330-6 Selective Bentgrass Removal From Perennial Ryegrass with Mesotrione ('Tenacity').



Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Henry Gonzalez Convention Center, Hall C, Street Level

Charles T. Golob, William J. Johnston, Matthew W. Williams and Christopher Proctor, PO Box 646420, Washington State University, Pullman, WA
A 4-year field study was conducted at the Washington State University Turfgrass and Agronomy Research Center at Pullman, WA, to develop a program to remove ‘T-1’ creeping bentgrass from ‘Gallery’ perennial ryegrass with mesotrione (‘Tenacity’4SC).  The perennial ryegrass stand was a green’s surround growing in a Palouse silt loam soil with bentgrass contamination (approx. 70%).  Following 2007 Tenacity applications and overseeding with ‘Auburn Trilogy’, the plots were divided in half; one half left untreated and the other half received multiple Tenacity applications in 2008.  Treatments were not applied in 2009, but were reapplied in 2010.  Treatments were made with a bicycle-wheeled CO2 pressurized sprayer with 11002 flat fan spray tips at 233 L ha-1.  Percentages of bentgrass cover and perennial ryegrass phytotoxicity were rated beginning at 1 wk after initial treatment (WAIT) up to 14 WAIT each year.  The experimental design was a randomized-complete block with four replications and experimental units were 1.8 x 2.4 m.  Not all of the creeping bentgrass was eliminated in 2007.  Tenacity applied four times at 140 g ai ha-1 in 2007 was more effective at reducing the amount of bentgrass than three applications at 140 or 175 g ai ha-1.  In 2008, 100% bentgrass control was achieved with Tenacity treatments applied four times each year at 140 g ai ha-1, or 3 times each year at 175 g ai ha-1.  Bentgrass cover increased in all plots during 2009, prior to reapplication in 2010; however, bentgrass cover was lowest in plots treated four times with 140 g ai ha-1 in 2007 and 2008.  In 2010, Tenacity applied four times at 140 g ai ha-1 resulted in complete bentgrass control by mid July.  Phytotoxicity on perennial ryegrass following Tenacity applications was low throughout the study.  Results indicate a multiple year Tenacity program with four applications in each of the first two years at 140 g ai ha-1 or 3 applications at 175 g ai ha-1, along with overseeding the first year, is necessary to achieve total bentgrass control.  Subsequent Tenacity applications in following years are needed to prevent creeping bentgrass re-infestation from occurring.
See more from this Division: C05 Turfgrass Science
See more from this Session: Turfgrass Ecology, Pest Management, and the Environment