Dates of Herbicide Application for Weed Control in Bermudagrass

Abstract

In field studies, herbicides were applied at various times to different plots during the summer and fall at two locations over a 3-year period to control winter weeds in nonoverseeded bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] turf. Annual bluegrass (Poa annua L.) control was higher at Griffin for all herbicide applications made in October when compared with herbicide applications made at the same rate in July, August, or September. At Lawrenceville, optimum annual bluegrass control was obtained when bensulide [O,O-diisopropyl phosphorodithioate S-ester with N-(2-mercaptoethyl) benzenesulfonamide] was applied in August, terbutol (2,6-di-tert-butyl-p-tolyl methylcarbamate) applied in either August or September, benefin (N-butyl-N-ethyl-α,α,α-trifluoro −2,6 dinitro-p-toluidine) applied in September, pronamide [3,5-dichloro-N-(1,1-dimethyl-2-propynyl) benzamide] applied in either September or October, and simazine [2-chloro-4,6-bis(ethylamino)-s-triazine] applied in October. DCPA (dimethyl tetrachloroterephthalate) did not control annual bluegrass satisfactorily at either location, regardless of dates of application. The control of several broadleaf weeds was generally higher when herbicides were applied in October at Griffin and when applied in September or October at Lawrenceville when compared with earlier treatments. Bensulide applied in October was the only herbicide that satisfactorily controlled parsley-piert (Alchemilla microcarpa Boissie Reuter).