2/3 pints per acre) in the individual plots.

The ideal for the research as part of Maxwell's master's thesis was suggested by Dr. David Kee, Extension agronomy specialist and agricultural sciences assistant professor at Texas A&M University-Commerce.

"Dr. Kee said something about herbicide research, and since I have lots of people in my county who play a dual role of wheat producer and cow/calf operator," Maxwell said, "I decided to do it.

"Basically, I am trying to find a happy medium where the two can co-exist," he added.

Kee explained producers can be faced with the problem of wanting ryegrass in winter pastures, but not in a wheat field that might be close by.

Ryegrass is the number one winter pasture in Northeast Texas and also the number one weed in wheat, according to literature from the Extension office.

"Ryegrass is not only a major weed, but a major crop," Kee told the attendees at the May 13 field tour.

Maxwell said a 10 percent increase of ryegrass infestation in a wheat crop will amount to about a 30 percent decrease of the grain, which is not what wheat producers want to see.

The agent said in the main research plot, three varieties of ryegrass used were Local (voluntary, wild), Marshall, and Ribeye with the different control applications of herbicide.

In the second plot, 14 ryegrass varieties were used, with the plots being rated for ryegrass control and crop damage at 28, 56, and 84 days after application.

"Overall, we are seeing newer introduced varieties showing a tolerance to Hoelon. Timing is a factor, as is spraying after the crop in up and growing," the agent continued.

Maxwell stated that out of the 14, five varieties seem to be showing intolerance (meaning Hoelon doesn't kill the ryegrass), but he was hesitant to name the five until after the wheat is harvested.

The agent was concerned that yields from the harvest could be affected by the lack of rainfall and/or too much ryegrass.

Maxwell added the research at the Cooperative Research Project site would be ongoing, but as soon as the wheat is harvested, more information on the current study would be released to producers.

"We should have results sometime between the middle of July and the first of August," Maxwell said.

The main thing, according to Maxwell, is farmers have to make a judgment call on whether to spray.

"Are they getting more control because of the rate increase and does it justify for them to increase - should be questions farmers ask themselves," Maxwell cited.