Use of Quinclorac for Large Crabgrass (Digitaria sanguinalis) Control in Newly Summer-Seeded Creeping Bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera)

Abstract

Field trials were conducted in 2000 and 2001 in New Jersey to evaluate quinclorac and siduron for large crabgrass control in summer-seeded creeping bentgrass (‘L-93’). Bentgrass was surface seeded on June 30 and June 26 in 2000 and 2001, respectively. Treatments consisted of preemergence (PRE) applications of siduron at 3.4, 5.0, and 6.7 kg ai/ha and PRE and postemergence (POST) applications of quinclorac at 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, and 1.7 kg ai/ha. POST applications were timed to a crabgrass growth stage of three leaves to one tiller. All POST quinclorac applications included methylated seed oil at 1% (v/v). Percent crabgrass cover in untreated plots at 30 d after planting (DAP) averaged 10 and 50% in 2000 and 2001, respectively. All PRE treatments, with the exception of quinclorac applied at 0.4 kg/ha in 2001, reduced crabgrass cover by 80% or more at 30 DAP. Crabgrass control decreased in late August when siduron and quinclorac were applied at the lower rates in 2001. PRE quinclorac applications at the rate of 0.6 kg/ha or higher in 2000 or 1.7 kg/ha in 2001 caused significant thinning of the bentgrass stand at 30 DAP. All POST quinclorac treatments provided excellent crabgrass control in 2000, but the 0.8-kg/ha or higher rate was required to reduce crabgrass infestation levels by at least 80% in 2001. All POST quinclorac applications caused significant chlorosis to the creeping bentgrass in both years. However, significant thinning of the bentgrass stand was not evident, with the exception of 1.7 kg/ha, in 2001. These studies suggest that PRE applications of siduron should be used for the highest level of creeping bentgrass safety in summer restoration projects. The use of quinclorac should be limited to POST applications to control escaped crabgrass once the newly emerging creeping bentgrass has become well established.