Establishment of Seeded Centipedegrass (Eremochloa ophiuroides) in Utility Turf Areas

Abstract

Experiments were conducted to evaluate safety and effectiveness of herbicides during establishment of seeded centipedegrass. Centipedegrass tolerance to herbicides was evaluated at seeding and early postemergence. Imazapic at 105 g ai/ha, sulfometuron at 53 g ai/ha, or metsulfuron at 21 or 42 g ai/ha applied at seeding reduced centipedegrass ground cover compared with the nontreated. Imazapic at 18 or 35 g/ha or applications of atrazine or simazine at seeding did not reduce centipedegrass ground cover compared with the nontreated. Applications of chlorsulfuron plus mefluidide (7 + 140 g ai/ha) or metsulfuron at 21 or 42 g/ha applied 6 wk after seeding (WAS) centipedegrass (one-leaf to one-tiller growth stage) caused 20, 16, and 83% phytotoxicity, respectively, 56 d after treatment (DAT). Imazapic, sulfometuron, atrazine, or simazine applied 6 WAS caused <15% phytotoxicity 56 DAT. When large crabgrass and centipedegrass were seeded together, large crabgrass emergence was reduced 41% when atrazine (1,100 g ai/ha) was applied at seeding. Centipedegrass tiller production was reduced with increasing amounts of crabgrass. However, centipedegrass tiller production and ground cover were higher when atrazine was applied because of reduced interspecific interference from large crabgrass. These data indicate that centipedegrass can be established more quickly if appropriate herbicides are used at seeding or shortly after seeding.

Herbicides Applied at or Shortly after Seeding Are Effective for Weed Control in Seedling Buffalograss

“…3). Our results agree with previous research where treatments that produce the highest turf cover at 6 WAE also reduced weed cover the most (Gannon et al, 2004). There were few differences in Bowie cover among the herbicides applied at 2 WAE, but averaged over herbicides, this application timing produced the lowest buffalograss cover, probably due to weed competition.…”

Weed Control and Turf Safety of Single and Sequential Applications of Herbicides Over Spring Seedings

“…Data interpretation from seeding studies is often difficult due to interactions between reduced weed competition from effective herbicide treatments and potential damage to seedling turf from the same treatments (12). However, risking slight herbicide damage to turfgrass seedlings could be compensated for by reduced weed competition.…”

“…Herbicides had no effect in July 2010 seedings with turf cover ranging from 15 to 28%, but mesotrione provided 58% TF cover in the July 2011 seeding while all other treatments provided £13% ( Table 2). Data interpretation from seeding studies is often difficult due to interactions between reduced weed competition from effective herbicide treatments and potential damage to seedling turf from the same treatments (12). However, risking slight herbicide damage to turfgrass seedlings could be compensated for by reduced weed competition.…”

Common Lespedeza (Kummerowia striata) Control within Maintained Centipedegrass Turf

“…is a low‐maintenance, warm‐season turfgrass used throughout the southern United States (Hanna, 1995). Centipedegrass is established vegetatively and by seed; however, weed competition is problematic due to delayed coverage (Gannon et al, 2004; McElroy et al, 2012). Furthermore, the open canopy of centipedegrass turf relative to other warm‐season turfgrasses, as well as its low fertility requirements, may improve the growing conditions for leguminous weeds.…”