lawn-type turf, (6) uniform particlesizing to avoid ballistic segregationwith rotary type applications, (7) a lowactive ingredient load (i.e. 0.13% (low)versus 3.5% (high)), and (8)irrigation/rainfall within several daysafter application, especially with liquidapplications.Remember, siduron (Tupersan andothers) and

mesotrione (Tenacity)

are the only safe preemergenceherbicides to use at the time ofseeding for controlling annual grasses,broadleaf weeds and sedges. Tenacityhas a broader spectrum of weedscontrolled.

Carfentrazone(Quicksilver)

by FMC and

Octane(pyraflufen-ethyl)

by SePro

can alsobe used in newly seeded stands of K.bluegrass and P. ryegrass seven daysafter emergence for broadleaf weeds.The only natural herbicide that islabeled for preemergence crabgrasscontrol is corn gluten meal (dipeptidesas a by-product of the corn processingindustry) and sold under numeroustradenames.Postemergence annual grassy weedcontrol has been limited to fenoxypropp-ethyl (Acclaim Extra), quinclorac(Drive), a new liquid formulation ofquinclorac for 2008 called

Accelerate

by BASF, and dithiopyr (Dimension)for early post control and apreemergence barrier the remainder ofthe season. The new Syngentaherbicide,

mesotrione (Tenacity),

willcontrol crabgrass postemergence butwill require a second application at 2-3weeks. Also, remember that Drive canbe used postemergence on youngseedling turf for annual grasses andbroadleafs at 30 days afteremergence.(continued on page 3)The herbicidal control of weeds inturfgrass is typically segmented intothe general categories of annualgrasses, perennial grasses,broadleaf weeds and sedges. Themost common annual grassy weedsin Ohio are crabgrass (large andsmooth), goosegrass, yellow foxtail,fall panicum, barnyardgrass andannual bluegrass (

Poa annua

). Thestandard control strategy for theannual grasses continues to be thepreemergence herbicide approach.The traditional preemergenceherbicides for 2008 include benefin(Balan), bensulide (Betasan andothers), pendimethalin (Pre-M,pendulum, and others), trifluralin +benefin (Team Pro), ditiopyr(Dimension) and prodiamine(Barricade). Peemergenceherbicides have not changed for thelast several years except for the newSyngenta herbicide,

mesotrione(Tenacity),

which is a selectivepreemergence and postemergenceherbicide for contact and residualcontrol of 11 monocots and 34 dicotsin turfgrasses. When appliedpreemergence, weeds absorbTenacity during emergence from thesoil. Tenacity is unique in that it canbe applied safely at the time ofseeding for preemergence control ofseveral annual grasses, broadleafweeds and sedges. It can also beapplied in established turfgrassstands in mixes with otherpreemergence herbicides likeprodiamine for early postemergencecrabgrass control and season-longpreemergence control.In the authors opinions, the keys tosuccessful preemergence crabgrasscontrol are: (1) proper timing prior toweed seed germination, (2) properuniformity of application especiallywith some of the recent ridingapplication equipment, (3) properwalking or riding traveling speed, (4)proper rate within the actualtraditional herbicide range, (5) anappropriate SGN value of 150 to 200(6-8 particles per square inch) for

Board of Directors

President

Todd Voss, Double Eagle Club

Vice President

Dan Walter, City of Blue Ash

Treasurer

Joe Enciso, Century Equipment

Immediate Past President

Mark Jordan, Westfield Companies C. C.

Executive Director

Kevin Thompson, OTF

Director of Education

Dr. John Street, The Ohio State University

Trustees

Mike Dietrich, John Deere LandscapesKyle Frederick, Rattlesnake Ridge G.C.Doug Gallant, The Cincinnati RedsMark Grunkemeyer, Buckeye EcoCareKim Kellogg, Grasshopper Property Maint.Don Lawrence, Red Hawk Run G.C.Jason Straka, Hurdzan/Fry G.C. Design

The Newsletter of the Ohio Turfgrass FoundationOSU Turfgrass Science Team

Horticulture and Crop Science

Dr. Karl DannebergerDr. David GardnerDr. Ray MillerDr. John StreetDeborah HoldrenPamela SherrattMatt Williams

