THE BIOLOGY OF CANADIAN WEEDS.: 77. Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) Beauv.

Abstract

Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) Beauv., barnyard grass (pied-de-coq), is an annual grass and a cosmopolitan weed with a range from 50°N to 40°S latitude. In Canada, it extends up to 53°N latitude in the prairies and is widely distributed along roadsides and in cultivated fields of all provinces. The success of this weed may be attributed to the production of large numbers of small, easily dispersed seeds per plant, possession of seed dormancy, rapid development and ability to flower under a wide range of photoperiods, and relative resistance of mature plants to herbicide sprays. In this review a summary of biological information on E. crus-galli is presented.Key words: Barnyard grass, weed biology, Echinochloa crus-galli