Zoysiagrass Seedhead Suppression with Imidazolinone Herbicides

Abstract

Options for suppressing zoysiagrass seedheads in managed turfgrass systems are limited. Experiments were conducted in 2010 and 2011 evaluating the use of imazamox (26, 52, and 70 g ai ha−1) or imazapic (52 g ai ha−1) for ‘Zenith' and ‘Meyer' zoysiagrass seedhead suppression. Imazamox and imazapic at ≥ 52 g ai ha−1suppressed Zenith zoysiagrass seedheads ≥ 95% at 2 to 6 wk after initial treatment (WAIT) each year. Slight injury (< 10%) was observed with these treatments; however, effective seedhead suppression resulted in increased (i.e., darker) green color from 8 to 15 WAIT each year. Relative chlorophyll index values for imazamox- and imazapic-treated plots ranged from 100 to 147% of the nontreated control in 2010 and 89 to 125% of the nontreated in 2011. On Meyer zoysiagrass, imazamox and imazapic at ≥ 52 g ha−1reduced seedhead counts greater than 90% in both Tennessee and Indiana. However, significant (> 25%) injury was reported with these treatments at one experimental location. Although imazamox and imazapic have efficacy for zoysiagrass seedhead suppression, additional studies are needed to determine factors affecting zoysiagrass injury potential from imazamox and imazapic applications.