Bermudagrass Reseeding Intervals for Rimsulfuron, Simazine, and Sulfosulfuron

Abstract

Turf managers may wish to reseed common bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] following weed control with rimsulfuron, simazine, or sulfosulfuron applications, but establishment may be affected by herbicide residual activity. Field experiments were conducted in Georgia to investigate bermudagrass reseeding intervals for these herbicides. Application timing before seeding reduced bermudagrass establishment more than herbicide rate. By four weeks after seeding, bermudagrass cover was 15%, 53%, 81%, and 90% of the untreated from herbicides applied zero, two, four, or six weeks before seeding, respectively. Simazine at 2.24 kg a.i./ha reduced bermudagrass cover more frequently than sulfosulfuron at 0.035 and 0.07 kg a.i./ha and rimsulfuron at 0.02 kg a.i./ha. Results suggest that common bermudagrass may be safely reseeded four to six weeks after rimsulfuron, simazine, or sulfosulfuron treatments, but applications made closer to the seeding date have the potential to significantly delay establishment.