Annual Bluegrass Control Research Articles

Evaluation of Annual Bluegrass Control Programs for Bermudagrass Turf Overseeded with Perennial Ryegrass

Few herbicides are available that will selectively control annual bluegrass in a polyculture of bermudagrass overseeded with perennial ryegrass. Research was conducted to evaluate multifaceted annual bluegrass control programs in overseeded bermudagrass. Treatments included various combinations of four herbicides: foramsulfuron applied 2 wk prior to overseeding (WPO); ethofumesate and bispyribac-sodium (bispyribac) applied 12 or 12 followed by (fb) 15 wk after overseeding (WAO); and prodiamine applied 15 WAO to provide continued PRE annual bluegrass control. Foramsulfuron at 0.03 kg ha−1applied 2 WPO controlled annual bluegrass 63% 28 WAO. Foramsulfuron fb ethofumesate or bispyribac applied 12 or 12 fb 15 WAO improved control to 91% or greater. Ethofumesate or bispyribac applied with prodiamine at 1.1 kg ha−1at 15 WAO did not improve annual bluegrass control compared with ethofumesate or bispyribac treatments alone according to pairwise contrasts. Only bispyribac-containing treatments induced unacceptable perennial ryegrass injury. Bispyribac applied with prodiamine reduced perennial ryegrass cover greater than bispyribac alone according to pairwise contrast. These data indicate that ethofumesate or bispyribac applied sequentially 12 and 15 WPO can effectively control annual bluegrass in bermudagrass turf overseeded with perennial ryegrass.

Annual Bluegrass Control in Seedling Creeping Bentgrass with Bispyribac-sodium

Annual Bluegrass Control in Seedling Creeping Bentgrass with Bispyribac-sodium

Fall Applications of Mesotrione For Annual Bluegrass Control in Kentucky Bluegrass

Fall Applications of Mesotrione For Annual Bluegrass Control in Kentucky Bluegrass

Plant Growth Regulator Selection and Application Rate Influence Annual Bluegrass Control in Creeping Bentgrass Putting Greens

Plant Growth Regulator Selection and Application Rate Influence Annual Bluegrass Control in Creeping Bentgrass Putting Greens

Amicarbazone Efficacy on Annual Bluegrass and Safety on Cool-Season Turfgrasses

Amicarbazone has potential for selective annual bluegrass control in cool-season turfgrasses, but seasonal application timings may influence efficacy. To test this hypothesis, field experiments in New Jersey and Indiana investigated amicarbazone efficacy from fall or spring applications and growth chamber experiments investigated the influence of temperature on efficacy. Fall treatments were more injurious to creeping bentgrass and Kentucky bluegrass than spring applications, but fall applications were also more efficacious for annual bluegrass control. In growth chamber experiments, injury and clipping weight reductions were exacerbated by increased temperatures from 10 to 30 C on annual bluegrass, creeping bentgrass, Kentucky bluegrass, and perennial ryegrass. Results suggest that amicarbazone use for annual bluegrass control in cool-season turf may be limited to spring applications, but increased temperature enhances activity on all grasses.

Efficacy of Flazasulfuron for Control of Annual Bluegrass (Poa annua) and Perennial Ryegrass (Lolium perenne) as Influenced by Nitrogen

Certain sulfonylurea (SU) herbicides are used to remove overseeded cool-season species from bermudagrass. The effects of nitrogen (N) on the efficacy of a new SU herbicide, flazasulfuron, have not been determined. Field and laboratory studies were conducted in 2008 and 2009 evaluating the efficacy of flazasulfuron for control of overseeded perennial ryegrass contaminated with annual bluegrass. Flazasulfuron was applied at rates of 4.4, 8.8, and 17.5 g ha−1alone, and in between sequential applications of N fertilizer at 73 kg N ha−1. N was granularly applied immediately prior to herbicide treatment and 4 wk later. In both years, the level of annual bluegrass control with flazasulfuron and two applications of N at 73 kg N ha−1was significantly greater than following treatment with flazasulfuron alone. This response was observed for all application rates of flazasulfuron on every rating date. The level of annual bluegrass control with flazasulfuron at 4.4 g ha−1and two applications of N at 73 kg ha−1was greater than flazasulfuron at 17.5 g ha−1alone each year. No significant differences in perennial ryegrass control were observed for flazasulfuron with and without N fertility. In laboratory studies with annual bluegrass, treatment with N fertilizer at 73 kg N ha−1increased translocation of14C flazasulfuron (and any potential metabolites) from treated annual bluegrass leaves to other shoot tissues by 18% at 1 h after treatment and 22% at 4 h after treatment compared to plants not treated with N fertilizer. This increase in translocation may explain the increased level of annual bluegrass control observed in the field.

