Common Sowthistle [Sonchus oleraceus]

About the pest

Description

It is a branched and upright annual dicotyledon, 30 - 120cm tall, sometimes tinged with red or purple. The yellow flowers are flask-shaped and grow in loose clusters.

Key features

Plant: The leaves are glossy and softly prickly with a wide triangular lobe at the tip, clasping the stem.

Biology

Smooth sow-thistle is increasing in arable rotations, particularly in winter crops. Autumn-germinating plants can overwinter as rosettes and flower in May; spring-germinating plants flower in June.

Symptoms & Diagnosis

Life Cycle

Seed longevity: >5 years
Germination depth: 2 cm
Seed weight: 0.22 mg
Seeds/head: 100
Seed’s/plant: Up to 100000

Treatment

Management

In row crops, hoeing is an alternative to herbicide use. Control in uncropped land to reduce seed return. Smooth sow-thistle does not persist in grassy rotations. There is a wide range of herbicides available for control in cereal crops.