Dithiopyr and dinitroanilines are preemergence-applied, mitotic-inhibiting herbicides used to control goosegrass [Eleusine indica (L.) Gaertn.] in turfgrass. A suspected resistant E. indica population was collected from a golf course putting green and was evaluated for possible resistance to dithiopyr and prodiamine. After dose–response evaluation, the α-tubulin gene was sequenced for known target-site mutations that have been reported to confer resistance to mitotic-inhibiting herbicides. A mutation was discovered that resulted in an amino acid substitution at position 136 from leucine to phenylalanine (Leu-136-Phe). Previous research has indicated that Leu-136-Phe does confer resistance to dinitroaniline herbicides. The level of resistance indicated by regression models and I50 values indicates that there is 54.1-, 4.7-, >100-, and >100-fold resistance to dithiopyr, prodiamine, pendimethalin, and oryzalin, respectively, when compared with the susceptible population based on seedling emergence response and 88.4-, 7.8-, >100-, and >100-fold resistance to dithiopyr, prodiamine, pendimethalin, and oryzalin, respectively, when compared with the susceptible population based on biomass reduction response. This is the first report of less resistance to prodiamine compared with pendimethalin or oryzalin due to a target-site α-tubulin mutation and the first report of a target-site α-tubulin mutation associated with dithiopyr resistance.

Broadleaf weed control and tulip, daffodil, and iris response to alachlor, dithiopyr, diuron, isoxaben, napropamide, oryzalin, oxadiazon, oxyfluorfen, pendimethalin, pronamide, and thiazopyr applied preemergence were evaluated. All herbicides controlled broadleaf weeds for five months after application, but control with oxyfluorfen, pendimethalin, alachlor, pronamide, and napropamide decreased six months after application. The greatest weed control was with oxadiazon, isoxaben, thiazopyr, dithiopyr, and diuron, whereas the least weed control was with napropamide and alachlor. In general, tulip was more sensitive to herbicides than daffodil and iris. All herbicides injured tulips at early growth stages but bulb yield of tulip was reduced only by oxadiazon, oxyfluorfen at 0.28 kg ai/ha, pronamide, and dithiopyr. Tulip flower quality was reduced only by oxadiazon, oxyfluorfen at 0.28 lb/ha, and pronamide. Daffodil and iris were tolerant to thiazopyr, isoxaben, pronamide, alachlor, oryzalin, napropamide, and diuron.

Green kyllinga is a relatively new weed species in well-irrigated turfs in the southwest US. To understand the germination requirements of green kyllinga, the effects of planting depth, temperature, pH, and osmotic potential were determined. Green kyllinga emergence was sensitive to planting depth. At 21 days after planting (DAP), emergence of green kyllinga was 60% when planted at the soil surface but only 20% at 0.5 cm and less than 5% at 1 cm. Germination occurred at temperatures between 17 and 30 C but was notably better between 20 and 24 C. Germination was uniform from pH 5.5 to 9.5. Germination decreased between the water potentials −0.1 to −0.6 MPa, although germination was high at water potentials found in irrigated turf. The environmental conditions found in nonstressed turf areas in Arizona will likely support the establishment of green kyllinga. The efficacy of herbicides for the control of green kyllinga was also determined. Control of kyllinga (95% or greater) was obtained with preemergence applications of oxadiazon, dithiopyr, and metolachlor, and with postemergence applications of DSMA, halosulfuron-methyl, and imazaquin.

Control of goosegrass and large crabgrass with different preemergence herbicides for the initial and sequential application was studied at four locations in Indiana. Pendimethalin at 1.1 kg ai ha-1 was used as the initial application in all treatments. Sequential treatments applied 6 wk after the initial treatment consisted of: 2.2 kg ha-1 benefin; 1.4/0.7 kg ha-1 benefin/trifluralin; 8.4 kg ha-1 bensulide; 11.8 kg ha-1 DCPA; 0.6 kg ha-1 dithiopyr; 2.2 kg ha-1 oxadiazon; 1.1 kg ha-1 pendimethalin; or 0.6 kg ha-1 prodiamine. Dithiopyr at 0.6 kg ha-1 with no initial application was also included. Highest large crabgrass control ratings were obtained through September with pendimethalin + pendimethalin, pendimethalin + dithiopyr, and dithiopyr alone postemergence. All other sequential applications tested improved control over a single application of 1.1 kg ha-1 pendimethalin, but rarely gave adequate season long control.

