Weed control spectrum and turfgrass tolerance to bioherbicide Phoma macrostoma

Abstract

Phoma macrostoma is a bioherbicide being developed for selective weed control in turfgrass. The previous research with this product is limited to cool-season turfgrass systems with little information available on appropriate application rates or weed control spectrum for weeds common to warm-season turf. Studies were conducted to evaluate application rates and weed control spectrum of P. macrostoma on common dandelion (Taraxacum officinale G.H. Weber ex Wigg.), slender aster (Aster subulatus var. ligulatus Shinners), common mallow (Malva neglecta Wallr.), common purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.), California burclover (Medicago polymorpha L.), and annual sow thistle (Sonchus oleraceus L.). Although most weeds exhibited susceptibility to P. macrostoma, control differed by weed species and study. P. macrostoma had the greatest efficacy on dandelion, but provided little efficacy on common purslane and common mallow. Warm-season turfgrass tolerance was also evaluated across five commonly used warm-season turfgrass species. No turfgrass injury was observed at any rate on any species; however, weed control data suggest that P. macrostoma may not offer effective broad-spectrum weed control similar to common synthetic herbicides, when applied at the rates used in this study.