Downy brome (Bromus tectorum), jointed goatgrass (Aegilops cylindrica) and horseweed (Conyza canadensis) control in fallow

Jointed goatgrass, downy brome, and horseweed are increasingly troublesome winter annual weeds during fallow periods in conservation-tillage systems in the southern Great Plains. These experiments determined the optimum weed size, vigor, and minimum herbicide rate required for 95% or better control of these weeds on fallow land. Jointed goatgrass and downy brome were controlled best when plants were 10 cm or less tall and growing vigorously at time of treatment. Horseweed was controlled best when plants were 30 cm tall and growing vigorously. Based on local retail and application costs and assuming optimum conditions for control, the two most economical herbicide treatments that controlled each weed 95% or better were: jointed goatgrass, clethodim at 250 g ai/ha and glyphosate + 2,4-D at 249 + 479 g ae/ha; downy brome, quizalofop at 18 g ai/ha and glyphosate + 2,4-D at 582 + 950 g ae/ha; and horseweed, 2,4-D at 560 g ae/ha and metsulfuron at 5 g ai/ha.