Quackgrass (Elytrigia repens formly Agropyron repens) (couchgrass)

Quackgrass is a noxious perennial cool season grass that is primarily found in the northern half of Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio along with states north of this line.  Quackgrass spreads mainly by seeds or long, slender, branching rhizomes. Control of quackgrass is a challenge on organic and sustainable farms where use of systemic herbicides is restricted. Limited research has been conducted on cultural and biological control of quackgrass.

The following links provide a foundation for identifying and managing quackgrass in sustainable and organic systems.



Basic Information

Integrated Taxonomic Information
Taxonomic, nomenclature, and hierarchy facts.

Virginia Tech Weed Identification Guide
Good pictures and identification keys

Ohio Perennial and Biennial Weed Guide
Distribution, description, biology, and toxicity

Illinois Wildflowers
Illinois specific website with description, range and habitat, and differences from related species

Wisconsin Botanical Information System
Wisconsin specific website with distribution and identification information

Control and management information



General

UC-Davis for Nature Conservancy
An extensive summary of strategies for control on Nature Conservancy lands



Specific to Organic Farming Systems

Canadian Organic Agriculture Research Centre
Excellent article (18 pages) includes fallow, tillage, cover crops, mulching, mowing

University of Maine
Excellent short article, tillage, mowing, cover crops, competitive crops

Danish Research Centre for Organic Farming
Couch-grass (quackgrass) control combining a tilled summer fallow and cover crops

Control strategies with emphasis on herbicides

Penn State University
Good drawing, prevention, cultural control, tillage, mostly herbicides

Iowa State University
Prevention, tillage, herbicides



Mechanical uprooter and collector

CMN Maskintec A/S
Danish Company manufacturing a mechanical couch grass (quackgrass) killer.
Brochure with technical information



US Federal Government Resources

USDA National Invasive Species Information Center
This site has a good list of links to Federal, State, and University resources on quackgrass.

USDA NRCS
Identification and basic ecological information. Includes photos, drawings, distribution map, and many links.