Preemergence Herbicides Impact Nutrient Concentrations In Hybrid Bermudagrass.

Preemergence herbicides negatively impacting turfgrass root development may consequently reduce nutrient accumulation in foliar tissue. Research was conducted in 2012 to determine the effects of indaziflam (35 and 52.5 g ha^-1), prodiamine (0.84 kg ha^-1), oxadiazon (3.36 kg ha^-1), and isoxaben (1.12 kg ha^-1) applications on hybrid bermudagrass [C. dactylon (L.) Pers. x C. transvaalensis Burtt-Davey] tissue nutrient content. Hybrid bermudagrass was transplanted from washed sod into polyethylene containers filled with 10 L of Hoagland’s nutrient solution. Plants were allowed to acclimate for three weeks prior to herbicide treatment. Visual foliar injury and root mass were assessed weekly. Foliar and root biomass were also harvested at the conclusion of the study, dried, and weighed. Foliar tissue harvested was analyzed for macro- and micronutrient content. Prodiamine, indaziflam, and isoxaben reduced visual root mass relative to non-treated plants. Consequently, these herbicides reduced P, S, and K content in foliar tissue. Treatment with indaziflam reduced Mg and Mn content in foliar tissue compared to non-treated plants. This response was not observed with prodiamine and could explain the significant foliar injury (>70%) observed with both rates of indaziflam in this research. Data in the current study illustrate that preemergence herbicide applications affect hybrid bermudagrass nutrient content.