The influence of PRE herbicides on rooting characteristics of bermudagrass turfgrass was studied using sod plugs removed from the field. Greenhouse root fresh weight was reduced the greatest with dithiopyr or prodiamine. Pendimethalin caused fewer fresh weight reductions compared to dithiopyr or prodiamine and these reductions were usually for a short period. Root weight loss was due to lower root density and root malformation. Significant numbers of malformed roots were also observed for greater periods of time where dithiopyr or prodiamine had been applied.

PRE and POST herbicides were evaluated for their effects on root growth of Kentucky bluegrass and tall fescue turf. All PRE treatments, bensulide at 14.0 kg ai ha−1, DCPA at 11.8 kg ha−1, dithiopyr at 0.4 kg ha−1, pendimethalin at 1.7 kg ha−1, and prodiamine at 0.6 kg ha−1, inhibited root growth when cores, 10 cm in diam and 2.5 cm deep, of herbicide-treated Kentucky bluegrass were placed into pots of perlite. Only prodiamine inhibited tall fescue rooting. None of the PRE treatments reduced rooting of grasses when 10-cm diam and 16-cm deep cores were sampled from the field. No differences in rooting were observed among any of the POST treatments on either species.

The efficacy of two applications of several PRE herbicides for extended control of long-stalked phyllanthus and leafflower were evaluated under container nursery conditions at two climatically different sites in Florida. Prodiamine at 4.5 kg ai/ha provided the longest and most consistent reductions in number, percent coverage (visual) of the medium, and dry weight of both species. Ten weeks of excellent PRE control (percent medium coverage ≤ 10%; number of weeds reduced by ≥ 70%) of both species was obtained at one site after the first and second applications of prodiamine at 2.2 or 4.5 kg ai/ha; two applications were required at the second site for similar control. Rates of the other herbicides were generally too low for excellent control of both species after one application, the exceptions being dithiopyr at 4.5 kg ai/ha and the preformulated combination of isoxaben and oryzalin (1.1 and 3.4 kg ai/ha, respectively). These herbicides provided good (10% < percent medium coverage ≤ 20%; number of weeds reduced by ≥ 70%) to excellent PRE control of long-stalked phyllanthus after the first and second applications at one site. Percent coverage of the medium by either species in untreated containers was 96 to 100%.

Field and greenhouse studies were conducted to evaluate selected PRE-applied herbicides for sprangletop control. In greenhouse studies, oxadiazon and dithiopyr provided excellent (> 89%) red sprangletop (L. filiformis) control. Pendimethalin and metolachlor + atrazine provided good (80–89%) to excellent control for 6 mo and 2 mo during studies 1 and 2, respectively. Isoxaben and atrazine provided poor (< 70%) control during both greenhouse studies. In field studies, good to excellent bearded sprangletop (L. fascicularis) control followed dithiopyr, pendimethalin, metolachlor, and metolachlor + atrazine treatments. Dithiopyr at 0.8 kg ai/ha provided best (> 95%) sprangletop control throughout the 6-mo testing period. Under field conditions, control was inconsistent following oxadiazon with good to excellent control during one study and poor control in another study. Better or equal control than metolachlor + atrazine followed dithiopyr, pendimethalin, and metolachlor alone treatments. Oxadiazon also provided similar or better control than metolachlor+atrazine in three of four studies. Over all studies, dithiopyr provided best sprangletop control, followed by metolachlor, metolachlor + atrazine, pendimethalin, and oxadiazon. Isoxaben and atrazine treatments provided poorest or inconsistent sprangletop control.

