Sulfonylurea Herbicide Safety on Newly Sprigged Bermudagrass and Seashore Paspalum

Abstract

Several sulfonylurea herbicides are labeled for use on established bermudagrass or seashore paspalum, but label recommendations for many of these chemicals vary for sprigged turf. The objective of this study was to determine the safety of various sulfonylurea herbicides on newly planted, ‘Tifway’ bermudagrass and ‘Aloha’ seashore paspalum sprigs in Arkansas and Louisiana. Treatments were arranged as a five by two by two factorial with five herbicides (foramsulfuron at 29 and 59 g ai ha−1, halosulfuron at 35 and 70 g ai ha−1, metsulfuron at 21 and 42 g ai ha−1, sulfosulfuron at 66 and 131 g ai ha−1, and trifloxysulfuron at 28 and 56 g ai ha−1), two herbicide rates (low and high), and two application timings at 2 or 4 wk after sprigging (WAS). There was no discernable herbicide injury to, or reduction in, Tifway bermudagrass coverage in Arkansas, regardless of herbicide, application timing, or application rate. Trifloxysulfuron and metsulfuron were more injurious than other herbicides in Louisiana when applied at 2 WAS to Tifway bermudagrass, but injury levels were acceptable (< 15%), and there was no long-term reduction in establishment. Metsulfuron or halosulfuron applied at 2 or 4 WAS and sulfosulfuron applied at 4 WAS allowed > 90% establishment of Aloha seashore paspalum at both locations. Both trifloxysulfuron and foramsulfuron were injurious to seashore paspalum and reduced its establishment. These results suggest that sulfonylurea herbicides can be safely applied shortly after sprigging to Tifway bermudagrass and that metsulfuron, halosulfuron, and sulfosulfuron could be useful herbicides for establishing Aloha seashore paspalum from sprigs.