Evaluation of Dimension and Barricade for Pre-emergence Control of Poa annua in Overseeded Bermudagrass Turf

Abstract

For pre-emergence control of Poa annua (PA), Dimension as the EC and 270 G (granular) formulations were applied either as single applications at 6 and 8 weeks before fall overseeding, followed by sequential applications of Barricade. Barricade was also applied 6 and 8 weeks before overseeding. The plots were overseeded on October 2, 2006 with a Citation III perennial ryegrass blend at the rate of 625 lbs PLS/A. When overseeded with perennial ryegrass: Both pre-emerge treatments of the 270G formulation, and Barricade applied at 0.77 lbs AI/A six weeks before overseed (6WB0S) had moderate to severe stunting. Both Dimension treatments (6 and 8 weeks BOS) had no apparent loss of vigor, and were equal in vigor with that of the non-treated turf. By mid December , the 270G treatments produced the least amount of ryegrass cover. Also on October 18, there was a slight reduction in ryegrass cover for Dimension and Barricade treated turfs. The single application treatments of Dimension produced slight/moderate percent weed control in February and March, which declined rapidly by the end of March. On March 15, Dimension applied at 32 ounces/product/acre at 6 and 8WBOS had a season maximum of 43%, and 20% weed control, respectively. Barricade applied at 0.77 lbs. product/A had the highest amounts of PA control realized in this test. The pre/post application of Barricade (alone) produced percent weed control values statistically similar to that of the single pre-emergence application of Barricade alone at either 6 or 8WBOS. The 270G treatments produced much higher levels of percent (PA) control than the liquid formulation on all three dates. In non-overseeded turf: Liquid Dimension treatments showed NO control whatsoever at 8WBOS. At 6WBOS, 24% PA weed control was the highest control achieved early on at the November 2 evaluation. Barricade, when applied once as a pre-emergence, had good to moderate percent PA weed control, which declined after December (45% in January) at the 6WBOS timing. The 270G treatments had very good initial weed control (as it did on the overseeded plots) with 93–97% weed control on November 2, 89% - 91% on November 17, and 71-80% weed control on December 7. The affect of overseed alone on suppression of PA was 72%, 60%, and 52% (16 Feb, 15 Mar, and 26 Mar).