Search

Herbicides are often used on lawn height turfgrass to manage weeds. This study compared various rates of Fiesta liquid and dry formulations to determine its effectiveness of controlling broadleaf weed populations on lawn-height turfgrass. To analyze control of weed populations, NDVI readings, point-quadrat weed counts, and visual ratings were used throughout the experiment. There were no significant differences in the NDVI values between the treatments and the control. The point-quadrat weed counts showed some significant differences between the treatments and the control when using percent control and weed presence. Visual ratings also showed some significant differences between the treatments and the control. The different formulations of Fiesta performed similarly and reduced total broadleaf weed presence in this experiment. Dandelion populations showed phytotoxicity in response to herbicide application and control with herbicide application. NeuDorff, Guelph Turfgrass Institute

The objective of this research project was to determine the effect of Fiesta chelated iron alone and in combination with liquid corn gluten meal on germination and emergence, plant survival, shoot and root growth of turfgrass weeds (large crabgrass, white clover, dandelion, and plantain) as well as turfgrass species (perennial ryegrass). Neudorff North America

The objective of this research project is to evaluate efficacy of various combinations of postemergent herbicides formulations for broadleaf weed control in turfgrass. The research took place in the fall period of the field season. Suncor

The objective of this research project is to evaluate the efficacy of various formulations of the sponsor’s herbicide products for control of dandelions, plantain, white clover and other broadleaf weeds in established turfgrass. Neudorff North America

The objective of this research project is to evaluate efficacy of various combinations of postemergent herbicides formulations for broadleaf weed control in turfgrass. The research was conducted during the summer field season. Suncor

The objective of this research project was to determine the performance of the sponsor’s fertilizer product at various rates on low maintenance home lawn type turf on a poor quality rootzone. Y. Zheng

One of the greatest challenges for sports turf managers is to maintain good playing quality throughout the play season. This article discusses an overseeding project completed on sports fields at the Guelph Turfgrass Institute. The project involved four different overseeding rates, perennial ryegrass and supina bluegrass as the overseeded species, and how their establishment was impacted by mowing height and overseeding frequency.

Herbicide NEU1173H decreases density and leaf rust when applied to turf. The intent of this study was to determine the crop tolerance of perennial ryegrass, Kentucky bluegrass, and fine fescue against the herbicide treatments of NEU1173H. Seven treatments of herbicides were applied to the turfgrass species in a randomized control setting. All three species were exposed to disease outbreaks and were affected by Fiesta treatment. The results showed thinning in the density of Kentucky bluegrass and perennial ryegrass. A correction was found relating weed growth in Kentucky bluegrass and fine fescue plots with an application rate of NEU1173H. All turfgrass used in the study saw a decrease in canopy reduction after the application of 400 ml m-2 Fiesta. All the trials of Fiesta showed lowered outbreaks in leaf rust when applied to perennial ryegrass plots. However, by the end of the season, the turf in all treatments had fully recovered to untreated control levels. It has been recommended that further study be done on the disease effects. Neudorff North America

Athletic fields are under significant stress during the playing season, which, in southern Ontario and most of Canada for that matter, is from the time the snow melts until it falls again. The predominate amount of play, however, is during the spring and fall months when most turfgrasses are slowly breaking from or entering dormancy. Play on already slowly growing grasses results in increased mortality and the appearance of thin or bare patches. These areas leave openings for opportunistic weeds to encroach on the field. The article discusses these challenges and the potential for supina bluegrass as an alternative species for overseeding athletic fields.

Low risk herbicides are used to control weeds on turfgrass. This study assessed the use of NEU1173H on turfgrass infested with various weeds to determine efficacy of the product. Plots were rated pre- and post-treatment for turf color and quality, using visual assessments and NDVI readings. Weed presence was assessed pre- and post-treatment with point-quadrat counts and visual ratings. There was some phytotoxicity on the turfgrass as assessed by visual ratings in treated plots 1 DAT. Canopy reflectance was not significantly affected by any treatments relative to the control. There were slight decreases in weed presence from 2010 to 2011. There were few significant differences among the treatments apart from a slight rate effect in the control of broad leaved plantain. Neudorff North America

Creeping charlie is an important weed that can infest homelawns. The purpose of the research was to test different rates of a low risk herbicide for efficacy on this and other broadleaf weeds. Neudorff North America

Almost every introductory turfgrass management course emphasizes the importance of proper turfgrass identification. Although emphasized, too often the reasons “why” are not explicitly stated. Most end users will likely say that there is one type of grass with the remainder of the vegetation being weeds on any given athletic field. Turfgrass professionals, however, know this is not the case. This article discusses the significance of being able to identify the different species of turfgrasses that are found on athletic fields and parks.

