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SUGGESTED WEED CONTROL CALENDAR FOR BERMUDAGRASS ATHLETIC FIELDS
Tim R. Murphy, Extension Weed Scientist
The University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service
April 2008
READ THE LABEL OF ALL HERBICIDES THAT WILL BE USED ON THE FIELD.
Labels for the herbicides discussed below may be obtained at www.cdms.net.
NOTE: ALL HERBICIDE RATES ARE EXPRESSED ON A PER ACRE BASIS
Month |
Recommended Weed Control Practice |
November |
Apply 1.0 qt of simazine or atrazine 4L (or equivalent amount of other simazine or Aatrex formulations) to control winter annual weeds such as 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 |
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/Blade 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
|
If wild garlic was treated with 2,4-D or "Trimec" type product, repeat the application 6 to 8 weeks after the first application. If winter annual weeds emerge following the November application of simazine or Aatrex, apply an additional 1.0 pound ai./acre of either herbicide. If field has received application of 2,4-D or "Trimec" type product, Image, Blade/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.
February 1 |
Apply a 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 damaged, select any preemergence herbicide. Scout the field for the presence of winter annual grasses such as Italian ryegrass and annual bluegrass, and winter annual broadleaf weeds such as lawn burweed and henbit. Control winter annual grasses with Monument, Revolver or TranXit. Control of most emerged winter annual broadleaf weeds can be achieved with a single application of Manor/Blade and Monument. Alternatively, two applications (3 weeks apart) of a “Trimec” type product may be use for broadleaf weed control. |
May |
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. Use two applications 7 to 10 days apart. Sencor should be used only on bermudagrass that is close to or has achieved complete soil coverage. Turf will be temporarily injured. Revolver at 17.4 to 26.2 fl. ozs. may be used for the control emerged goosegrass. Use two applications 7 to 14 days apart. For broadleaf weeds, use an amine formulation of 2,4-D or "Trimec" type product, Manor/Blade or Monument. |
June |
If nutsedge or kyllinga becomes a problem, apply Monument at 0.33 to 0.56 oz., Image at 2.0 pints + 2.67 pints of MSMA or Certainty at 1.25 ozs. Add surfactant as shown on herbicide label. Monthly applications of MSMA can be used for partial control of sedges. Basagran T/O at 3.0 pints can be used to control yellow nutsedge and various annual sedges. Additionally, SedgeHammer at 0.67 to 1.33 ounces + 0.5% v/v nonionic surfactant can be used for yellow and purple nutsedge and kyllinga control. SedgeHammer, Monument and Certainty will cause less injury (yellowing) to bermudagrass than Image and MSMA. Refer to the 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 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-fourth to 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 on off-days (days the field is not use).
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