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.

Smutgrass, a native of tropical Asia, is a perennial weed that affects many improved perennial grass pastures in Florida and throughout the southeastern United States. The two varieties of smutgrass predominant in Florida are small smutgrass and giant smutgrass. Three field experiments were conducted from 2008 to 2012 to evaluate the effect of integrated long-term management strategies using both cultural and herbicide inputs for giant smutgrass control in bahiagrass pastures. Burning did not have a significant impact on long-term control. In 2011, no differences were observed when hexazinone was integrated with tillage or hexazinone was combined with supplemental nitrogen compared with sequential or single applications of hexazinone. However, cultural treatments that preceded hexazinone application compared with those that received two sequential applications of hexazinone had lower smutgrass control 36 mo after treatment. Data indicate that a sequential application of hexazinone may be better than implementing tillage. Sequential hexazinone applications, when applied at 0.56 kg ai ha−1 or greater, resulted in similar or increased control as compared with single applications. Collectively, these data suggest that sequential applications of hexazinone may be most effective for smutgrass management, and cultural techniques, including tillage, should be followed by hexazinone application the following year.