Published online by Cambridge University Press: 12 June 2017
The influence of herbicide formulation and time of herbicide application on smutgrass [Sporobolus poiretii (Roem. & Schult.) Hitchc.] control and phytotoxicity to the major perennial forage-grass species were determined. Dalapon (2,2-dichloropropionic acid) applied at rates of 4.8 kg/ha and higher gave excellent control regardless of time of application. However, 4.8 kg/ha dalapon applied to Pensacola bahiagrass (Paspalum notátum Flügg ‘Pensacola′) and bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] in the spring, and to tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb. ‘Ky 31′) in the fall and spring, was phytotoxic. Applications of tebuthiuron {N-[5-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl]-N,N′-dimethylurea} 80W (80% wettable powder) formulation at 2.4 kg/ha, or fertilizer coated with tebuthiuron at 2.4 kg/ha, gave excellent smutgrass control. The pelleted formulation of tebuthiuron was less phytotoxic to the forage species than the other formulations.