Oxadiazon Applied as a Pre-Emergence for Poa annua with Reference to Fall Overseeding of Bermudagrass Turf

Abstract

Ronstar was applied at three rates (1.0, 2.0 and 4.0 lbs. AI/A) at 12, 10, 8, 6 and 4 weeks before overseeding bermudagrass turf with perennial ryegrass on October 20, 1997. On November 7, 1997 (18 DAS) Ronstar treated plots ranged from 20% to 81% for percent plot ryegrass coverage. The greatest mean ryegrass coverage occurred for the 2.0 lbs. rate/@ 12 WBOS. Among the 4 lbs. treatments, there was more or less a linear decrease for ryegrass establishment on a visual plot basis as the application time came closer to the overseeding date. On December 1, Ronstar treated field plots ranged from a low of 29% ryegrass cover (4 lbs./@ 4 WBOS) to 91% (2 lbs./@ 12 WBOS). Among the 4 lbs. treated plots, the 10 and 12 WBOS timing allowed for 82% and 75% mean plot cover respectively, by December 1 (42 DAS). Of the remaining treatments, the 2 lbs./@ 4 WBOS had 61% plot cover (ryegrass) while all other 1 lbs. and 2 lbs. plots had 80% or greater cover at this time. On December 15, 1997 (56 DAS), mean percent plot scores for percentage ryegrass cover ranged from 53% to 100%. The only plot which had significantly less plot cover was 4 lbs./@ 4 WBOS (53%). All other plots had 88% or greater ryegrass cover. Turfgrass color scores showed a significant Atreatment@ effect on December 15, but not on December 29, January 29, March 11 or on April 11. On December 29 (70 DAS), overall turfgrass quality scores ranged from 4.0 (unacceptable) to 7.8. Two treatments which were sub-par included 4 lbs./@ 6 WBOS (5.7 = marginal) and 4 lbs./@ 4 WBOS (4.0 = unacceptable). Treatments which had mean quality values of 7.0 or higher included; 1 lbs./@ 10 WBOS (7.8), 1 lbs./@ 6 WBOS (7.8), 2 lbs./@ 10 WBOS (7.5), 1 lbs./@ 8 WBOS (7.3), 2 lbs./@ 6 WBOS (7.3), 4 lbs./@ 12 WBOS (7.3) and 2 lbs./@ 12 WBOS (7.3). Weed pressure was inadequate to fully assess pre-emergence control of Poa annua. At the close of the test on April 11, 1998, weed control ranged from 8% to 100%. Plots with 90% or greater weed control included 2 lbs./@ 10 WBOS, 1 lbs./@ 4 WBOS, and 4 lbs./@ 12, 8, 6, and 4 WBOS. The 1.0 lbs. AI/A treatment was safe for perennial ryegrass at 12, 10, 8, 6, and 4 WBOS. The 2.0 lbs. AI/A treatment was safe for perennial ryegrass at 12, 10, and 8 weeks. The 4.0 lbs. AI/A treatment was safe at 12 and 10 WBOS.