Effects of Postemergence Herbicides on Centipedegrass Seed Production J. A. Ferrell, T. R. Murphy, W. K. Vencill University of Georgia
Centipedegrass popularity Propagated via seed or sod Low maintenance –Slow growth –Low nitrogen requirement Herbicide tolerance –Sethoxydim and clethodim –Halosulfuron
Changing Needs Traditional Emphasis Color Seedhead Suppression Weed Control Production Emphasis Seed Yield Seed Quality Weed Control
Digitaria sanguinalis
Cyperus esculentus
Objectives Determine the impact of herbicide and treatment timing on: Seedhead suppression Seed yield Seed quality
Herbicide Treatments Herbicides Clethodim Sethoxydim Halosulfuron Spray Timing -4 WPS* -2 WPS 0 WPS (Late July) 2 WPS 4 WPS * Weeks post seedhead emergence
Materials and Methods Macon County, Georgia seed farm –Greenville clay loam Established centipedegrass (cv. ‘TifBlair’) Irrigated, weed-free site Plot size – 6’ X 20’ 3 replications
Materials and Methods Clethodim – 0.25 lb ai A % v/v NIS Sethoxydim – 0.28 lb ai A -1 Halosulfuron – lb ai A % v/v NIS 25 GPA, flat fan nozzles, CO 2 backpack Seedhead suppression –0 to 100 scale 3 x 5 factorial Analysis: herbicide within treatment timing
Seedhead Suppression
TimingClethodimSethoxydimHalosulfuron 4 WBSNS 2 WBSNS 0 WBS NS 2 WPS NS 4 WPSNS NS – non significant
Seedhead Suppression (0 WPS) Herbicide2 WAT4 WAT % Clethodim Sethoxydim21333
Seedhead Suppression (2 WPS) Herbicide2 WAT4 WAT % Clethodim Sethoxydim180130
Seed Yield October 10, 2001 Harvested 2 randomly selected m 2 quadrants Seeds removed from heads with mechanical thrasher
Seed Yield
Seed Germination Conducted by Georgia State Seed Test Lab Conditions: –Covered petri dish with moist paper –Temperature – 20 to 35 o C –Counts – 7 and 21 days
Seed Germination
Conclusions Halosulfuron does not affect centipedegrass seed yield or germination Apply clethodim or sethoxydim as early as possible (minimum 4 WBS) Once seedheads emerge, use of clethodim or sethoxydim is not advisable
Future Centipedegrass Research Investigate effect of clethodim and sethoxydim in salvage situations (6, 8, 10 WPS) Effect of other commonly used herbicides on seed yield and quality Develop weed management systems in seedling centipedegrass
Acknowledgements Valent USA The Turfgrass Group Bill Nutt - technical assistance
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