Goosegrass (Eleusine indica) Control in Turf in the Transition Zone

Abstract

The objective of this investigation was to determine if preemergence herbicides, applied at the standard rates and times for smooth crabgrass [Digitaria ischaemum(Schreb.) Muhl. ♯ DIGIS] control, would provide season-long control of goosegrass [Eleusine indica(L.) Gaertn. ♯ ELEIN] in the transition zone. The transition zone is a unique area of turfgrass culture between cool and warm regions where quality of turfgrasses frequently declines due to environmental stresses. Single and sequential applications of bensulide [O,O-diisopropyl phosphorodithioateS-ester withN-(2-mercaptoethyl)benzenesulfonamide] and DCPA (dimethyltetrachloroterephthalate) did not effectively control goosegrass in any of the three test years. Benefin (N-butyl-N-ethyl-α,α,α-trifluoro-2,6-dinitro-p-toluidine) usually required sequential dosages to provide good (90%) to excellent (95%) goosegrass control. Nearly all rates of oxadiazon [2-tert-butyl-4(2,4-dichloro-5-isopropoxyphenyl)-δ2-1,3,4-oxadiazolin-5-one] used provided good to excellent goosegrass control. Napropamide [2-(α-naphthoxy)-N,N-diethylpropionamide] plus bensulide provided excellent goosegrass control in 1981, but not in 1982. Pendimethalin [N-(1-ethylpropyl)-3,4-dimethyl-2,6-dinitrobenzenamine] also provided effective goosegrass control.