Evaluating Herbicidal Injury to St. Augustine Grass in Sod Production

Abstract

Studies were conducted at three locations (Burleson, Matagorda, and Wharton Counties) in south and central Texas to evaluate 25 commonly used herbicides for their effect on regrowth or re-establishment of St. Augustine grass [Stenotaphrum secundatum S. (Walt.) Kuntz] after sod had been harvested.  Fenoxaprop-ethyl, metsulfuron-methyl, MSMA, and quinclorac caused significant injury (yellowing) at all three locations when rated 10 days after herbicide application.  Benefin, imazapic, metolcachlor, triclopyr plus clopyralid, and 2,4-D plus MCPP plus dicamba caused injury to St. Augustinegrass at two of three locations while atrazine, bensulide, bentazon, bromoxynil, imazaquin, halosulfuron, oxadiazon, prodiamine, and simizine caused injury at one location.  For St. Augustine grass regrowth, imazapic and metsulfuron-methyl resulted in reduced growth at all three locations while bensulide, fenoxaprop-ethyl, imazaquin, halosulfuron, and oryzalin caused considerable reduction in regrowth at two locations.  Bromoxynil, dithiopyr, prodiamine, and quinclorac reduced St. Augustine regrowth at only one location.