Green-Up of Dormant Bermudagrass after Applications of Early Spring Pre-Emergence Herbicides

Abstract

Six treatments of pre-emergence herbicides were evaluated for their effects on the spring green-up of dormant non-overseeded bermudagrass turf. Plot composition (percent yellow, percent green, percent straw or dormant turf) components were affected by herbicides to various extents on March 27, April 20, and April 27. Percent plot yellow turf was least in occurrence for BARRICADE, PENDULUM, and SURFLAN at 25 days after the first treatment. At 25 days after the first application (March 27) PENDULUM produced the lowest amount of green turf (13%) among treated turfs. At 50 days after the first application (April 20) PENDULUM treated turf had the greatest amount of yellow turf (63%), and the least amount of green turf present (18%). Turfgrass color was affected by herbicide treatments (on June 2, 30 days after the second treatment). The TEAM-PRO product had the darkest noticeable turf at this time. Herbicides had no affect on: A) visual estimates of turfgrass density B) number of lateral (horizontal) green stolons in the turf mat C) number of subterranean rhizomes D) root pegging of surface stolons. Green-up responses were short-lived from the herbicides evaluated at product rates tested.