Herbicides, Sprigging Rates, and Nitrogen Treatments for Establishment of Tifway Bermudagrass1

Abstract

AbstractThis study was conducted to determine the best system for controlling weeds during the establishment of ‘Tifway’ bermudagrass (Cynodon sp.) without causing injury to the turfgrass. Sprigging rates did not significantly affect the turf ground cover after a 5 to 6‐month growing season. However, for a shorter growing season, the rate of establishment was increased with the higher rate (2.0 vs 0.5 or 1.0 m2/are) of sprigging. Nitrogen (490 g/are) applied at biweekly (eight applications) or monthly (four applications) intervals significantly increased turf ground cover and turf appearance as compared with turf not receiving N. Treatments of dimethyl tetrachloroterephthalate (DCPA) retarded early growth of Tifway bermudagrass. The plants had overcome this growth retardation by 11 weeks following sprigging. Postemergence treatments of monosodium methanearsonate + 2,4‐dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (MSMA + 2,4‐D) were nonphytotoxic to the turfgrass. Sequential treatments of DCPA followed with MSMA + 2,4‐D resulted in excellent season long weed control and the plots had 86% ground cover of turf at the end of the growing season. The turf ground cover was only 36% in plots not treated with any herbicide and 68% in plots treated with DCPA. Repeated postemergence treatments of MSMA + 2,4‐D resulted in good to excellent weed control and these plots had 91 to 96% turfgrass ground cover.