Spring Transition of Tifway (419) Bermudagrass as Influenced by Herbicide Treatments

Abstract

The transition from perennial ryegrass back to bermudagrass is often problematic. Prolonged periods of ryegrass persistence and/or loss of complete turf is troublesome and not favorable to the reestablishment of the bermudagrass base. A group of select herbicides were applied in May 2000, to assess their response to enhance the removal of perennial ryegrass, and to enhance recovery of the bermudagrass. CORSAIR (Chlorosufuron) applied at 1.0 ounce/product/acre resulted in reduced turfgrass quality from three to six weeks after treatment, with a decrease in color at three weeks. This treatment caused moderate suppression of the turf and an enhanced transition from perennial ryegrass to Tifway (419). MANOR (Metsulfuron) applied at 0.4 ounce/product/acre caused a slight growth suppression, acceptable turfgrass color, but a noticeable decrease in turfgrass quality up to six weeks after application. MANOR increased turf density and minimized scalping by seven weeks after treatment (July 24, 2000). SURFLAN when applied at 1.5 lb AI/A, produced acceptable quality turf, no visible growth suppression, acceptable overseed turf quality and color. SURFLAN did not provide any affect as a transition agent in this test. KERB did not greatly enhance transition, and was slightly more effective at 0.5 lb AI/A, than at the 1.0 lb AI/A rate. Both rates of KERB produced acceptable turfgrass color throughout the test. Turfgrass quality diminished to low levels from July 18 to July 24, ranking lowest in quality. KERB treated turf tended to "scalp" more than other treated turfs and thinned the grass at the high rate of 0.50 lb AI/A. FIRST RATE applied at 75 grams AI/hectare caused slight visible suppression for two weeks after treatment, an acceptable quality turf (on six of seven evaluation dates), acceptable turfgrass color and turf density. FIRST RATE did enhance transition, but less so than CORSAIR, possibly less than MANOR, and certainly less than AEF 130630. PROXY was applied on four dates (four, three, two, and zero weeks prior to June 3), selected as a "calendar target" dates observe transition. PROXY when applied on May 13, provided a short transition effect, for a period of about two weeks. Applications made later had little effect whatsoever, on Spring transition back to bermudagrass. From May 19 to June 5, the two "early" applications of PROXY, generally increased turfgrass color and quality scores, most likely by having a PGR response on perennial ryegrass. AEF 130630 readily enhanced Spring transition from perennial ryegrass to Tifway (419) bermudagrass, especially in May and June. All three application rates caused visual suppression of the turf from May 19 until June 5. Turfgrass color and quality were affected by AEF 130630. The maximum expression occurred for the 0.42 ounce/product/M rate by May 25 (which remained until at least June 5). Mean color scores here were 5.3, on both dates. The high rate 0.64 ounce/product/M actually caused less color reductions in the turf (perhaps as a function of the quicker removal of ryegrass). Reduced turf quality resulted three weeks after treatment for both the low and high rates (means = 5.0). The turf was similar to that of the control plots, afterwards, and superior by both middle and late July time periods.