Weed Control in Seashore Paspalum

Summary

Research conducted by the University of Georgia has assisted agri-chemical companies in getting herbicides registered for use on seashore paspalum.

Situation

Seashore paspalum is an environmentally-friendly warm-season turfgrass grown primarily in coastal regions of the southern United States. This grass is highly adapted to saline sites. Similar to all turfgrasses, weeds can be a problem in seashore paspalum. As this turfgrass is new to the industry, very few herbicides are registered for weed control in this species.

Response

Research conducted over the past five years at the UGA-Griffin Campus has identified herbicides that could be used for weed control in seashore paspalum. In experiments conducted in 2005 and 2006, Drive (quinclorac) at 0.5 and 1X (0.375 and 0.75 lbs. ai/acre, respectively) rates were applied to newly-seeded and sprigged 'Sea Spray' seashore paspalum. In 2005, Drive at 1X applied at the time of seeding was the only treatment that temporarily decreased the density of seashore paspalum during establishment (up to 35 days after application). Drive did not affect seashore paspalum establishment in 2006. This research showed that Drive, an effective herbicide for crabgrass (Digitaria spp.) and certain other annual weeds, could be applied at the time of seeding or sprigging, as well as during “grow-in” of seashore paspalum. This information was forwarded to BASF, the registrant of Drive, who has added this use and turfgrass species to this herbicide label. Mesotrione (no trade name) applied at the time of sprigging or seeding seashore paspalum slightly injured (<15%) and decreased (<50%) density on both newly-seeded and –sprigged seashore paspalum at 14 days after application. However, by 30 days after application seashore paspalum density and quality were equal to the untreated check. This was the first experiment conducted with this herbicide on seashore paspalum. Future research on the tolerance of seashore paspalum is needed as this turfgrass species does exhibit acceptable tolerance to mesotrione. In additional studies established seashore paspalum exhibited excellent tolerance to carfentrazone (QuickSilver), F6011 (an experimental from FMC), sulfentrazone (Dismiss), and halosulfuron (SedgeHammer).

Impact

Information generated from this research is being supplied to agri-chemical companies who have proprietary rights for these herbicides. Companies will be able to use this information to register these herbicides with EPA for use on seashore paspalum. The net impact will be that turfgrass managers and homeowners will have effective herbicides that can be used to control objectionable weeds in seashore paspalum. As weed control programs continue to be developed for seashore paspalum, this use of this grass will continue to increase in geographical areas where other turfgrasses are poorly adapted.

State Issue

Agricultural Profitability and Sustainability

Details

• Year: 2006
• Geographic Scope: International
• County: Spalding
• Program Areas:
  • Agriculture & Natural Resources