The Effect of Sulfonylurea (SU) Herbicides on Establishment of Seeded Bermudagrass when Applied to Remove Perennial Ryegrass Turf

Abstract

Higher SU herbicide rates provided more effective ryegrass removal that resulted in improved establishment of the seeded bermudagrass. In most instances in this study, the percent bermudagrass coverage increased as herbicide rates increased. Glyphosate was very effective in completely removing ryegrass non-selectively. Flazasulfuron at 0.018 lb ai/A eliminated 88% of the ryegrass. Observations also showed that foramsulfuron, rimsulfuron,and chlorsulfuron were effective in removing ryegrass. In plots where ryegrass had been eliminated, faster bermudagrass coverage in a greater area of the plot was achieved. The least amount of bermudagrass coverage occurred in the untreated plots. It appeared that most of the herbicides evaluated in this study were relatively safe on seeded Princess 77 bermudagrass since emergence and establishment occurred in all plots. The speed and degree of coverage in the plots increased due to efficacy of the herbicides in eliminating ryegrass prior to seeding.