Sandbur, Long-Spined
(Cenchrus longispinus Hack.)

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Table of Contents

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

History

A member of the grass family and a native species. As the name implies, this grass species is found predominately on sandy soils.

Life Cycle

Annual, reproducing only by seed.

Distinguishing Characteristics

Once long-spined sandbur is in flower (or headed) it cannot be confused with any other annual grass as there is a group of sharp, spiny burs at the end of each stem. At the seedling stage, this weed could be confused with one of the foxtails since it has a hairy ligule. However, its leaf sheath is split with membraneous margins, a characteristic that distinguishes it from the foxtail species. One trick to identifying sandbur seedlings is to dig around, or dig up the emerged seedlings. If the population is in fact long-spined sandbur you will more than likely see a number of burs either in the soil, or at the base of the seedling.

Long-Spined Sandbur Pictures
Each thumbnail image links to a larger image

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Herbicide Control in Field Corn

Pre-emergent Control

None of the pre-emergent herbicides tested provided over 80% control of long-spined sandbur (Table 1). Post-emergent grass herbicides (i.e. AccentT, Option 35DF and Ultim) are more effective at controlling sandbur in field corn.

Table 1. Visual control of long-spined sandbur usuing various pre-emergent herbicides.

Active Ingredient	Trade Name (product rate/acre)	% Control
isoxaflutole+atrazine	Converge	73
s-metolachlor/benoxacor/atrazine	Primextra II Magnum	70
pendimethalin	Prowl	64
s-metolachlor/benoxacor	Dual II Magnum	57
dimethanamid	Frontier	57
flufenacet/metribuzin	Axiom	51

 

Post Emergent Control

The post-emergent grass herbicides will provide over 80% visual control of long-spined sandbur (Table 2). Alternatively, several of the "one pass" post-emergent herbicide programs in corn provide effective control of long-spined sandbur (Table 3).

Table 2. Control of long-spined sandbur in field corn using various post-emergent herbicides.

Active Ingredient	Trade Name (application timing)	% Control
foramsulfuron	Option 35DF	91
nicosulfuron/rimsulfuron	Ultim	90, See Fig. 1
nicosulfuron	Accent	84

 

Table 3. Visual control of long-spined sandbur with "one-pass" post-emergent herbcide programs in corn.

Active Ingredient	Trade Name	% Control
pendimethalin + nicosulfuron + dicamba	Prowl + Accent + Banvel II	95
rimsulfuron + s-metolachlor/benoxacor + dicamba	Battalion	90
nicosulfuron/rimsulfuron + diflufenzopyr/dicamba	Ultim Total	88

• Source: Dr. Peter Sikkema, Ridgetown College, University of Guelph.
• Number of Trials: Table 1 is based on a summary of 4 field trials in Ontario. Table 2 is based on a summary of 6 field trials in Ontario. Table 3 is based on a summary of 2 field trials in Ontario.
• Herbicide Rates: Rates used in this trial are listed in OMAFRA Publication 75 - Guide to Weed Control.
• Weed Stage: Long-spined sandbur had not yet emerged for the pre-emergent applications and was at the 2 to 6 leaf stage at the time of all post-emergent applications.

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.

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Herbicide Control in Soybeans

Pre-emergent Control

None of the pre-emergent herbicides tested provided over 80% control of long-spined sandbur (Table1). Post-emergent grass herbicides (i.e.Assure II, Venture L, Excel Super) are more effective at controlling sandbur in soybean.

Table 1. Visual control of long-spined sandbur usuing various pre-emergent herbicides.

Active Ingredient	Trade Name (product rate/acre)	% Control
imazethapyr	Pursuit	70
flufenacet/metribuzin	Axiom	23
s-metolachlor/benoxacor	Dual II Magnum	13
dimethanamid	Frontier	13

Post Emergent Control

Assure II, Venture L and Excel Super should provide over 80% visual control of long-spined sandbur (Table 2). Alternatively, broadspectrum herbicides like Pursuit and Cleansweep should provide effective control of long-spined sandbur when applied "post" (Table 3). Although not tested, glyphosate should provide effective control of long-spined sandbur in "Roundup Ready" soybeans.

Table 2. Control of long-spined sandbur in soybean using various post-emergent herbicides.

Active Ingredient	Trade Name (application timing)	% Control
quizalofop-p-ethyl	Assure II	90
fenoxaprop-p-ethyl	Excel Super	85
fluazifop-p-butyl	Venture L	81
sethoxydim	Poast Ultra	76
clethodim	Select	71

Table 3. Visual control of long-spined sandbur with PURSUIT and CLEANSWEEP in soybean.

Active Ingredient	Trade Name	% Control
imazethapyr	Pursuit	94 See Fig. 2
imazethapyr + bentazon	Cleansweep	86

• Source: Dr. Peter Sikkema, Ridgetown College, University of Guelph.
• Number of Trials: Table 1 is based on a summary of 1 field trial in Ontario. Table 2 is based on a summary of 5 field trials in Ontario. Table 3 is based on a summary of 2 field trials in Ontario.
• Herbicide Rates: Rates used in this trial are listed in OMAFRA Publication 75 - Guide to Weed Control.
• Weed Stage: Long-spined sandbur had not yet emerged for the pre-emergent applications and was at the 2 to 6 leaf stage at the time of all post-emergent applications.

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.

 

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Herbicide Control in Winter Wheat

No field trials have evaluated long-spined sandbur control in winter wheat.

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.

 

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Related links

• Weeds in Ontario : Long-spined sandbur
• Publication 75, Guide to Weed Control: Corn, Field and Sweet
• Publication 75, Guide tp Weed Control : Soybeans
• Publication 75, Guide to Weed Control : Cereals

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