![](https://images.ctfassets.net/l2hapltrg3cz/6070SwUAv1F5ll44iA66jd/aa4d57ce9c7852f4b11a12d08cbbf568/black-grass-1-listing.jpg?fm=webp&w=1080&q=85)
Black-grass
Alopecurus myosuroides
Auricles
Absent.
Importance
Black-grass thrives on heavy land, particularly where drainage is poor. On light land it is a problem on wetter areas. About 80% of seeds germinates in the autumn. Hot, dry summers see strong early autumn-germination; cool wet autumns see increased dormancy and delayed germination. Increasingly a major problem throughout England and worsening through herbicide resistance.
Leaf blade
Bluish-green, short, flat and hairless. Usually rough with well-defined keel and usually rolled.
Ligule
![](https://images.ctfassets.net/l2hapltrg3cz/7bTsqTJcnDVoBNLXHbd6zg/8b72b28a2a74c347f88e1e0d275d25d6/black_grass_01.jpg?fm=webp&w=3840&q=85)
Medium: 2.5 mm. Blunt and finely serrated.
Description
Tall erect annual. Compact flower spike 3 - 13 cm; narrow and pointed, often tinted purple. Seedling leaf sheath often purple.
![](https://images.ctfassets.net/l2hapltrg3cz/60ADVDweY8uuUmLqhxOssx/44ebe04b2717922ece076a5b95c0a739/black_grass_03.jpg?fm=webp&w=1920&q=85)
![](https://images.ctfassets.net/l2hapltrg3cz/66jJmie1W3bQexu6lFovxc/fe035b1d17922ad67f021da3ec34d86c/black_grass_02.jpg?fm=webp&w=750&q=85)
Lifecycle:
About 80% of shed black-grass seed germinates in the autumn and consequently it is mainly a problem in winter crops. Under wet and saturated conditions, dormancy can remain unbroken until the spring when further germinations affect early sown spring crops.
The bulk of black-grass seed only survives in the soil for two years, serious infestations generally being associated with intensive winter cropping – winter wheat and barley and winter beans.
Management:
Controlling black-grass is a year-round task, requiring cultural and chemical controls.
Identify problem areas:
June and July are the best times to check black-grass populations and plan your control programme.
Black-grass plants are visible above the crop canopy, so you can take the time to note black-grass hotspots and count the number of plants per square metre. This, combined with testing seed for herbicide resistance gives you an idea of the extent of the black-grass problem and how to tackle it.
Immediate steps include patch spraying, hand-rogueing and harvest weed seed management. Looking further ahead, there is the opportunity to plan crop rotation, cultivation and establishment for the coming season.
For a more detailed blueprint on how to manage black-grass, read our detailed guide, Black-grass: The definitive Resource
![Black-grass ligule](https://images.ctfassets.net/l2hapltrg3cz/keLnHektw1qCCVquZoUyu/fdc9f8a153d58cb7bb29804647c07ace/black_grass_ligule-2.jpg?fm=webp&w=750&q=85)
Black-grass ligule
![Black-grass ligule](https://images.ctfassets.net/l2hapltrg3cz/6cJGyDjrVYztQktilE3TP2/3463600691f12d1e35a1cdeeb2760011/blackgrass-young.jpg?fm=webp&w=750&q=85)
Black-grass ligule
![Black-grass flower head. Photo © Nigel Cattlin/FLPA](https://images.ctfassets.net/l2hapltrg3cz/6ZB23oY3CjQYfAbtKgzucQ/378a31e7e930090a7d8817665d1b9a7c/blackgrass-mature.jpg?fm=webp&w=750&q=85)
Black-grass flower head. Photo © Nigel Cattlin/FLPA
![](https://images.ctfassets.net/l2hapltrg3cz/7D4I7Jpt4orz7gK3dIUFuz/8825639aee47a08900c4167d2842bded/black-grass-1-listing.jpg?fm=webp&w=1920&q=85)
Black grass © Blackthorn arable.
![](https://images.ctfassets.net/l2hapltrg3cz/3uT3eu1KlqHSkD75P6FZmt/e9acde35686c805b46a33102c52aed68/black-grass-2-detail.jpg?fm=webp&w=1920&q=85)
Black grass © Blackthorn arable.
![](https://images.ctfassets.net/l2hapltrg3cz/6bpQn8ysyKWefteTibZxCU/13431b134577a66960ab73cae5574d58/black-grass-3-detail.jpg?fm=webp&w=1920&q=85)
Black grass © Blackthorn arable.
![](https://images.ctfassets.net/l2hapltrg3cz/6SlFX0Hxl4AMw34Db6dnxs/7624f68e76c2bd48571b25f8f8d921ef/black-grass-4-detail.jpg?fm=webp&w=1920&q=85)
Black grass © Blackthorn arable.
![](https://images.ctfassets.net/l2hapltrg3cz/1h0qvud54Zy9GzLekPOd5R/677728ff5c36c4492f44e69e75b97e83/FieldMate_Promo_Mobile.jpg?fm=webp&w=3840&q=85)
![](https://images.ctfassets.net/l2hapltrg3cz/3CvKagUshwoSyxEDqRj52c/bd6e3be09e808d22cf4c4c324b6d4ac7/FieldMate_Promo_Desktop.jpg?fm=webp&w=3840&q=85)
![](https://images.ctfassets.net/l2hapltrg3cz/3CvKagUshwoSyxEDqRj52c/bd6e3be09e808d22cf4c4c324b6d4ac7/FieldMate_Promo_Desktop.jpg?fm=webp&w=3840&q=85)