Bispyribac-Sodium Application Regimes for Annual Bluegrass (Poa annua) Control on Creeping Bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera) Putting Greens

Bispyribac-sodium effectively controls annual bluegrass in creeping bentgrass fairways but efficacy on putting greens may be affected by management differences and thus, application regimes may need to be modified for effective annual bluegrass control. To test this hypothesis, field experiments investigated various bispyribac-sodium application regimens for annual bluegrass control on creeping bentgrass putting greens. Bispyribac-sodium regimes totaling 148, 222, and 296 g ha−1controlled annual bluegrass 81, 83, and 91%, respectively, over 2 yr. Pooled over herbicide rates, bispyribac-sodium applied two, three, and six times controlled annual bluegrass 78, 83, and 94%, respectively. The most effective bispyribac-sodium regime was 24.6 g ha−1applied weekly, which controlled annual bluegrass 90% after 8 wk with acceptable levels of creeping bentgrass discoloration. After 8 wk, all regimes reduced turf quality as a result of voids in turf following annual bluegrass control; regimes with six applications reduced turf quality the most.

Trinexapac-Ethyl Influences Bispyribac-Sodium Absorption and Efficacy for Annual Bluegrass (Poa annua) Control in Creeping Bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera)

Bispyribac-sodium selectively controls annual bluegrass in cool-season turf but efficacy may be influenced by management practices, such as plant growth regulator use. Experiments were conducted in New Jersey to investigate efficacy and absorption of bispyribac-sodium applied with trinexapac-ethyl for annual bluegrass control and turfgrass tolerance. In laboratory experiments with annual bluegrass, creeping bentgrass, and perennial ryegrass, tank-mixing trinexapac-ethyl with14C-bispyribac-sodium increased presumed foliar absorption of14C-bispyribac-sodium compared with nontrinexapac-ethyl treated; absorption increased with trinexapac-ethyl rate. Differences in14C-bispyribac-sodium absorption were not detected among emulsifiable concentration, microencapsulated concentration, and wettable powder trinexapac-ethyl formulations. In field experiments, sequential bispyribac-sodium applications controlled annual bluegrass 93%, but trinexapac-ethyl did not affect efficacy. Tank-mixing all trinexapac-ethyl formulations with bispyribac-sodium provided similar annual bluegrass control and creeping bentgrass quality compared with bispyribac-sodium alone. Applications of bispyribac-sodium reduced dollar spot cover in both years, whereas trinexapac-ethyl reduced dollar spot cover only in 2005.

Chlelated Iron and Adjuvants Influence Bispyribac–Sodium Efficacy for Annual Bluegrass (Poa annua) Control in Cool-Season Turfgrasses

Spray adjuvants may enhance bispyribac–sodium efficacy for annual bluegrass control but chelated iron may be needed to reduce potential turf discoloration. Field and laboratory experiments were conducted to investigate the influence of iron and adjuvants on bispyribac–sodium efficacy for annual bluegrass control in cool-season turf. In laboratory experiments,14C–bispyribac–sodium foliar absorption increased in four grasses by approximately 50 and 100% when applied with a nonionic surfactant and methylated seed oil, respectively, compared to the herbicide alone. Chelated iron did not reduce14C–bispyribac–sodium absorption. In field experiments, spray adjuvants enhanced annual bluegrass control from bispyribac–sodium at 37 g ai/ha but not at 74 g ai/ha. Iron did not reduce annual bluegrass control from bispyribac–sodium, with or without adjuvants, but mitigated creeping bentgrass discoloration for all treatments.

