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 From the News Desk...Study sheds light on herbicide use in paspalumby John ReitmanScientific research has shown that paspalum is more susceptible to damage from herbicides than other warm-season grasses, such as zoysia or Bermuda, and seedlings are especially at risk. A study conducted by researchers at the University of Arkansas has shed some light on safe use of herbicides to control various weeds in paspalum. Researchers determined that five herbicides, as well as plain saltwater, showed the most promise when establishing paspalum from seedlings. Specifically, researchers found that clopyralid, halsulfuron, metsulfuron, quinclorac, carfentrazone can be used to control a broad spectrum of weeds in establishment of paspalum. Mike Richardson, Ph.D., Aaron Patton, Ph.D., and Jon Trappe, all of the University of Arkansas, as well as Eric Nelson of The Scotts Co., conducted the research in 2007 and 2008 at the university’s agricultural research and extension center. The fumigated research plots were seeded June 20, 2007 and June 13, 2008 with 39.3 pounds per acre or 0.9 pounds per 1,00 square feet of Sea Spray paspalum. The plots then were covered 10 to 14 days with a germination blanket and subsequently treated with a portfolio of controls, including 23 herbicides, salt water and a control plot, two weeks after emergence. Their findings were published July 20 on the Plant Management Network Web site. Specifically, researchers learned that halosulfuron could be used to control sedge in paspalum seedlings; while carfentrazone, clopyralid, metsulfuron and quinclorac could be used for broadleaf weed control; metsulfuron for cool-season grass control; quinclorac for summer annual grassy weeds; and salt water as a natural herbicide for weed control. “Choose wisely when using a herbicide on newly seeded seashore paspalum,” Patton said. “The good news is that there are herbicides useful for the control of most major weeds that can be used safely on seashore paspalum seedlings.” Researchers undertook the study because many summer annual grasses and broadleaf weeds are competitive with or can create shade problems for paspalum seedlings, yet there is a lack of current data on the topic. Researchers also said that such competition can prolong establishment and reduce overall density. According to the Arkansas research team, there are more than 7,500 acres of paspalum under management on U.S. golf courses, and the ability to control weeds during the first six to eight weeks after emergence is critical to success of the plant. However, there is no current data on herbicide tolerance of paspalum seedlings, the researchers said. “We had a lot of experience with establishing Bermudagrass and zoysiagrass from seed, so we were interested in also working with seashore paspalum,” Patton said. “Although we don’t recommend seashore paspalum for Arkansas, it has performed fairly well here in northwestern Arkansas the last five years.” Seedling injury due to herbicide application was 17 percent and 15 percent greater in 2007 than in 2008 when measured three days and six days after application, respectively, according to the research. At three days after application in 2007, MSMA and sulfentrazone were judged to have caused the most injury to seedlings, while clopyralid, metsulfuron, halosulfuron, dithiopyr, quinclorac, pendimethalin, oxadiazon, pronamide, siduron, prodiamine and salt water were least injurious. Seedling injury due to herbicide use six days after application was highest for fluazifop, MSMA, imazaquin, ethofumesate, 2,4-D plus MCPP plus dicamba, and triclopyr. Clopyralid, halosulfuron, quinclorac, metsulfuron, carfentrazone, oxadiazon, prodiamine, pronamide, pendimethalin and salt water caused the least damage. In the second year of the study, injury due to herbicide use three days after application was highest for MSMA, while fluazifop, MSMA and triclopyr produced similar incidences of injury six days after application. Pendimethalin, clopyralid, prodiamine, halosulfuron, metsulfuron, quinclorac, sulfosulfuron, dithiopyr and salt water were least injurious to seedlings across all evaluation dates in 2008. |
 In other news... Greens of envy Olympic Club members and 2012 U.S. Open reap benefits of converting from Poa annua to bentgrass. Posted: 11/19/2009 Read more » News and people briefs Register now for New England turf show, Toro introduces walk-behind trencher, Sipcam adds to sales staff Posted: 11/19/2009 Read more » A better divot digger Motorized device developed at the University of Arkansas produces uniform damage quickly and could help advance turf recovery research. Posted: 11/19/2009 Read more » Currier moving on from Bethpage Site of this year's U.S. Open to get new superintendent and 15th green. Posted: 11/18/2009 Read more » Economic struggles mean finding more fat to trim Superintendents look for ways to cut due to shrinking budgets. Posted: 11/16/2009 Read more » Complete news index »
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