Grower response from a mail survey indicated that musk thistle is a common and spreading problem in Tennessee nurseries. Poor herbicide selection and timing were reasons for the lack of control in most nurseries. At 31 wk after treatment preemergence herbicides or herbicide mixtures that gave 80% or greater musk thistle control in evaluation studies were atrazine, simazine, simazine + metolachlor (1.1 + 4.4 kg ai ha-1), oryzalin + isoxaben, or dithiopyr. Oryzalin, metolachlor, napropamide, or simazine + metolachlor (0.5 + 2.2 kg ha-1) gave 65, 35, 0 and 78% control of musk thistle, respectively. Glyphosate or SC-0224 at 1.7 and 2.2 kg ha-1 gave 89% or greater control of emerged musk thistle. Lactofen or HOE-39866 at 0.8 kg ha-1 gave less than 66% control of emerged musk thistle at 8 wk after treatment.

Annual, cylindric, and globe sedges were controlled > 90% with a single application of MSMA at 2.2 kg ai/ha in field studies. But this same treatment controlled fragrant and green kyllingas only 69 and 52%, respectively. Control was increased to 82 and 81%, respectively, with a repeat application. Other postemergence-applied (POST) herbicides evaluated included bentazon, halosulfuron, imazapic, imazaquin, and CGA-362622. Postemergence-applied herbicides were applied either once or twice, as well as alone and in combination with MSMA. In general, a sequential application of MSMA, either alone or in combination with any of the aforementioned herbicides, except bentazon, provided maximum control of the sedge and kyllinga species evaluated. Preemergence-applied (PRE) oxadiazon and S-metolachlor, controlled annual sedge ≥ 94% at 7 wk after treatment (WAT) in field studies and 96 and 70% at 9 WAT, respectively. Dithiopyr and prodiamine provided 86 to 80% control of annual sedge over the 9-wk rating period. In a hydroponic-type laboratory study, oxadiazon and S-metolachlor were more effective than atrazine, bensulide, imazaquin, oryzalin, or simazine, in reducing seedling development of annual, cylindric, and globe sedges, and green kyllinga.

Three experiments were conducted to evaluate early POST control of yellow woodsorrel using PRE-applied herbicides. In experiment 1, yellow woodsorrel was seeded at two dates in a commercial pine-bark substrate and grown until reaching either the cotyledon–one-leaf (C-1L) or two- to four-leaf (2-4L) growth stage. The herbicides isoxaben, indaziflam, and dimethenamid-p were applied at these growth stages. Two rates of isoxaben and indaziflam provided yellow woodsorrel control (≥ 80% reduction in fresh weight [FW]) when applied at the C-1L stage; however, once yellow woodsorrel reached the 2-4L stage, indaziflam was the only herbicide that provided effective control at both rates tested. Experiments 2 and 3 were similar to experiment 1, except two labeled rates of dithiopyr were also evaluated. In experiment 2, all herbicides evaluated provided ≥ 90% reduction in FW of yellow woodsorrel at the C-1L stage. Although no differences in FW were observed among any of the herbicide treatments when yellow woodsorrel were treated at the 2-4L stage, control ratings indicated that indaziflam provided the most effective yellow woodsorrel control. Experiment 3 results also indicated that isoxaben, indaziflam, and dithiopyr controlled yellow woodsorrel (≥ 95% reduction in FW) when treatments were applied at the C-1L stage, whereas dimethenamid-p reduced shoot FW 70%. When yellow woodsorrel was treated after reaching the 2-4L stage, indaziflam provided the greatest control of any herbicide evaluated.