Strategies for Control of Horseweed (Conyza canadensis) and Other Winter Annual Weeds in No-Till Corn

Field studies were conducted to determine if mesotrione alone or in combinations with other corn herbicides would control horseweed and other winter annual weeds associated with no-till corn. Mesotrione alone controlled horseweed 52 to 80% by 3 wk after treatment (WAT); however, by 7 WAT control diminished to between 37 to 68%, depending on mesotrione rate. Mesotrione at 0.16 kg ai/ha plus atrazine at 0.28 kg ai/ha controlled 99% of horseweed and annual bluegrass and 88% of yellow woodsorrel. Combinations of mesotrione at 0.16 kg/ha plus acetochlor at 1.79 kg ai/ha plus 1.12 kg ai/ha glyphosate (trimethylsulfonium salt of glyphosate) or 0.7 kg ai/ha paraquat provided 93% or greater control of all three weed species. Glyphosate alone also controlled all weed species 97 to 99%, while paraquat alone provided 99% control of annual bluegrass, 72% control of horseweed, and 36% control of yellow woodsorrel. Mixtures of paraquat plus acetochlor improved control of horseweed (93%) and yellow woodsorrel (73%) over control with either herbicide applied alone.

Annual Bluegrass Control in Perennial Ryegrass and Tall Fescue with Bispyribac-sodium

Annual Bluegrass Control in Perennial Ryegrass and Tall Fescue with Bispyribac-sodium

Spray Adjuvants Influence Bispyribac–Sodium Efficacy for Annual Bluegrass (Poa annua) Control in Cool-Season Turf Grass

Field and laboratory experiments were conducted in New Jersey to investigate the influence of spray adjuvants on foliar absorption and efficacy of bispyribac–sodium on annual bluegrass, creeping bentgrass, and perennial ryegrass. In laboratory experiments on annual bluegrass, 14C–bispyribac–sodium without an adjuvant had 25% foliar absorption by 8 h after treatment, whereas absorption increased to 45, 46, and 75% when applied with crop oil concentrate, nonionic surfactant, and methylated seed oil, respectively. In creeping bentgrass fairways, sequential bispyribac–sodium applications at 37 g ai/ha with spray adjuvants controlled annual bluegrass similarly to 74 g ai/ha applied sequentially without adjuvants. In perennial ryegrass, treatments with methylated seed oil and nonionic surfactant required 25 and 41% lower bispyribac–sodium rates, respectively, to obtain annual bluegrass control levels comparable to bispyribac–sodium rates without adjuvants. Spray adjuvants did not exacerbate turf-grass discoloration from bispyribac–sodium. Overall, spray-adjuvant use with bispyribac–sodium may allow practitioners to reduce application rates and enhance efficacy for annual bluegrass control.Nomenclature: Bispyribac–sodium, annual bluegrass, Poa annua L., creeping bentgrass, Agrostis stolonifera L., ‘L-93’, ‘Penncross’, perennial ryegrass, Lolium perenne L., ‘Manhattan 4’

Evaluation of Propargyl Bromide as a Soil Fumigant

The cut flower and bulb industry in California is an important part of the state's agricultural economy and it has relied heavily upon the use of methyl bromide as a treatment to control soil-borne pests. With the phase out of methyl bromide, it is important to develop alternatives that will maintain crop productivity. This report describes research testing the efficacy of propargyl bromide against selected nematode, fungal, and weed species. Three sites were selected in California to represent different soil types and environments. Propargyl bromide was applied to soil in large, buried containers at rates ranging from 28 to 168 kg·ha−1 and compared with standard soil fumigants. The citrus nematode (Tylenchulus semipenetrans Cobb) and an isolate of Fusarium oxysporum Schlechtend:Fr were both controlled at the lowest rate of propargyl bromide tested: 28 kg·ha−1. Weed species varied greatly in their sensitivity to propargyl bromide. A 100% reduction in common purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) and pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus L.) germination occurred at 112 kg·ha−1 propargyl bromide, regardless of geographical location. Results for annual bluegrass (Poa annua L.) control were more variable across locations and years, but more than 90% control was consistently achieved with 168 kg·ha−1 propargyl bromide. Cheeseweed (Malva parviflora L.) and field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis L.) were never consistently controlled by propargyl bromide. When compared with the soil fumigants methyl bromide, iodomethane, and metam sodium, propargyl bromide provided comparable control of all soil-borne pests, but at much lower rates. Although higher rates of propargyl bromide, more than 112 kg·ha−1, were needed to control weeds, these rates still were almost half that required of the other standard fumigants.

