Evaluation of Legacy (SP5075) For Post Emergence Control of Annual Bluegrass In Overseeded Bermudagrass Turf: Weed Control and Turfgrass Performance

Abstract

SP 5075 (now commercially available as "Legacy" was evaluated as a post emergence herbicide on both non-overseeded and overseeded Tifway bermudagrass turf. From October 2007, to April 2008, monthly application rates of Legacy (alone) were applied at SP5075 @ 14.7 oz/product/acre, 22.1 oz/product/acre and at 29.4 oz/product/acre, along with SP5075 @ 14.7 oz/product/acre & Cutless @ 8.0 oz/product/acre, Primo Maxx alone at 22 oz/product/acre, and Cutless alone at 16 oz/product/acre. Chemical product applications did not affect emergence and treatments containing the formulated product of Legacy showed no inhibition. All treatments had enhanced turfgrass color over the UTC (untreated control) throughout all eight months of the test. The high rate of Legacy exhibited a brief decrease in density, color and quality form late November and into December. The high rate of Legacy produced the least amount of Poa annua cover, the greatest unmowed height suppression, the greatest seed head suppression and vegetative weed control of all treatments, and produced the least discontinuous surface. Cutless alone produced similar turf and Poa annua effects as the tank mix of Legacy at the low rate plus the inclusion of Cutless at 8.0 oz /prod/acre. The high rate of Legacy did not eliminate flowering, but postponed flowering of Poa annua well past the flushes of the UTC, noting that there was much less Poa annua present from this treatment when overseeded. Primo Maxx alone caused minimal seed head suppression of Poa annua, and minimal weed control of total Poa cover and seed heads. Best estimates of transition occurred on 30 June 2008, were treated overseeded turfs ranged from 58% to 80% bermudagrass cover, with 80% cover for Primo alone, with Cutless alone having 58% bermudagrass (UTC = 84%). Since the medium rate of Legacy produced similar Poa activity effects with better turf quality after overseeding (but then decreased in Poa activity afterwards), applications of the medium rate from initial overseed followed by subsequent applications at the high rate starting in January should be investigated for economic, turf performance and weed control performance.