Competition from large crabgrass is often responsible for the establishment failure of spring-seeded cool-season turfgrasses. The objective of this study was to determine how soon after seedling emergence dithiopyr could be applied without causing unacceptable damage to Kentucky bluegrass. Dithiopyr at 0.28 and 0.56 kg/ha was applied at various times prior to seeding and after emergence of Kentucky bluegrass in the field and greenhouse. Dithiopyr damaged Kentucky bluegrass seedlings in the greenhouse when applied earlier than 10 d after emergence (DAE) at 0.28 kg/ha and 14 DAE at 0.56 kg/ha. In the field study with heavy large crabgrass infestation, no significant phytotoxicity or long-term thinning occurred with any application of dithiopyr after emergence of Kentucky bluegrass. Dithiopyr applied as early as 3 DAE improved cover of Kentucky bluegrass by reducing competition from large crabgrass. When seeding is done early in spring before large crabgrass germination, dithiopyr could be applied at 0.28 kg/ha 10 DAE or at 0.56 kg/ha 14 DAE without risk of injury. Dithiopyr could be applied as early as 3 DAE on sites with heavy large crabgrass pressure or to late spring seedings when large crabgrass is germinating because the risk of turf thinning is warranted given the benefit of reduced large crabgrass competition for the desired turf.

Dithiopyr provides PRE and early POST control of smooth crabgrass, but POST efficacy is often inconsistent on tillered plants. Experiments were conducted to evaluate the interaction of temperature and growth stage on dithiopyr efficacy, absorption, translocation, and metabolism in smooth crabgrass. In greenhouse experiments, I50 (predicted rate to induce 50% injury) measured < 0.14, 0.14, and 0.15 kg ha−1 at low temperatures (average 23 C) for multi-leaf, one-tiller, and multi-tiller smooth crabgrass, respectively, while I50 measured < 0.14, 0.88, and > 2.24 kg ha−1 at high temperatures (average 32 C), respectively. Multi-tiller (three to five tillers) smooth crabgrass absorbed more root applied 14C-dithiopyr than multi-leaf (three to four leaves) and one-tiller plants, but specific radioactivity (Bq mg−1) was two to three times greater in multi-leaf plants compared to tillered plants. Smooth crabgrass treated at 15/10 C (day/night) had ≈ two times greater specific radioactivity following root applied 14C-dithiopyr than at 30/25 C. Radioactivity distribution to shoots from root applications measured 43, 30, and 20% of the total absorbed for multi-leaf, one-tiller, and multi-tiller plants, respectively. Smooth crabgrass had two times more foliar absorption of 14C-dithiopyr at 15/10 than 30/25 C while 14C losses were greater at 30/25 than 15/10 C. Smooth crabgrass metabolism of 14C-dithiopyr was ≈ two times greater at 30/25 than 15/10 C, and multi-leaf plants averaged 10 to 20% more metabolism than tillered plants at 7 d after treatment. Results suggest differential absorption, translocation, and metabolism may contribute to dithiopyr efficacy on smooth crabgrass at various growth stages, but use under high temperatures (30/25 C) could increase losses from volatilization, reduce foliar absorption, and increase metabolism compared to cooler temperatures (15/10 C).

Bensulide and dithiopyr may be used in late summer–fall as a preventative treatment to reduce the potential of annual bluegrass encroachment onto newly constructed or renovated creeping bentgrass putting greens. In 1999, no herbicide treatment reduced bentgrass cover or root mass 1 mo after treatment (MAT). In April of 2000, root mass was lower with bensulide applied at 11.2 kg/ha in October and 22.4 kg/ha applied at both timings or by dithiopyr applied at all rates and timings compared with the untreated bentgrass. In April, bentgrass cover was reduced by bensulide applied at 22.4 kg/ha and dithiopyr applied at 0.4 and 0.8 kg/ha at both timings. In contrast to 1999, significant reductions in root mass were observed 1 MAT in 2000 with bensulide applied at 22.4 kg/ ha and all rates of dithiopyr. Reductions in root mass and bentgrass cover continued into April of 2001 with dithiopyr at 0.4 or 0.8 kg/ha applied at either application timing. Bentgrass cover was lower than the untreated with dithiopyr applied at 0.8 kg/ha until August of 2001. These results suggest that bensulide may be used on creeping bentgrass greens in late summer–fall with a greater degree of safety than dithiopyr.