Annual Bluegrass (Poa Annua) Control in Kentucky Bluegrass (Poa Pratensis) with Bispyribac-sodium, Primisulfuron, and Sulfosulfuron

Annual bluegrass is a troublesome weed of Kentucky bluegrass because of a lack of selective POST herbicides for control. Field experiments were conducted in New Jersey to investigate the potential of bispyribac-sodium, primisulfuron, and sulfosulfuron for selective annual bluegrass control in Kentucky bluegrass. Primisulfuron provided the best combination of Kentucky bluegrass safety and annual bluegrass control with greater efficacy in summer than fall. Bispyribac-sodium also provided substantial annual bluegrass control, especially in the summer, but caused unacceptable (> 20%) Kentucky bluegrass injury, whereas annual bluegrass control with sulfosulfuron was inconsistent. Growth chamber experiments confirmed that greater primisulfuron efficacy in summer than fall may be attributed to higher temperatures. Overall, primisulfuron has promising implications for future use in Kentucky bluegrass for annual bluegrass control whereas bispyribac-sodium will likely be more applicable in other cool-season turfgra...

Postemergent Annual Bluegrass Control in Dormant Nonoverseeded Bermudagrass Turf

Annual bluegrass (Poa annua L.) can be a troublesome weed to control in established turfgrass stands; it has developed herbicide resistance after repeated use of products with similar modes of action, and several new herbicides have been registered for use on turfgrasses. Four field studies were conducted near Clemson, S.C., from 2003 through 2005 to evaluate postemergence annual bluegrass control in dormant, nonoverseeded bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] turf using various herbicides applied in either December or February of each year and rated in the spring. Annual bluegrass control can be accomplished in dormant, nonoverseeded bermudagrass turf using a wide range of products applied in either December or February. Flazasulfuron, foramsulfuron, glufosinate, glufosinate + clethodim, glufosinate + glyphosate, glyphosate + clethodim, glyphosate + diquat, pronamide, rimsulfuron, and trifloxysulfuron provided 87% or greater annual bluegrass control regardless of application timing. Imazaquin and simazine controlled annual bluegrass greater than 85% when applied in December but less than 80% when applied in February. Glyphosate provided 93% annual bluegrass control when applied in February but only 72% control with December applications. No detrimental effects on bermudagrass spring greenup were observed for any herbicide treatment or application time. The availability of several effective herbicide options with differing modes of action provides turfgrass managers with the opportunity to use herbicide rotations that may prevent, or at least delay, the development of resistant annual bluegrass populations to these chemical products.

Control of annual bluegrass (Poa annua L.) by bispyribac-sodium in the late fall application

Control of annual bluegrass (<I>Poa annua</I> L.) by bispyribac-sodium in the late fall application

Seasonal Effects on Annual Bluegrass (Poa annua) Control in Creeping Bentgrass with Bispyribac-Sodium

Studies were conducted in 2002 and 2003 on a golf course fairway in New Jersey to compare spring, summer, and fall treatments of bispyribac-sodium for annual bluegrass control and creeping bentgrass tolerance. Single applications at 74, 111, or 148 g ai/ha were applied in May, August, or October. Split applications of 37 followed by (fb) 37 or 74 fb 74 g/ha applied 3 wk apart were also evaluated. Summer-applied bispyribac-sodium did not reduce bentgrass quality, whereas spring and fall treatments reduced turf quality at 3 wk after treatment and fall treatments in 2002 substantially reduced bentgrass quality. Summer treatments were more effective than spring or fall treatments in reducing annual bluegrass cover. Final evaluations revealed 36, 31, 21, and 26% annual bluegrass cover averaged across nontreated, spring-treated, summer-treated, and fall-treated plots, respectively. This study demonstrates that two split applications of bispyribac-sodium at 74 g/ha in summer can effectively reduce annual bluegrass cover while minimizing creeping bentgrass injury.

