Invasive Species Council of Manitoba: Japanese Brome

Japanese Brome

Japanese Brome (Bromus japonicus)

Japanese Brome is less abundant than Downy Brome, but it is also a potential problem weed. It is very difficult to distinguish the two Bromes in the seedling stage, but Japanese Brome tends to grow in wetter sites than Downy Brome.

Both species are very shallow-rooted compared to cereal crops and once the heading stage is reached the species are easily separated.

Downy Brome has an open drooping panicle with long straight awns attached to the seed. Japanese Brome has a panicle with the spikelets borne at the ends of long branches. Japanese Brome seed is somewhat shorter than Downy Brome seed and has a twisted awn. Downy Brome seed is a reddish colour at maturity while Japanese Brome is tan in colour.

Downy and Japanese Brome are both winter annuals which typically germinate in the fall in response to rain, but if fall moisture is not adequate they can act as spring annuals. Most Downy Brome seed is present in trash or on the soil surface. Accumulation of trash on the soil surface favours germination and establishment of Downy Brome. Thus continuous cropping and zero or minimum tillage production systems provide ideal conditions for the germination and emergence of Downy Brome. In fields with heavy trash cover Downy Brome readily germinates within the trash and on the soil surface and quickly emerges.

Resources

2011 Rural Municipality Distribution Map

2010 Rural Municipality Distribution Map

Japanese Brome MWSAÂ 2009 Survey Map

Alberta Invasive Plant Council Fact Sheet

This information provided courtesy of the Government of Saskatchewan.

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Invasive Species Council of Manitoba

Japanese Brome

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