Goosegrass is a problematic weed in turfgrass, and overuse of dinitroaniline (dna) herbicides has resulted in evolution of resistant populations. The objectives of this research were to (1) evaluate responses of a susceptible (S) goosegrass compared to a suspected resistant (R) biotype from Griffin, GA to prodiamine, and (2) evaluate efficacy of various PRE herbicides for control. Prodiamine rates required for 50% control and 50% shoot reductions after 6 wk for R-goosegrass measured > 13.44 and 3.2 kg ai ha−1, respectively, whereas rates for the S-population measured 0.45 and < 0.42 kg ha−1, respectively. In field experiments, sequential applications of dithiopyr and prodiamine provided < 20% control of R-goosegrass over 2 yr. Single applications of dimethenamid-P at 1.68 kg ai ha−1 provided < 50% goosegrass control in 2011 but provided excellent control (≥ 90%) at 7 mo after initial treatments (MAIT) in 2012. Single and sequential applications of indaziflam provided excellent control of goosegrass in both years, and oxadiazon controlled goosegrass > 85% at 7 MAIT in 2011 and ≥ 90% in 2012. Single and sequential PRE sulfentrazone applications controlled goosegrass < 60% in 2011 but averaged 94% control in 2012. Overall, indaziflam and oxadiazon provided good (80 to 89%) to excellent control of dna-resistant goosegrass in both years, but dimethenamid and sulfentrazone were inconsistent.

Amicarbazone and indaziflam are relatively new herbicides that provide effective control of important weed species in turfgrass. A concern for golf course superintendents and turfgrass managers is the lack of information about runoff risk of these two herbicides, which is a limitation to their proper and safe use. The objectives of this research were (1) to compare lateral movement in surface soil of amicarbazone and indaziflam to other commonly used PRE herbicides in turfgrass (i.e., dithiopyr, prodiamine, pronamide, simazine) and (2) to determine whether incorporating the herbicide with irrigation before a simulated storm event reduces lateral movement. Herbicides were applied at full label rates in two locations (Jay and Milton, FL) with 14% slope, and lateral movement was evaluated using perennial ryegrass and annual bluegrass as bioindicators. Incorporating PRE herbicides with irrigation a few hours before a major simulated storm event did not reduce lateral movement of any of the herbicides evaluated. All herbicides moved outside the treated area regardless of the presence of a simulated storm event. Herbicide lateral movement varied from 61 to 153 cm in Jay, and from 5 to 103 cm in Milton. The Milton location had higher sand content and lower organic matter content than Jay, which favored water infiltration. No herbicide effects were observed 210 cm downslope from the treated area. On the basis of our results, the ranking from highest to lowest lateral movement was pronamide > simazine ≥ indaziflam > amicarbazone ≥ dithiopyr > prodiamine. The difference in lateral movement was approximately 60 to 80 cm between pronamide and prodiamine depending on location and evaluation timing for the 14% slope at the study sites. The results of the present study provide guidance for golf course superintendents and turfgrass managers to determine buffer zones in sensitive areas.

Bamboos are grass species that can escape cultivation and invade lawns, landscapes, and other areas. Limited information is available on ways to control invasive bamboo species. Greenhouse and field studies were initiated to determine the level of bamboo control provided by a single application of selected PRE and POST herbicides. Bamboo species included in the study were golden bamboo in greenhouse experiments and red-margined bamboo in field experiments. In greenhouse trials, MSMA, quinclorac, dithiopyr, clethodim, fenoxaprop, and sethoxydim did not control either species. Glyphosate, glufosinate, and fluazifop significantly reduced bamboo-shoot fresh weight, although regrowth occurred after a single application. In field trials, bamboo control with dichlobenil in the 2002 and 2004 experiments was less than 23%. For the study initiated in 2002, glyphosate and imazapyr provided 76% and 98% bamboo control, respectively, at 58 wk after treatment (WAT). By 161 WAT (approximately 3 yr after treatment), bamboo-control ratings were 40% with glyphosate and 85% with imazapyr. For the study initiated in 2004, at 61 WAT, glyphosate and imazapyr provided 46 and 88% control of bamboo, respectively.