Creeping Bentgrass Tolerance and Annual Bluegrass Control With Bispyribac-Sodium Tank-Mixed With Iron and Nitrogen

Annual bluegrass (Poa annua L.) (ABG) is considered by many turfgrass managers to be an intractable weed problem, particularly in creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L.) (CBG) fairways. Bispyribac-sodium (BPS) is labeled for the control of ABG, but it can elicit objectionable levels of chlorosis in CBG. Little information exists regarding the longevity of chlorosis, other potential phytotoxic effects or the ability of BPS to control ABG in CBG. The primary objectives of this field study were to determine if the chlorosis elicited by BPS could be masked by tank-mixing the herbicide with a chelated iron plus nitrogen product and to determine an effective BPS rate for controlling ABG. Bispyribac-sodium was applied to mature fairway height CBG three times at 49 and 111 g ai/ha and two or three times at 74 g ai/ha on a two-week interval. Chlorosis appeared within one week and generally persisted for 14 to 21 days, but there was no BPS rate effect on the level or longevity of the CBG chlorosis. Tank-mixing BPS with Fe + N effectively masked the chlorosis, regardless of herbicide rate. All BPS rates and timing provided similar levels (≥ 82%) of ABG control.

Weed Control with Fall and Early-Preplant Herbicide Applications in No-Till Soybean

Field studies were conducted during 1999 and 2000 to compare weed control after fall and early-preplant (EPP) herbicide applications in no-till soybean. Three residual treatments (chlorimuron plus metribuzin, chlorimuron plus sulfentrazone, and metribuzin) were applied at two rates and timings (fall and 30 d EPP) either alone or in combination with glyphosate and 2,4-D. The addition of glyphosate and 2,4-D to fall-applied residual herbicides significantly increased control of common chickweed, annual bluegrass, cressleaf groundsel, and shepherd's-purse. The effect of application rate on weed control was species dependent. Fall-applied residual herbicides were comparable with EPP treatments with respect to winter annual weed control; however, at planting control of summer annual weed species with fall treatments was less consistent compared with EPP residual herbicides.

Effects of Timing of Ethofumesate Application on Severity of Gray Leaf Spot of Perennial Ryegrass Turf.

Ethofumesate is a widely used herbicide for control of annual bluegrass (Poa annua) in perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) fairways on golf courses in the United States. Effect of timing of ethofumesate application on development of gray leaf spot was evaluated on perennial ryegrass turf treated with six classes of fungicide. Two applications of ethofumesate (2.28 kg a.i./ha) were made to perennial ryegrass turf maintained at a 2-cm height, at 4-week intervals, each fall (October and November 1999 and 2000) or spring (April and May 2000 and 2001). In addition, turf was treated with the fungicides, azoxystrobin, chlorothalonil, flutolanil, iprodione, propiconazole, or thiophanate-methyl at the label rates at 14-day intervals. There were significant effects (P ≤ 0.05) of ethofumesate application timing and fungicide regime on gray leaf spot development. There also were significant interactions between the ethofumesate application timing and fungicide. Severity of gray leaf spot was significantly greater in turf plots treated with ethofumesate in spring compared to turf treated in fall or nontreated control plots treated with fungicides, flutolanil, iprodione, and propiconazole that were relatively less effective in control of gray leaf spot. There was no significant difference in disease severity in turf treated with ethofumesate in fall or to turf not treated with herbicide regardless of the fungicide used. Results of this study indicate that spring application of ethofumesate contributes to development of gray leaf spot epidemics, and the application timing interacts with the classes of fungicides. This study suggests that ethofumesate should be applied only in fall for control of P. annua, particularly in golf courses with a chronic gray leaf spot problem, as part of an integrated management of gray leaf spot in perennial ryegrass fairways.