Cocksfoot [Dactylis glomerata]

Pest Profile

About the pest

It is a large, densely tufted, perennial grass of coarse appearance, 30cm to 1.2m tall. There are many strains, with differing growth habits. The broad leaf blades have a prominent ridge on the undersides and are often bluish-green in colour. The flowerheads are often triangular and appear densely packed.

Key features

Plant: The stems are flattened, especially at the base.

Biology

Cock’s-foot is sown as an agricultural grass and may be present in arable fields after ploughing. It remains green all winter. It mainly reproduces by seed which can persist from 2 to 3 years on the soil surface. Seed set is high and the fruit fairly mobile.

Symptoms & Diagnosis

Life Cycle

Seed longevity: 1 - 5 years

Seed weight: 2 mg

Seeds/head: 100

Management

Although it is often found in first-year cereals after grass, it seldom persists in routinely cultivated soils. It is best controlled at the time of grass destruction or in fallow.