Common name:
Barren brome
Latin name:
Anisantha (previously Bromus) sterilis
Sterile brome
Ligule:
Auricles:
Leaf blade:
Green but purple later. Flat, limp and finely pointed. Surface is rough with short hairs. Rolled in bud.
Description:
Annual or biennial grass 30–90 cm. Tufted or solitary grass, green but reddish purple when mature. Heavy drooping panicle of spikelets 4–6 cm including awns, bearing 4–10 flowers. Up to 2,000 seeds per plant.
Importance:
An increasing problem throughout British Isles on arable land, especially in continuous cereals. A problem on headlands but can spread out into the field. Causes yield loss and lodging.
The name barren (or poverty) brome derives from the production of very few leaves of poor nutritional value to animals.
Lifecycle:
Seeds germinate in the autumn though under certain conditions some will germinate in the spring. Dry conditions and low temperatures will inhibit germination.
Management:
Seeds left on the soil surface will germinate with ease providing there is sufficient moisture and warmth which leads to significant problems in reduced tillage cultivation systems.
The use of stale seedbeds prior to drilling is considered essential in reduced cultivation systems. Burying the seed to a depth of at least 10 cm will reduce germination.