Com o objetivo de estudar populações resistentes (R) e suscetíveis (S) de Digitaria ciliaris aos herbicidas inibidores da ACCase, no estado do Paraná-Brasil, região dos Campos Gerais foi desenvolvida a presente pesquisa para: (a) confirmar a resistência de biótipos R aos herbicidas inibidores da ACCase por meio de curvas de dose-resposta, bem como estabelecer o grau de resistência cruzada destes biótipos; (b) avaliar a suscetibilidade comparativa de dois biótipos (R4 e S) a herbicidas com mecanismo de ação de inibição de ACCase, ALS e síntese de carotenos, portanto o grau de resistência múltipla; (c) comparar a adaptabilidade ecológica e competitividade dos biótipos R4 e S e; (d) avaliar a eficácia de herbicidas alternativos aplicados em condições de pré e pós-emergência na cultura de soja no controle de biótipos R. A avaliação das populações suspeitas de resistência: R1 - Castro; R2 - Ponta Grossa; R3 - Carambeí; e R4 - Piraí do Sul, e uma população suscetível (S - Ponta Grossa) em condições de casa-de-vegetação, através de curvas de dose resposta permitiu concluir que as populações R1, R2, R3 e R4 apresentaram-se como biótipos resistentes aos herbicidas inibidores da ACCase com diferentes níveis de resistência cruzada aos herbicidas com este mecanismo de ação. No experimento onde foram avaliados herbicidas inibidores da ACCase: fluazifop-p-butil, haloxyfop-r-methil, propaquizafop, sethoxydim, tepraloxydim, clethodim, fenoxaprop + clethodim, e hebicidas com mecansimos de ação alternativos: imazethapyr, nicosulfuron, iodosulfuron + foramsulfuron e mesotrione, concluiu-se que o biótipo R foi controlado satisfatoriamente na dose recomendada por todos os herbicidas alternativos aplicados (sulfonilureias, imidazolinonas e inibidores da síntese de caroteno), excluindo a hipótese de resistência múltipla nesse biótipo de Digitaria ciliaris. Experimentos utilizando o método substitutivo de avaliação da adaptabilidade ecológica dos biótipos R4 e S em condições não competitivas entre os biótipos e em condições competitivas entre os biótipos e as plantas de soja permitiram concluir que os biótipos R e S de Digitaria ciliaris estudados apresentaram a mesma adaptabilidade ecológica. A avaliação da eficácia dos herbicidas alternativos aplicados em condições de pré e pós-emergência na cultura de soja foi feita através de dois experimentos a campo no município de Palmeira (PR), durante o ano agrícola 2003/2004. Os resultados permitiram concluir que a população estudada é resistente aos herbicidas inibidores da ACCase; os melhores resultados de eficácia de controle com os inibidores da ACCase foram obtidos com os herbicidas tepraloxydim, clethodim e butroxydim; os tratamentos com sulfentrazone isolado ou em mistura, os tratamentos com trifluralina, clomazone e s-metolachlor, em complementação com imazethapyr e imazethapyr isolado foram eficazes no controle do biótipo resistente de Digitaria ciliaris permitindo assim a recomendação destes tratamentos como alternativas de manejo de populações resistentes da planta daninha. As informações geradas neste trabalho auxiliaram na compreensão da dinâmica dos biótipos dentro da população e na interpretação dos efeitos das estratégias de manejo propostas. / With the objective of studying resistant (R) and susceptible (S) populations of D. ciliaris to ACCase inhibitor herbicides, in the state of Parana - Brazil, in the region of "Campos Gerais", it was developed this research in order to: (a) confirm the resistance of the biotypes R to ACCase inhibitor herbicides, by mean of dose-response curves, as well as establish the degree of cross resistance of these biotypes; (b) evaluate the comparative susceptibility of two biotypes (R4 and S) to herbicides which mechanism of action is the inhibition of the ACCase, ALS and carotene biosynthesis, therefore, the degree of multiple resistance; (c) compare the ecological adaptability and competitiveness