Intraspecific and interspecific interference effects on growth, gas exchange, and water potential of wild oat and spring barley were measured under greenhouse conditions using a 1:1.06 barley to wild oat replacement series. Intraspecific barley interference affected barley growth more than interspecific wild oat interference. Interspecific wild oat interference with barley reduced wild oat growth more than intraspecific interference. Wild oat plant height surpassed barley plant height near barley anthesis. Growth and gas exchange of barley and wild oat responded the same to short-term water stress.