Influence of Frequency and Dates of Plant Growth Regulator Applications to Centipedegrass on Seedhead Formation and Turf Quality

Abstract

Two separate experiments (one and two applications and dates of treatment) were conducted on plant growth regulator (PGR) injury and seedhead suppression of centipedegrass [Eremochloa ophiuroides (Munro) Hack.]. Mefluidide caused less injury to centipedegrass than either imazethapyr or flurprimidol + mefluidide. Mefluidide applied at 0.56 kg·ha-1 in each of two applications at 2-week intervals suppressed seedheads of centipedegrass for 10 weeks. A single 0.56-kg·ha-1 application of the mefluidide failed to suppress seedheads when applied any time from mid-June until late July. A single treatment with flurprimidol + mefluidide severely injured centipedegrass, and seedhead suppression was poor regardless of date of treatment. Centipedegrass was severely injured when flurprimidol + mefluidide was applied at 1.68 + 0.28 kg·ha-1 in each of two applications, but seedheads were suppressed for 10 weeks. Imazethapyr applied at 0.30 and followed by 0.15 kg·ha-1 suppressed seedheads 10 weeks after treatment in 1987 and 6 weeks after treatment in 1988 without reducing turf density. When this PGR was applied as a single treatment at 0.30 kg·ha-1, seedhead suppression was generally greater for 8 weeks when applied mid- to late July than mid- to late June. Chemical names used: N-[2,4-dimethyl-5-[[(trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl]amino]phenyl]acetamide (mefluidide); α -(1-methylethyl)- α -[4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl]-5-pyrimidinemethanol (flurprimidol); and (±)-2-[4,5-dihydro-4-methyl-4-(1-methylethyl)-5-oxo-1H-imidazol-2-yl]-5-ethyl-3-pyridinecarboxlic acid (imazethapyr).