Each female plant is capable of producing over 24,000 seeds, which may remain viable for up to 3 years.

Spreads mostly by seed, but root and stem fragments can establish.  As white cockle seed is similar in size and shape to clover and alfalfa seed, it is often a contaminant.

Integrated weed management (IWM) considers the overall management of a weed species with the objective of preventing the establishment of the weed from ever occurring, to prevent the spread or to minimize the impact.  IWM relies on the combination of a variety of methods such as chemical, biological, mechanical, and cultural controls as well as overall preventative measures.  Using IWM creates an opportunity to use herbicides more selectively, which reduces the impact on the environment as well as slow the development of weed resistance to herbicides.

Preventative – Use grass and legume seed that as a Certificate of Analysis declaring it free of white cockle seed.  Buy hay that is free of white cockle.

Competition – White cockle is a “sun-lover” and therefore, most crops seeded at high rates and vigorous forage stands compete well with white cockle seedlings.  Established white cockle is more competitive and not significantly reduced as a result of competition.

Fertility – The addition of fertilizer will enhance white cockle growth.  Fertility in combination with chemical control appears to have no effect (Erickson 2001).

Cultivation - Tillage deep enough to cut off roots below the crown and deposit the plant on the soil surface, allowing the plant to dry out, is required to control white cockle.  Surface tillage will control seedlings in summer fallow situations.

Mowing or Hand Picking – Mowing can be effective in preventing seed production, but white cockle can withstand annual mowing as the root will send up new shoots.  Hand picking will work for small infestations, but the entire root must be removed.