Entomology

Dr. Parwinder GrewalDr. David ShetlarDan DigmanJoAnne Kick-RaackKevin Power

Plant Pathology

Dr. Mike BoehmTodd HicksJoe Rimelspach

School of Natural Resources

Dr. Ed McCoy

Agricultural Technical Institute

Dr. Daniel VoltzDavid Willoughby

Intramural Sports

John Mott

Athletics

Dennis BowsherBrian Gimbel

International Programs

Mike O’Keeffe

April 2008

Page 1

TURFGRASS WEED CONTROL AND HERBICIDE UPDATE

–

2008

John R. Street, D.S. Gardner, D.D. Holdren and P.J. SherrattDepartment of Horticulture and Crop ScienceOhio Turfgrass Foundation888-683-3445www.OhioTurfgrass.org

LAWN CARE TIPSPreemergence Herbicide Applications on Areas that Need Overseeding

Dr. David Gardner, OSU Department of Horticulture & Crop Science

Think again if you were planning to apply apreemergence herbicide to turf that you arealso planning to overseed. The

Figure

shows the recommended reseedinginterval for the active ingredients used aspreemergence herbicides where coolseason turfgrasses are grown. These weretaken straight from the label of a productthat contains the herbicide. Note that mostof the intervals are long enough that, werethey to be applied in March or April, youwould not be able to safely overseed untilsummer.If you have small areas that are thin orbare, you may wish to apply thepreemergence herbicide and attempt tomanage the existing grass to fill in the barespot.

If it is a large area, then you areprobably best off overseeding and avoidingthe use of the herbicide.

Turf Tolerances to Preemergence Herbicides

Active (Example Products)

B l u e g r a s s R y e g r a s s T a l l F e s c u e F i n e F e s c u e

Reseeding

Interval†

Bensulide (Betasan, Bensumec) -

Controls

P.annua

, others



4 monthsEthofumasate (Prograss) -

Controls

P.annua

, other weeds



6 weeksBenefin (Balan, LESCO Benefin 2.5G)



6-16 weeksOryzalin (Surflan, XL

–

combination product with benefin)



6-16 weeksPendimethalin (Pendulum, LESCO Pre-M, PROTURF)



3 monthsProdiamine (Barricade)



4-6 monthsTrifluralin (Team-

combination product with Benefin)



8-16 weeksSiduron (Tupersan) -

Safe to turfgrass seedlings. Consult label



Safe to mostseedlingsOxadiazon (Chipco Ronstar) -

Controls goosegrass and other weeds



4 monthsDithiopyr (Dimension) -

Pre + Post-emergence



6 weeks to 4months

† Stated res

eeding interval is for one example product only and this can vary among brands orformulations of the same active ingredient. Always consult the label of the product you are usingfor specifics prior to application.

Alternatively, note that siduron is safe for use on seedling turf. Follow thelabel directions carefully. When used properly, siduron will reducecrabgrass, goosegrass, foxtail, and many summer annual broadleaf weedsby about 80%.

GOLF TURF TIPSTenacity Herbicide

–

A New Option When Overseeding on Golf Courses

Dr. David Gardner, OSU Department of Horticulture & Crop Science

Tenacity herbicide is a new product from Syngenta thatcontains the active ingredient mesotrione. This active is ina unique class of chemistry and this product has a verydiverse label, including pre- and post emergence controlof both broadleaf weeds and annual grasses. It alsocontrols sedges preemergence and certain perennialweedy grasses postemergence. Unfortunately, it is notyet labeled for use on commercial turf or sports fields.But, the product was recently labeled for use on golfcourses and label changes are pending to allow its use onother turf areas. One of its key uses will be thepreemergence control of annual grassy and broadleafweeds in newly seeded turfgrass. When used as directed,Tenacity herbicide will result in nearly complete control ofcrabgrass, goosegrass, foxtail, and many summer annualbroadleaf weeds. But, it will not affect the growth anddevelopment of the seedling turf

Control of crabgrass and other weeds was nearly 100%when Tenacity herbicide was applied at seeding. Perennialryegrass was seeded into the area, lightly incorporated andthen Tenacity was sprayed over the top. Photographs taken14 days later

Untreated Plot Plot Treated with TenacityHerbicide

Page 2

TURFGRASS WEED CONTROL AND HERBICIDE UPDATE

–

2008

Continued from page 1.Herbicidal approaches for annual bluegrass (

Poa annua

) haven’t changed for 2008

with two major options: (1)preemergence herbicides applied spring and/or fall and (2) postemergence strategies with either ethofumesate(Prograss) or

bispyribac-sodium (Velocity).

