Giant smutgrass is a perennial, clump-type, grassy weed that commonly infests Florida pastures. Experiments were conducted in 1998 and 1999 in Immokalee, FL, to evaluate multiple mowing treatments in combination with hexazinone applications at 0.56 to 1.7 kg ai/ha, to control giant smutgrass and bahiagrass density. Mowing did not influence giant smutgrass control in 1998 or 1999. Hexazinone application increased giant smutgrass control at all application rates. In 1998, regression analysis determined that hexazinone applied at 0.56 kg/ha provided >90% control of giant smutgrass 182 d after treatment (DAT) and >80% control 321 DAT. Both 1.1 and 1.7 kg/ha of hexazinone provided >90% control for 365 DAT in 1998. In 1999, due in part to excessive rainfall, 0.56 kg/ha provided >80% control for only 48 DAT. It was also concluded that application rates of 0.83 to 0.98 kg/ha hexazinone were the lowest rates that consistently provided 80% or better control over both years. From 0 to 30 DAT, bahiagrass density increased by 17% for the 0.56 kg/ha rate and 2% at the 1.7 kg/ha rate. From 30 to 365 DAT, bahiagrass density increased at 0.04% per day compared with 0.1% per day for 0.56 and 1.7 kg/ha, respectively. Increased bahiagrass injury by the higher application rates of hexazinone was responsible for low levels of bahiagrass growth from 0 to 30 DAT. However, bahiagrass soon recovered from injury, and the higher application rates resulted in a more rapid rate of bahiagrass spread, likely due to less competition of giant smutgrass in plots treated with 1.1 and 1.7 kg/ha rates. These data prove that mowing prior to hexazinone application is an unwarranted expense, and that the 1.1 kg/ha rate provided the most effective and consistent giant smutgrass control with acceptable levels of bahiagrass injury.

Smutgrass is an invasive warm-season perennial bunch-type grass native to tropical Asia. The two varieties of smutgrass prevalent in Florida are small smutgrass and giant smutgrass. Laboratory seed germination experiments were conducted on both smutgrass varieties to determine the effect of various environmental factors on germination and emergence. The average germination rate for both varieties was 88% at 30/20 C day/night temperatures. Seed germination for both varieties was greater under simulated temperature flux than at constant temperatures. Seed of both varieties germinated at four simulated Florida temperature fluxes (22/11, 27/15, 33/24, and 29/19 C day/night), although the germination of small smutgrass and giant smutgrass was reduced at 33/24 and 22/11 C, respectively. Germination of small and giant smutgrass under dark conditions was 27 and 53%, respectively. Both smutgrass varieties germinated over a wide range of pH values. Small and giant smutgrass germination was inhibited at water potentials below −0.2 MPa and when small smutgrass seed was placed below the soil surface. Emergence of giant smutgrass seed did not occur below 3 cm. Both smutgrass varieties germinated over a broad range of environmental conditions, indicating their capability of year-round germination; however, germination is only likely to occur under field conditions during the summer growing season when rainfall is prevalent. These results indicate that both species have the ability to germinate over a wide range of environmental conditions but that germination is inhibited by moisture stress and depth of burial. Considering that giant smutgrass prefers higher temperatures than small smutgrass, the advent of rainfall from June through September is conducive for germination. Practices that focus on the germination pattern of smutgrass could lead to better long-term management of smutgrass in Florida.