Herbicide, NEU1173H, is used to reduce the weed population in plots without harming the turfgrass. This study was conducted to observe the effects of NEU1173H when applied to turfgrass infected with broadleaved plantains, white clovers and dandelions. Turfgrass plots were treated with 4 different strengths and application rates of NEU1173H, 1 general herbicide and 1 control group. Minimal levels of phytotoxicity were seen on the turfgrass after initial treatment but dissipated after 2 weeks of treatment. Plots were pre and post-treatment were rated for turf colour and quality. The results showed that 35% of the plots were made up of weeds pre-treatment; this was reduced to 16% total post-treatment. The final observation concluded that the largest reduction of weeds was in clovers with only 12% left untreated, dandelions saw 17% untreated and broadleaved plantain had 26% untreated. Neudorff North America

This study tests the efficiency of PC Turf herbicide products when applied at varying rates and volumes. The turf was separated into 10 groups, 8 of which had different strengths and rates of WW1, 1 with a general herbicide, and 1 control. The presence of weeds was rated pre-treatment during treatment and post-treatment. After initial treatment evidence on broadleaf weeds of leaf curling and necrosis. The different trial groups yielded statistically significant differences in a non-linear pattern. The broadleaf weed composed 27% of the plot pre-treatment. After 2 weeks the broadleaf population decreased to 16% and decreased to after 10 weeks where it composed 11% of the plot. Similar patterns were observed in the visual weed ratings with a slight regrowth. The conclusion was made that greater volume and concentrations of x spray resulted in significant weed control, not unlike that of the general herbicide used. Suncor

Plots were located in turf research area at the Guelph Turfgrass Institute, Guelph, ON. The site was an area of established turf (predominantly turf-type perennial ryegrass, infested with dandelion, clover and other lawn weeds) (Figure 1). Turf was maintained with typical medium maintenance turf regime: 1.0 kg actual N 100 m-2 per year in 3 applications (spring, summer, dormant); P and K in a 4:1:4 ratio with N; irrigated to prevent stress prior to treatment application and to prevent dormancy thereafter; mowed at 3 inches. The treatments were combinations of different rates and volumes of post-emergent herbicide, as well as controls for a total of 14 treatments. Plots were rated pre-treatment for weed presence by visual ratings of broadleaf weed density and point quadrat measurement of weed cover. All of the treatments were phytotoxic to both weeds and grass, with SC2 and VNT-3 being particularly phytotoxic. Both grass and weeds recovered from the phytotoxic effects by 5 weeks after treatment. Watering treatments in with 10 mm of water immediately after application reduced the phytotoxic effects in the two treatments where it was tested.

This research project was designed to determine the tolerance of Kentucky bluegrass, fine fescue, and perennial ryegrass to repeated exposure to NEU1173H. The Kentucky bluegrass and perennial ryegrass both showed thinning of the turf density. The fine fescue and Kentucky bluegrass showed some weed growth in all treatments and it was determined that such weed growth was related to the rate of application of NEU1173H. There was significantly less infection of all Fiesta treated plots; both before and after the perennial ryegrass plots were treated to control a rust outbreak. With moderate applications of Fiesta, all three turfgrass types showed slight reductions in canopy reflectance. However, the declines were short-lived and had recovered within 2-3 weeks of the treatment. In all treatments, the turf had fully recovered to untreated control levels of canopy reflectance by the end of the season. Neudorff North America

This experiment was conducted to evaluate the performance of 2 low-maintenance seed mixtures, Environturf and NoMow, compared to the standard fine fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, and perennial ryegrass. Data was collected on the density, vigour, height, shoot system growth rate and time of stand establishment. Enviornturf plots had a marginally faster germination time than the NoMow and standard mix. At the start of the season, the standard lawn mix was slightly faster in development than NoMow but by the end, NoMow showed higher canopy reflectance and better coverage. It was concluded that the NoMow and Enviornturf mixtures had similar coverages and canopy reflectances which were both slightly higher than the standard seed mixture. Clarke Snedden (nomowGrass.ca)

The purpose of this experiment was to evaluate a ready-to-use herbicide treatment on perennial ryegrass infected with clover, dandelion, and plantains. 8 treatments of the ready-to-use herbicide at different volumes and rates were tried and compared to an untreated control plot. All treatments showed significant control over the target species by 24 DAT. Some regrowth was seen in clover and dandelion populations in low-rate treatments. This was attributed to undamaged tissues in the dandelion crowns, and undamaged clover plants surrounding the treatment area. No regrowth was seen in the plantain species. Herbicide treatments with greater volume and rate saw more control over the weeds and less growth back. Petro-Canada

