Transition From Overseeded Cool-Season Grass to Warm-Season Grass with Pronamide

Abstract

Field experiments were conducted for 2 yr on pronamide [3,5-dichloro-N-(1,1-dimethyl-2-propynyl)benzamide] treatments in the Piedmont region of Georgia to aid the transition of overseeded cool-season turf to warm-season turf in early spring. Pronamide applied to overseeded perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenneL. ‘Game’ and ‘Manhattan’) gradually reduced the growth of perennial ryegrass and permitted bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon(L.) Pers. ‘Tifdwarf’] to initiate spring growth with little competition. Total turfgrass cover and turf quality ratings in pronamide treated plots were lower than ratings for untreated plots during the transition period. However, the reduction in turf quality and stand was minimal when pronamide was applied March 20 at 0.8 kg/ha. The turf quality and stand was 76 and 88% of the untreated check on April 23 and May 9, respectively, but the turf fully recovered within 2 weeks. The turf quality was higher in plots treated with pronamide on March 20 than in untreated check throughout June. The optimum date of promanide treatment in the Piedmont Region for transition of cool-season grass to warm-season grass was March 20, when compared to applications made on February 28, April 9, or April 29.