Repeat Applications of Paclobutrazole (TGR) Plant Growth Regulator on Overseeded Bermudagrass Turf: Weed Control and Bermudagrass Transition

Abstract

TGR (paclobutrazole) was applied to both overseeded and non-overseeded turfs in repeat monthly applications at either 8.0 oz or 12.0 oz product/1000 ft² rates. Applications were made in repeat monthly intervals to apply either three, four or five repeat applications beginning in December 2007, and ending in April 2008. When applied as a post emergent PGR material, TGR caused only a slight decrease in turfgrass color and quality of overseeded turfs in March at the high (and repeated) rate of 12.0 oz/product/acre. This effect was short lived, as overseeded turfs for the remainder of the season maintained fully acceptable color and quality through the spring transition period. Tenacity turfs always had quality scores of 6.0 or higher throughout the test. Seed head suppression was realized from TGR, with greater head suppression at the 12.0 oz rate than that of the 8.0 oz rate. Bermudagrass transition among TGR treated turfs was not different from that of the untreated controls, whether the turfs were overseeded or not. On 20 June 2008, percent bermudagrass plot cover ranged from 29-58% for TGR treated turfs, 40% for Tenacity, while the overseeded UTC had 35%, on average. The percent bermudagrass increased quickly after a 2.0 lb. /N /M application on June 20, to 68% to 90% bermudagrass cover for TGR treated turfs (UTC = 83%). After a scalping event (from 1.25 inches to 0.50 inches) performed on July 1, percent bermudagrass decreased temporarily (from bermudagrass removal), but rebounded within 15 days to yield 96% to 99% bermudagrass cover by the close of the test on 31 July, 2008. Like wise, Tenacity alone did not inhibit transition, as Tenacity treated turfs had bermudagrass cover slightly greater than that of the overseeded controls.