General Biology. Growth form. Grass. Life
form. Annual, caespitose. Reproduction. Seed. Dispersal.
Mammals, agricultural machinery, possibly wind (local disperal only).
Photosynthetic Pathway. C3. Seedbank persistence. 6 months to
6 years, shorter if not buried. Fire response. Mature plants likely
killed, but post-fire conditions favour seed germination and growth.
Notes. Highly competitive, matures rapidly and sheds seed
early. Produces prolific seed. Approximately 40% of the seedbank germinates
after opening rains and a further 30% later in the season, with germination
continuing until the end of spring. Seeds have a large germination window and
will germinate in temperatures of 10-26.5 degrees celsius. Self-pollinated with
some out-crossing. Most seeds fall within 1-2 metres of the parent plant. Seeds
have a hygroscopic awn, with varied dormancy depending on burial depth. Has
staggered germination. Smoke can stimulate seedling emergence. Persistence is
longer in undisturbed soil and deeper burial favours longer dormancy. Dead
material is reported to be allelopathic. Has recorded widespread herbicide
resistance.
Additional information. Origin.
Mediterranean/North Africa, Eurasia, Europe. History of use/introduction.
Contaminant of grain. Similar exotic species. Avena
barbata.
Suggested method of management and control. Spray at 3-5
leaf stage with Fusilade® Forte at 16 ml/10 L + wetting agent or for generic
fluazifop-p (212g/L active ingredient) 10ml/10L or 500ml/ha + wetting agent.
Repeat treatment over following 2 years. Prevent seed production and seedbank
inputs each year. In small infestations hand removal may be feasible. Read the
manufacturers' labels and material safety data sheets before using herbicides.
For further information consult the Australian Pesticides and
Veterinary Medicines Authority to determine the status of permits for your
situation or state.
Management Calendar
Calendar Type |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
Comments |
Active Growth |
|
|
|
|
|
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
|
|
Germination |
|
|
|
|
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
|
|
Flowering |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Y |
Y |
|
|
|
Fruiting |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Y |
Y |
Y |
|
Optimum Treatment |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
O |
Y |
Y |
O |
|
3-5 leaf stage |
Legend: Y = Yes, regularly,
O = Occasionally, U =
Uncertain, referred by others but not confirmed.
References
- Barraso, J., Navarrete, L., Sanchez del Arco, M.J., Fernandez-Quintanilla,
C., Lutman, P.J.W., Perry, N. & Hull, R.I. (2006) Dispersal of Avena
fatua and Avena sterilis patches by natural dissemination, soil
tillage and combine harvesters. Weed Research, 46 (2):
118-128 Blackwell Publishing.
- Baskin, C.C. & Baskin, J.M. (1998) Ecology of seed dormancy and
germination in grasses. In Population biology of grasses (ed. G.P.
Cheplick) . Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK.
- Bond, W., Davies, G. & Turner, R. (2007) The biology and
non-chemical control of Wild-oat (Avena fatua L.). Organic Weed
Management Project, UK. URL: http://www.gardenorganic.org.uk/organicweeds
- Accessed August 2009.
- Brown, K. & Brooks, K. (2002) Bushland Weeds: A Practical Guide to
their Management. Environmental Weeds Action Network, Greenwood.
- Carr, G.W., Yugovic, J.V. & Robinson, K.E. (1992) Environmental weed
invasions in Victoria. Department of Conservation and Environment,
Melbourne.
- HEAR.org (2009) Global Compendium of Weeds Avena fatua
(Poaceae). URL: http://www.hear.org/gcw/species/avena_fatua/
- Accessed August 2009.
- Hobbs, R.J., Arnold, G.W. & Leone, J. (1993) Weed control and
rehabilitation. CSIRO Division of Wildlife and Ecology, Midland. Final
report to World Wide Fund for Nature for Project P146.
- Hussey, B.M.J., Keighery, G.J., Dodd, J., Lloyd, S.G. & Cousens, R.D.
(2007) Western Weeds. A guide to the weeds of Western Australia. 2nd
Edition. The Plant Protection Society of Western Australia, Victoria Park.
- Kropac, Z., Havranek, T. & Dobry, J. (1986) Effect of duration and depth
of burial on seed survival of Avena fatua in arable soil. Folia
Geobotanica & Phtyotaxonomica, 21 (3): 249-262.
- Moore, C.B. & Moore, J.H. (2002) Herbiguide, the pesticide expert on
a disk. Herbiguide, PO Box 44 Albany, Western Australia, 6330.
- Moore, J.H. & Wheeler, J. (2008) Southern weeds and their
control. DAFWA Bulletin 4744.
- Murrimbidgeee CMA (2008) Best management practices for dryland cropping
systems - Wild Oats (Avena spp.). Australian Government, NSW DPI,
Murrumbidgee CMA URL: http://www.murrumbidgee.cma.nsw.gov.au.
- Nugent, T., Storrie, A. & Medd, R. (1999) Managing Wild Oat
(Avena spp). Grains Research and Development Corporation and CRC
for Weed Management Systems.
- Stevens, J.C., Merrit, D.J., Flematti, G.R., Ghisalberti, E.L. & Dixon,
K.W. (2007) Seed germination of agricultural weeds is promoted by the butenolide
3-methyl-2H-furo(2,3-cpyran-2-one) under laboratory and field
conditions. Plant Soil, 298: 113-124.
- Tinin, R.O. & Muller, C.H. (1971) The allelopathic potential of
Avena fatua: influence on herb distribution. Bulletin of the Torrey
Botanical Club, 98 (5): 243-250.
- United States Department of Agriculture (2001) The Plants Database, Version
3.1. URL: http://plants.usda.gov - Accessed
December 2007. National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70874-4490 USA.