Flixweed (Descurainia sophia L.)

Return to Problem Weed Index Page

Table of Contents

1. Life Cycle
2. Distinguishing Characteristics
3. Control in Corn
4. Control in Soybeans
5. Control in Winter Wheat

Life Cycle

Annual, winter annual or biennial, reproducing only by seed.

Distinguishing Characteristics

Gray-green colour, finely divided leaves, erect seed pods on very slender stalks and a very distinctive, musty odour. For more information refer to Page 96 in OMAF Publication 505 - Ontario Weeds.

Flixweed Pictures
Each thumbnail image links to a larger image

Herbicide Control in Field Corn

Pre or Post Emergent Control

No field studies have been conducted on field corn in Ontario. Trials conducted on winter wheat showed poor control of flixweed with dicamba (BANVEL II) and bromoxynil (PARDNER), therefore one could assume that those two products would not provide adequate control in corn.

Field observations have shown that the active ingredient rimsulfuron (i.e. BATALLION, ULTIM) provides good control of flixweed in corn. Blackshaw et al. has observed control of flixweed in potato with rimsulfuron.

Glyphosate is effective on flixweed and would be an option if growing "Roundup Ready" corn hybrids. Tillage operations with either a cultivator, disc or chisel plow will generally only control about 50-60% of the flixweed population.

References:

Blackshaw, R.E., Lynch, D.R. and T. Entz. 1995. Postemergence broadleaf weed control in potato with rimsulfuron and HOE-075032. Weed Technology. Vol 9-2. pp. 228-235.

What has been your experience?
We want your feedback. Let us know what you have experienced with these or other products, as well as any other effective management strategies.

| Top of Page |

Herbicide Control in Soybeans

Pre-Plant Control

Currently no field trials have been conducted on flixweed control in Ontario. Pre-Plant applications are effective on flixweed and should provide season long control of this weed in soybean provided the crop canopies quickly.

Post Emergent Control

Field studies in winter wheat have shown that thifensulfuron-methyl/tribenuron-methyl (REFINE EXTRA) will provide good control of flixweed. Therefore the active ingredient thifensulfuron-methyl (PINNACLE) may have activity on flixweed that emerged after a pre-plant glyphosate application, however their is no evidence to support this hypothesis.

What has been your experience?
We want your feedback. Let us know what you have experienced with these or other products, as well as any other effective management strategies.

| Top of Page |

Herbicide Control in Winter Wheat

Post Emergent Control

Estaprop, Turboprop or Dichlorprop-D, MCPA Amine and Refine Extra all provided adequate control of flixweed. Buctril M, Badge or Mextrol,provided enough supression to reduce seed production and improve harvesting efficiency. Late applications of Estaprop, turboprop or Dichlorprop-D can cause unacceptable levels of crop injury and therefore should be applied before the late tillering or 1st node stage of winter wheat.

Source:

Dr. François Tardif, University of Guelph.

Number of Trials:

Tables 1 is based on a summary of 1 field trial.

Herbicide Rates:
Rates used in this trial are listed in OMAF Publication 75 - Guide to Weed Control.

Weed Stage:
Flixweed was at 15 in height at the time of application.

What has been your experience?
We want your feedback. Let us know what you have experienced with these or other products, as well as any other effective management strategies.