Biology and control of Phalaris minor Retz. (littleseed canarygrass) in wheat

Phalaris minor Retz. (littleseed canarygrass) is an important winter season weed of several crops across many continents. P. minor is a prolific and competitive weed especially in wheat crops. This review considers its distribution, biology and agro-ecology. Special importance is attached to considering the value and limitations of cultural and chemical control methods together with a crop management blueprint. While the use of selective herbicides is critical to maintain economic returns of wheat production, there are issues associated with their continuous use. Undoubtedly the development of herbicide-resistant biotypes of P. minor is an epidemic in India of economic, cultural and scientific importance. Consideration is given to the nature of the resistance problem and management approaches designated to minimise the impact of resistance and perhaps avoid further spread of the epidemic. Future research strategies are discussed to address the nature of this important grass weed problem. These include the importance of agronomic and physiological research to understand the basis of weed behaviour.