With Velocity, frequent, light applications in late spring or summerappear to work best. The non-herbicidal approach continues to be the consistent use of type-II PGRs like Trimmit andCutless.The traditional list of non-selective herbicides for postemergence grassy weed control have not changed for 2008 andinclude the contact herbicides diquat (Reward), pelargonic acid (Scythe), and glufosinate-ammoniun (Finale). Thetraditional non-selective systemic herbicide continues to be glyphosate (Roundup and Roundup Pro).In addition, several selective, postemergence herbicides have recently become available for perennial grassy weedcontrol and include (1)

Sulfosulfuron (Certainty)

from Monsanto labeled for yellow nutsedge, tall fescue, roughbluegrass and several other weeds, (2)

mesotrione (Tenacity)

from Syngenta labeled for creeping bentgrass,nimblewill, and numerous broadleaf weeds (a total of 11 monocots and 34 dicots), and (3) chlorsulfuron (Corsair) forselective control of tall fescue..

Postemergence applications with Tenacity require a second application at 2-3 weekswith most weeds.

Halosulfuron (Sedgehammer)

from Gowan Co. is labeled for postemergence yellow nutsedgecontrol and replaces the Monsanto product Manage.Finally, new broadleaf weed herbicides in 2008 in addition to Tenacity are

penoxsulam

(

Lockout)

by Dow

for granularpostemergence dandelion control and

pyraflufen ethyl (Octane)

, a contact herbicide similar to carfentrazone.However, several new herbicide combinations will be available in 2008 using existing herbicide technology. Thesecombinations are derived from the major broadleaf herbicide families that include the phenoxies, dicamba, pyridinoxiesand triazolinones. A classical example is the 4-way combination from each of the latter groups

Q4 ( 2,4-D, dicamba,quinclorac and sulfentrazone).

SPORTS TURF TIPSHelpful Hints for EstablishingTurfgrass in the Spring

Pam Sherratt & John R. Street, OSUDepartment of Horticulture & CropScience

Bare spots on playing fields not onlyaffect player performance and safetybut they are prone to soil erosion andrun-off during rain. Establishing newgrass in those areas can be achallenge, especially if water is limited.

Sod*

provides immediate turf coverand prevents any soil erosion. Sod canbe costly but it is the most effectiveway to have a Kentucky bluegrass turfwithout dealing with slow seedestablishment and weedencroachment.

Seed

is the most cost-effective way tofill bare spots but it requires good soilpreparation and after-care for it to be

successful. Applying “starter” fertilizer

is critical. Keeping the seed moist untilit germinates is also the key tosuccess.There are several moisture & heatconserving covers available:

Page 3

Ready-made Renovation Mixes:

Commercially available, spreadablemixes that contain paper or wood pulp,seed, polymers/tackifiers and starterfertilizer or biostimulants. Examples:PennMulch® and Seed Aide®. On alarger scale,

Hydromulch/Hydroseed

can beapplied. Advances in hydromulchinginclude herbicide mixes, naturalorganics, and drought-resistantpolymers.

Straw:

Typical app. rates = 80lbs/1,000 sq.ft. or 1 bale/1,000 sq.ft.Inexpensive, readily available and easyto apply, straw can be left to degradeand be mulched with mowers once turfhas established. Do not use straw thatcontains weed seeds (oats/crop seedsmight germinate but will be eradicatedonce mowing starts).

Compost

(e.g. Milorganite) eitherspread as a topdressing or in pelletizedform with the seed conserves heat,moisture and releases nutrients

Topsoil (Figure 1) or Sand:

Matchtopdressing soil with existing soil onthe field. OSU Extension Service canhelp in the selection process.Topdressing offers additional benefits,such as smoothing-out fieldundulations and improving waterinfiltration rates of finer-textured soils.

Growth blanket:

Biodegradable (e.g.coconut mat) or permanent woven-mesh fabric. Fabric covers cost money

but don’t necessarily need to cover the

whole field - smaller sections can beused for goal mouths, sidelines andexit points. They are lightweight andoffer many uses: seed establishment,quick greening in spring, extended fallcolor, and keeping traffic off renovatedareas.*To find suppliers of sod,hydromulching services, fertilizer and

seed mixes, refer to the “businesscategory” in

the OTF MembershipDirectory: www.ohioturfgrass.org

Figure 1:

Soccer goal area seeded,dressed with starter fertilizer andtopdressed with good quality topsoil.Flags are an attempt to keep traffic off.