Printable Version
PDF

Suggested Weed Control Calendar for Bermudagrass Athletic Fields

Tim R. Murphy, Extension Agronomist - Weed Science
The University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service
June 2001

NOTE: ALL HERBICIDE RATES ARE EXPRESSED ON A PER ACRE BASIS

Month Recommended Weed Control Practice

November

Henbit

 Apply 1.0 qt of simazine or atrazine 4L (or equivalent amount of other simazine or Aatrex formulations) to control winter annual weeds. Simazine and atrazine will control annual bluegrass, common chickweed, henbit and most other winter annuals. DO NOT apply to fields overseeded with perennial ryegrass. Simazine and atrazine will not control wild garlic, dandelion, plantains and most other perennial weeds.

Late November
through
December

Dandelion

 Apply 1.0 quart of 2,4-D (3.8 pound/gallon formulation) or a "Trimec" type product to control wild garlic (onions), dandelions and plantains. Add 0.25% v/v of a nonionic surfactant with 2,4-D or "Trimec" type product. 2,4-D and "Trimec" type products are safe to use on fall seeded ryegrass that has been mowed 4 to 5 times.

OR

Apply 2.0 pints of Image + 0.25% v/v nonionic surfactant to control wild garlic after the bermudagrass is dormant. Image will also control henbit, common chickweed, and parsley-piert. Alternatively, Manor at 0.33 to 0.5 ounces + 0.25% v/v nonionic surfactant can be used to control wild garlic, henbit, common chickweed, bittercress, lawn burweed, parsley-piert and certain other annual broadleaf weeds. DO NOT apply either product to fields overseeded with perennial ryegrass.

Mid-January to
Mid-February
Wild Garlic		 If wild garlic was treated with 2,4-D or "Trimec" type product, repeat the application 6 to 8 weeks after the first application.

Mid-February to
March 1		 If winter annual weeds emerge following the November application of simazine or Aatrex, apply an additional 1.0 pound ai. per acre of either herbicide. If field has received application of 2,4-D or "Trimec" type product, Image or Manor for wild garlic control, this application may not be necessary unless annual bluegrass is the predominant weed.

Other herbicides may be substituted for many of the uses discussed in this calendar. Refer to the current issue of the Georgia Pest Control Handbook.



Mid-February
to
March 15		 Apply a recommended preemergence herbicide for crabgrass and goosegrass control prior to March 15. If bermudagrass has been severely damaged from the fall sports program, use Ronstar. If field is not severely worn or damaged, select any preemergence herbicide.

NOTE: Certain preemergence herbicides (e.g. Balan, Surflan, others), are reapplied at an interval of 8 to 10 weeks following the March application for improved goosegrass control.

May
through
June		 If crabgrass, bahiagrass or dallisgrass becomes a problem, use MSMA at a rate of 1/3 gallon. (6.0 lbs./gal. formulation). If goosegrass becomes a problem, add 1.33 oz. of Sencor 75W Turf to recommended rate of MSMA. Repeat the application on a 7 to 10 day schedule. Sencor should be used only on bermudagrass that is close to or has achieved complete soil coverage. Turf will be temporarily injured. For broadleaf weeds, such as pennywort (dollarweed) and dichondra, use an amine formulation of 2,4-D or "Trimec" type product.

June
through
July
Yellow Nutsedge		 If nutsedge becomes a problem, apply Image at 2.0 pints + 1/3 gallon of MSMA + 0.25% v/v nonionic surfactant. Repeat applications of MSMA can be used for partial control of yellow and purple nutsedge. Basagran T/O at 3.0 pints can be used to control yellow nutsedge and various annual sedges. Additionally, Manage at 0.67 to 1.33 ounces + 0.5% v/v nonionic surfactant can be used for yellow and purple nutsedge control. Manage will cause less injury (yellowing) to bermudagrass and Image and MSMA. Refer to the specific herbicide label for information on repeating the herbicide application.

GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR HERBICIDE USE ON ATHLETIC FIELDS
1. Use a spray volume of 20 to 40 gpa.

2. Avoid the use of postemergence herbicides at air temperatures greater than 90o F. Herbicide injury usually increases at high air temperatures.

3. Avoid the use of postemergence herbicides, simazine and atrazine during the spring green-up of bermudagrass. Herbicide use at this time can temporarily injure bermudagrass (about one month) and retard spring green-up. Use herbicides at this time only if there is a severe weed infestation.

4. The re-entry restriction, or time interval, for all herbicides that are used on athletic fields in Georgia is 24 hours. The Georgia Department of Agriculture Posting Rule - Chapter 40-21-9 requires that athletic fields be posted with a sign informing the public that a herbicide (as well as any other pesticide) has been applied to the field. Players or spectators should not be allowed to enter a herbicide-treated field until 24 hours after herbicide application. Contact the Georgia Department of Agriculture for additional information.

5. Water-in all preemergence herbicides with one-half inch of irrigation water. This removes spray residues or granular materials from the foliage and prevents player contact with the herbicide.

6. Schedule herbicide applications during periods of time that players are not using the field.

7. READ THE LABEL OF ALL HERBICIDES THAT WILL BE USED ON THE FIELD.