Infestation

• Quack grass rapidly spreads through its rhizome root system. Screening topsoil removes any rhizome parts before planting turf grass. Quack grass also spreads by seed production. Its rapid, aggressive growth invades croplands and poses economic losses for farmers. Organic farming often faces the difficult task of removing and controlling quack grass without using herbicides. Quack grass is a problem in 65 countries where it infests 37 crops, according to the University of Minnesota's website.
  
  

Lawns

• During the winter months, quack grass dies down to the ground and remains hidden until spring. Once spring arrives, it sends up shoots. Quack grass has a bluish-green appearance standing out in contrast against the lawn grass. Control in lawn grass is difficult because no selective herbicides manage to control quack grass. Only nonselective herbicides work on quack grass, which makes management in a lawn difficult. Consider digging out the quack grass or spot applying a nonselective herbicide to the weed.
  
  

Toxin Production

• A non-native grass, quack grass probably traveled in alfalfa seed imported from the Mediterranean region during the 1600s, according to the University of Maine's website. The weedy grass easily spread and quickly overtook numerous native plant species. It produces a toxic substance, known as a phytotoxin, which inhibits the growth of other grasses or plants around it. Alfalfa has a strong reaction to the toxin. Even decomposing quack grass releases the toxin into the surrounding region, which makes control difficult. Its rapid growth in spring out competes warm-season plant varieties for nutrients and water.
  
  

Control

• Controlling quack grass is difficult. Keeping fields near croplands closely mowed prevents quack grass from producing seeds. Rinsing mowing and cultivation equipment removes any seeds adhering to the equipment. Continued mowing of quack grass reduces its sugar production, weakening the plant in time. Allowing livestock to forage on quack grass weakens the plant and diminishes its occurrence. Herbicide applications should take place in the spring and fall months. Prescribed burning helps control the weed.