The following study was conducted to measure the effects of PC turf herbicides on perennial ryegrass infected with clovers, dandelions, and broadleaf weeds. 12 treatments were created using different concentrations and volumes of a ready-to-use pre-emergent herbicide. All treatments reduced broadleaf cover as efficiently as the standard Killex herbicide (>80% control) except for the WW2 concentrated at 60 ml・m2. WW0 and two other treatments produced slightly lower results than the control. WW1 at high concentrations and Killex had the best control. A slight decline in canopy reflectance was seen and attributed to general stress to the grass from treatment. Petro-Canada

Endophytes are bacteria and fungi that live within a plant. This study observed the effects of perennial ryegrass infected with Neotyohidium lolii, and tall fescue infected with N. coenophilum. Plots of the 2 grass species were planted and half of the plots were infected with their respective fungi. Data was collected on the chlorophyll content in the plants, soil moisture, and nitrogen availability in the soil. It is also thought that grasses infected with fungi have elevated CO2 levels. This potentially could be correlated to climate change. This study is still in progress and therefore the results are not available as of 2007.

This study was conducted to test the effectiveness of a sponsor's fertilizer on the phytotoxicity that is a result of dog urine. Kentucky bluegrass, fine fescue, and perennial ryegrass received dog urine then treatment of the test fertilizer, industry-standard or nothing. Data was collected on the rate of germination, root and shoot growth rate, and recovery/survival rate. The results of the study concluded that both of the fertilizers tested failed to provide complete protection from the phytotoxic effects occurring after the addition of dog urine. 3 weeks into the trial no plots had living leaf tissues left. The perennial ryegrass treated with Rothsay fertilizer appeared to slow down the phytotoxic effects and somewhat recovered 6 weeks post-treatment. Rothsay

This study evaluates the performance of 2 experimental post-emergent synthetic herbicides (Weed Zap and EcoSafe) against an industry standard and control in the survival of weeds and desired turfgrass. Data was collected on the survival rate in comparison to the untreated plots, as well as the shoot and root growth of the plants after the treatment was applied. The Weed Zap treatment was seen to have a significant effect on both the broadleaf and grass species in leaf tissue necrosis and in the growth rate inhibitors for the shoots and roots. In general, the EcoSafe material did not produce any herbicidal difference from the control. Loblaw Brands Limited

This study evaluates the performance of five fungicide treatments and two fertilizer treatments in attempts to control red thread disease in comparison to an untreated plot. The study was conducted from July to September 2003. The fertilizer treatments received an extra application of treatment (N-P-K, 25-3-20, at 2 kg/100m2) at the start of the experiment in addition to the standard application which happens in the fall. Results from the study show that all treatments significantly reduced the disease when compared to the control plot. The only exception to this trend was 26 gt (41 ml - 21 days). None of the treatments showed phytotoxicity. Bayer

This study evaluates the efficiency of six different treatments of corn meal gluten fertilizer and a control in its ability to control the growth of crass grass, broadleaf and other grass weeds. Due drought stress and high temperatures the crabgrass took longer to emerge than anticipated. Double rate corn gluten meal fertilizer and dithiopyr were the only treatments to reduce the growth of crabgrass at 64 DAT. Overall higher rates of the corn meal gluten, and dithiopyr were seen to be very effective in controlling crabgrass growth. these treatment's were close to 100% effective by 116 DAT. Nutrite Hydro Agri Canada

This study evaluates the effectiveness of 14 experimental chemical controls, in comparison to an industry standard and control in the prevention of red thread disease in perennial ryegrass. All of the treatments presented significantly controlled red thread disease by July 5th. Due to the lack of disease pressure, researchers were unable to properly evaluate the efficiency of the different treatments after July 5th. No phytotoxicity was observed over the course of treatment. Novartis, Rohm & Haas Canada, Zeneca

This study evaluated the effectiveness of five chemical control treatments in comparison an untreated check in the control of red thread disease in perennial ryegrass. This study took place at the Guelph Turfgrass Institute from July to October of 2002. A program was also conducted during this time with double the quantity of fertilizer in the spring and fall seasons rather than just occurring in the fall. Results of the study found that all treatments were effective in the control of red thread disease by The end of July. Over the course of the study no Phytotoxicity was reported. Bayer, Cleary

This study evaluates the performance of a corn gluten meal when applied to Kentucky bluegrass, fine fescue, creeping bentgrass, and perennial ryegrass. Data was collected on the rate of germination, total root and shoot growth of seedlings, as well as the survival rate of the untreated control. The results of the study concluded that there was a reduction in shoot dry matter accumulation and germination in all the grass species treated with 200g m-2 corn meal gluten treatment. Effects were found to be strongest when applied the same day the grasses were seeded. Further investigation must be done to determine the safety intervals for seeding of the turfgrass following the corn meal gluten application. Pickseed