Commodities: Fruits

The Georgia Peach

Bermudagrass: A Perennial Problem

By: Wayne Mitchem

Weed Science Specialist

North Carolina State University

 

Controlling bermudagrass is a considerable challenge but one worth accepting.  Bermudagrass is very competitive and will reduce the growth of young plants as well as fruit yields in mature plantings of grape, apple, peach, blueberry, and blackberry crops.  The good news is bermudagrass can be controlled in perennial fruit crops with Poast, Fusilade, or clethodim (Select, SelectMax, Intensity, and others).

Application timing is critical to successful bermudagrass control.  An initial application should be applied to bermudagrass having 4 to 6” of new growth.  A second application will be necessary when regrowth occurs.  The second application and its timing are critical to successful control.  The bermudagrass must have recovered from the initial herbicide application before applying the second application.  Growers often ask how long should I wait after the first application before making the second application and there is no specific answer to that except to say the time frame can vary.  Factors affecting regrowth include soil moisture at the time of application, rainfall events after the application, and temperature.  The common mistake made with the second application is failing to apply it or applying it too soon.

The herbicide strip treated with Poast (left) is free of bermudagrass, while the peach trees (right) compete with yield-reducing bermudagrass.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The peaches harvested from the treated row (top) are evidence of the benefits of controlling bermudagrass in the herbicide strip.

The table below provides herbicide rate range and crop restriction information pertaining to non-bearing uses as well as PHI information for each of the herbicides mentioned above.  On each of these product labels there is detailed information regarding bermudagrass control.  In addition to bermudagrass these products control johnsongrass and annual grass weeds like large crabgrass, fall panicum, goosegrass, and others.  If you have questions regarding the use of these products contact the local agent with the Cooperative Extension Service in your county.

Materials for Bermudagrass Management
Herbicide	Rate	Preharvest Interval
Poast	1 to 2.5 pt/acre	25 day PHI
Clethodim	Rate varies with formulation	For non-bearing use only
Fusilade	8 to 24 oz/acre	14  day PHI

*Refer to product label for spray additive recommendations. 

 

 

 

Questions or comments?
Contact: Mary Ann Smallwood
The Georgia Peach editor
msmallwo@uga.edu