Cool-Season Turfgrass Reseeding Intervals for Sulfosulfuron

Abstract

Turf managers may wish to reseed turfgrass species into areas where weeds have been eliminated by sulfosulfuron treatments. Field studies were conducted in 2002 and 2003 in New Jersey to determine when creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L.), Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.), and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) can be safely reseeded after a sulfosulfuron application. Sulfosulfuron at 34 or 67 g ai/ha was applied 6, 4, 2, or 1 week before seeding (WBS). Data pooled across sulfosulfuron rates revealed ground cover of creeping bentgrass, Kentucky bluegrass, and perennial ryegrass at 3 weeks after seeding (WAS) was reduced to 41, 30, and 70% of the untreated by applications 1 WBS, respectively. Our study suggests that perennial ryegrass can be safely reseeded two weeks after a sulfosulfuron application, whereas creeping bentgrass and Kentucky bluegrass may require two to four weeks before reseeding can occur.

Effect of Sulfosulfuron on ‘Penncross’ Creeping Bentgrass Seedlings when Applied Before or After Seeding

“…2B). Our data are similar to that of Lycan and Hart (6) showing reduced damage in 2007 compared to 2004 was likely due to warmer air temperatures between 5 and 8 WAS in 2007 encouraging better recovery in 2007.…”

“…Sulfosulfuron half‐life values in agricultural soils range from 3.97 to 6.30 days and up to 21% of the applied sulfosulfuron remains active in soil 15 days after application (8,12). Lycan and Hart (6) reported that sulfosulfuron applied at 34 or 67 g ai/ha one or two weeks before seeding creeping bentgrass reduced establishment cover. However, it is unknown if loss of cover may be reduced or eliminated by applying sulfosulfuron at lower rates of 13 to 39 g ai/ha, which are recommended for roughstalk bluegrass control in creeping bentgrass (1).…”

“…Sulfosulfuron is an acetolactate synthase (ALS) inhibitor which can inhibit root growth and reduce seedling establishment when applied to immature turfgrass seedlings (3,4). Residual activity of sulfosulfuron likely inhibits creeping bentgrass seedling root growth, thus delaying reseeding following application (1,6). Sulfosulfuron half-life values in agricultural soils range from 3.97 to 6.30 days and up to 21% of the applied sulfosulfuron remains active in soil 15 days after application (8,12).…”

Multi-year Roughstalk Bluegrass Control in Creeping Bentgrass with Bispyribac-sodium and Sulfosulfuron

“…Creeping bentgrass, Kentucky bluegrass, and perennial ryegrass can be safely reseeded two weeks after a bispyribac‐sodium application (14). Sulfosulfuron may have longer soil residual activity than bispyribac‐sodium but cool‐season turfgrasses can be safely reseeded by approximately three weeks after applications (11). Overall, bispyribac‐sodium and sulfosulfuron appear efficacious for roughstalk bluegrass suppression but these herbicides alone may be unreliable for long‐term eradication in creeping bentgrass fairways.…”

‘Riviera’ Bermudagrass Response to Pre-seeding Applications of Sulfonylurea Herbicides

“…1) applications will result in high seedling mortality and limited establishment (Table 1 and 2). Others have found short seeding intervals following applications of sulfosulfuron in cool‐season turf species (6), but warm‐season reseeding intervals have not been published for any of these products.…”