Greenhouse studies verified that smooth crabgrass from a golf course tee in southern New Jersey was resistant to fenoxaprop-P, although smooth crabgrass from a nearby untreated rough was susceptible to this herbicide. Fenoxaprop-P-resistant plants were injured, however, when fenoxaprop-P was applied at levels above the maximum use rate for turf. Fenoxaprop-P applied postemergence at 0.76 kg ai/ha, four times the maximum rate, reduced shoot weight of the resistant biotype by 35%, whereas application of 1.52 kg/ha, eight times the maximum rate, reduced shoot weight by 64%. Large crabgrass and the susceptible biotype of smooth crabgrass were controlled by fenoxaprop-P applied at 0.1 kg/ha. Fenoxaprop-susceptible and -resistant biotypes of smooth crabgrass had a similar response to MSMA, dithiopyr, and quinclorac applied postemergence. The fenoxaprop-P–resistant smooth crabgrass biotype was controlled by the cyclohexanedione herbicides sethoxydim and clethodim, but the aryloxyphenoxypropionate herbicides fluazifop and quizalofop reduced shoot weight by only 15 to 66% depending on herbicide and rate.

Preemergence (PRE) herbicides may affect the ability to reestablish warm-season turfgrasses in winter-injured areas. Experiments were conducted in 1996 and 1997 to evaluate the effects of fall or spring applications of six PRE herbicides on the vegetative establishment of Tifway bermudagrass, and Meyer and El Toro zoysiagrass. PRE herbicides were applied at the recommended rates during the fall of 1995 and 1996 and at recommended or reduced rates during the spring of 1996 and 1997. Oxadiazon, benefin plus trifluralin, or oryzalin did not inhibit Tifway bermudagrass or zoysiagrass sprig establishment. Fall applications of prodiamine and dithiopyr at full rates suppressed Tifway bermudagrass establishment as much as 25%, but recovery was evident by the end of the growing season. Reduced spring rates of prodiamine diminished its suppressive effects on Tifway establishment. Zoysiagrass establishment was suppressed as much as 20% by full or reduced rates of prodiamine but was less affected by dithiopyr. Pendimethalin had lesser and briefer suppressive effects than prodiamine and dithiopyr had on either species. Results suggested that avoidance of or reduced rates of prodiamine or dithiopyr may be warranted in areas prone to winter injury.

Greenhouse experiments were conducted to determine the effects of herbicide placement on POST smooth crabgrass and annual bluegrass control. Soil-plus-foliar, soil-only, and foliar-only applications of indaziflam (52.5 g ai ha−1), dithiopyr (560 ai g ha−1), or quinclorac (840 g ai ha−1) were made to one-tiller smooth crabgrass plants. Similarly, indaziflam (52.5 g ha−1), foramsulfuron (29 g ai ha−1), or prodiamine (840 g ai ha−1) were applied to nontillering annual bluegrass plants in an identical manner. No differences in smooth crabgrass control were detected between soil-plus-foliar and soil-only applied indaziflam from 21 to 35 d after treatment (DAT). By 28 DAT, smooth crabgrass control and biomass reductions with these indaziflam treatments were ≥ 90% and not different than quinclorac. Comparatively, smooth crabgrass control with foliar-only applications of indaziflam never exceeded 28%. Responses on annual bluegrass were similar as soil-plus-foliar and soil-only applied indaziflam exhibited greater efficacy than indaziflam applied foliar-only. By 28 DAT, annual bluegrass control and aboveground biomass reductions with soil-plus-foliar and soil-only treatments were ≥ 86% and not different from foramsulfuron. Comparatively, foliar-only applications of indaziflam controlled annual bluegrass ≤ 2%. These results indicate that root absorption is required for POST control of smooth crabgrass and annual bluegrass with indaziflam. Further research is needed to determine if techniques to enhance indaziflam contact with soil will enhance POST smooth crabgrass and annual bluegrass control in the field.