Using Preemergence Herbicides to Improve Establishment of Centipedegrass (Eremochloa ophiuroides) from Seed

Abstract

Centipedegrass is a warm-season turf grass that has increased in popularity in recent years. However, more information is needed on the use of herbicides during centipedegrass establishment from seed, particularly in seed and sod production systems. The intent of this study was to evaluate turf-grass injury and weed control when atrazine, imazapic, imazethapyr, and simazine are applied immediately after seeding centipedegrass. Atrazine and simazine (applied at 1.1, 2.2, and 4.4 kg ai/ ha) injured centipedegrass less than 15% at 5 wk after treatment (WAT) in 2001. Imazethapyr and imazapic (applied at 0.04, 0.07, and 0.1 kg ai/ha) injured centipedegrass between 7 and 13%, 5 WAT, in 2001 and from 30 to 77% in 2002. Herbicide and application rate also affected centipedegrass cover. At 3 WAT, cover decreased with all herbicides as application rate increased. At 12 WAT in both years, centipedegrass cover increased as atrazine application rate increased and imazethapyr application rate decreased. Imazapic and simazine were less consistent, causing increases in cover one year and decreases, or no change, the next. Imazapic controlled Texas panicum 80 to 89% and was more effective than any other herbicide. Atrazine and simazine controlled crowfootgrass better than any other herbicide. Imazethapyr often injured centipedegrass and failed to control weeds. Atrazine effectively controlled grass and broadleaf weeds with minimal centipedegrass injury. Imazethapyr and imazapic were too injurious to permit usage during centipedegrass establishment from seed.