Influence of Herbicides on Bermudagrass Greens Overseeded With Perennial Ryegrass

Abstract

Abstract Two field experiments were initiated to determine the effects of herbicides on turfgrass quality and spring to summer transition from overseeded perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) back to ‘Tifway’ bermudagrass [Cynodon transvaalensis Burtt-Davy × Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.]. Pendimethalin applied at 3.3 kg·ha−1 in early March hastened the transition from ryegrass to bermudagrass in one of two years, but 1.7 kg·ha−1 applied in each of two applications did not. A single application of pronamide at 0.28 kg·ha−1 hastened the transition of overseeded ryegrass to bermudagrass without severely injuring either turfgrass. Oryzalin, oryzalin + benefin, or paraquat severely reduced the quality of ryegrass, while oxadiazon at 3.3 kg·ha−1, oxadiazon + benefin, glyphosate, metribuzin, or MSMA did not affect transition from overseeded ryegrass to bermudagrass when compared with nontreated turfgrass. This study illustrates the potential for some herbicides to enhance the transition from perennial ryegrass to bermudagrass. Chemical names used: N-butyl-N-ethyl-2,6-dinitro-4-(trifluoromethyl)benzenamine (benefin); dimethyl 2,3,5,6-tetrachloro-1,4-benzenedicarboxylate (DCPA); (±)-2-ethoxy-2,3-dihydro-3,3-dimethyl-5-benzofuranyl methanesulfonate (ethofumesate); N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine (glyphosate); N-[2,4-dimethyl-5-[[(trifluoromethyl) sulfonyl]amino]phenyI]acetamide (mefluidide); 4-amino-6-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-3-(methylthiol)-1,2,4-triazin-5(4H)-one (metribuzin); monosodium salt of MAA (MSMA); 4-(dipropylamino)-3,5-dinitrobenzene-sulfonamide (oryzalin); 3-[2,4-dichloro-5-(1-methylethoxy)-phenyl)-5-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-(3H)-one-(oxadiazon); 1,1'-dimethyl-4,4'-bipyridinium salts (paraquat); N-(1-ethylpropyl)-3,4-dimethyl-2,6-dinitrobenzamine (pendimethalin); and 3,5-dichloro(N-1,1-dimethyl-2-propynyl)benamide (pronamide).