of the biotypes R4 and S; (d) evaluate the alternative herbicides efficacy sprayed in pre and post-emergence conditions of the soybean crop in the control of the R biotype. The evaluation of the suspected resistant populations: R1 - Castro; R2 - Ponta Grossa; R3 - Carambei; and R4 - Pirai do Sul, and a susceptible population (S - Ponta Grossa) in greenhouse conditions, through dose-response curves allowed to conclude that the populations R1, R2, R3 and R4 presented as resistant biotypes to ACCase inhibitor herbicides with different levels of cross resistance to herbicides with this mechanism of action. In the experiment where it was evaluated the ACCase inhibitor herbicides: fluazifop-p-butyl, haloxyfop-r-methyl, propaquizafop, sethoxydim, tepraloxydim, clethodim, fenoxaprop + clethodim, and herbicides with alternative mechanisms of action: imazethapyr, nicosulfuron, iodosulfuron + foramsulfuron and mesotrione, allowed to conclude that the biotype R was controlled by the recommended rate of all alternative herbicides sprayed as treatment (sulfonilureias, imidazolinones and carotene biosynthesis inhibitors), excluding the hypothesis of multiple resistance in this biotype of Digitaria ciliaris. Experiments conducted using the replacement series method of evaluation of the ecological adaptability of the R4 and S in non-competitive conditions and in competitive conditions between the biotypes and among the biotypes and the soybean plants allowed to conclude that both biotypes are equally adapted and competitive. Alternatives herbicides sprayed in pre and post-emergence of the soybean plants was evaluated by two field experiments in Palmeira (PR), during the season 2003/2004. The results allowed to conclude that the population studied is resistant to ACCase inhibitor herbicides; the best results of efficacy with the ACCase inhibitor herbicides were obtained with the herbicides tepraloxydim, clethodim and butroxydim; the treatments with sulfentrazone alone or in mixture, the treatments with trifluralin, clomazone and S-metolachlor in mixture with imazethapyr and imazethapyr alone controlled adequately the resistant biotype of Digitaria ciliaris showing the it is possible to recommend these alternative treatments in the management of the resistant populations of the weed. The in formations obtained in this research help in the understanding of the biotype dynamics within a population and in the interpretation of the effects of the management strategies proposed.

Com o objetivo de estudar populações resistentes (R) e suscetíveis (S) de Digitaria ciliaris aos herbicidas inibidores da ACCase, no estado do Paraná-Brasil, região dos Campos Gerais foi desenvolvida a presente pesquisa para: (a) confirmar a resistência de biótipos R aos herbicidas inibidores da ACCase por meio de curvas de dose-resposta, bem como estabelecer o grau de resistência cruzada destes biótipos; (b) avaliar a suscetibilidade comparativa de dois biótipos (R4 e S) a herbicidas com mecanismo de ação de inibição de ACCase, ALS e síntese de carotenos, portanto o grau de resistência múltipla; (c) comparar a adaptabilidade ecológica e competitividade dos biótipos R4 e S e; (d) avaliar a eficácia de herbicidas alternativos aplicados em condições de pré e pós-emergência na cultura de soja no controle de biótipos R. A avaliação das populações suspeitas de resistência: R1 – Castro; R2 - Ponta Grossa; R3 – Carambeí; e R4 - Piraí do Sul, e uma população suscetível (S – Ponta Grossa) em condições de casa-de-vegetação, através de curvas de dose resposta permitiu concluir que as populações R1, R2, R3 e R4 apresentaram-se como biótipos resistentes aos herbicidas inibidores da ACCase com diferentes níveis de resistência cruzada aos herbicidas com este mecanismo de ação. No experimento onde foram avaliados herbicidas inibidores da ACCase: fluazifop-p-butil, haloxyfop-r-methil, propaquizafop, sethoxydim, tepraloxydim, clethodim, fenoxaprop + clethodim, e hebicidas com mecansimos de ação alternativos: imazethapyr, nicosulfuron, iodosulfuron + foramsulfuron e mesotrione, concluiu-se que o biótipo R foi controlado satisfatoriamente na dose recomendada por todos os herbicidas alternativos aplicados (sulfonilureias, imidazolinonas e inibidores da síntese de caroteno), excluindo a hipótese de resistência múltipla nesse biótipo de Digitaria ciliaris. Experimentos utilizando o método substitutivo de avaliação da adaptabilidade ecológica dos biótipos R4 e S em condições não competitivas entre os biótipos e em condições competitivas entre os biótipos e as plantas de soja permitiram concluir que os biótipos R e S de Digitaria ciliaris estudados apresentaram a mesma adaptabilidade ecológica. A avaliação da eficácia dos herbicidas alternativos aplicados em condições de pré e pós-emergência na cultura de soja foi feita através de dois experimentos a campo no município de Palmeira (PR), durante o ano agrícola 2003/2004. Os resultados permitiram concluir que a população estudada é resistente aos herbicidas inibidores da ACCase; os melhores resultados de eficácia de controle com os inibidores da ACCase foram obtidos com os herbicidas tepraloxydim, clethodim e butroxydim; os tratamentos com sulfentrazone isolado ou em mistura, os tratamentos com trifluralina, clomazone e s-metolachlor, em complementação com imazethapyr e imazethapyr isolado foram eficazes no controle do biótipo resistente de Digitaria ciliaris permitindo assim a recomendação destes tratamentos como alternativas de manejo de populações resistentes da planta daninha. As informações geradas neste trabalho auxiliaram na compreensão da dinâmica dos biótipos dentro da população e na interpretação dos efeitos das estratégias de manejo propostas. / With the objective of studying resistant (R) and susceptible (S) populations of D. ciliaris to ACCase inhibitor herbicides, in the state of Parana – Brazil, in the region of “Campos Gerais”, it was developed this research in order to: (a) confirm the resistance of the biotypes R to ACCase inhibitor herbicides, by mean of dose-response curves, as well as establish the degree of cross resistance of these biotypes; (b) evaluate the comparative susceptibility of two biotypes (R4 and S) to herbicides which mechanism of action is the inhibition of the ACCase, ALS and carotene biosynthesis, therefore, the degree of multiple resistance; (c) compare the ecological adaptability and competitiveness of the biotypes R4 and S; (d) evaluate the alternative herbicides efficacy sprayed in pre and post-emergence conditions of the soybean crop in the control of the R biotype. The evaluation of the suspected resistant populations: R1 – Castro; R2 - Ponta Grossa; R3 – Carambei; and R4 - Pirai do Sul, and a susceptible population (S – Ponta Grossa) in greenhouse conditions, through dose-response curves allowed to conclude that the populations R1, R2, R3 and R4 presented as resistant biotypes to ACCase inhibitor herbicides with different levels of cross resistance to herbicides with this mechanism of action. In the experiment where it was evaluated the ACCase inhibitor herbicides: fluazifop-p-butyl, haloxyfop-r-methyl, propaquizafop, sethoxydim, tepraloxydim, clethodim, fenoxaprop + clethodim, and herbicides with alternative mechanisms of action: imazethapyr, nicosulfuron, iodosulfuron + foramsulfuron and mesotrione, allowed to conclude that the biotype R was controlled by the recommended rate of all alternative herbicides sprayed as treatment (sulfonilureias, imidazolinones and carotene biosynthesis inhibitors), excluding the hypothesis of multiple resistance in this biotype of Digitaria ciliaris. Experiments conducted using the replacement series method of evaluation of the ecological adaptability of the R4 and S in non-competitive conditions and in competitive conditions between the biotypes and among the biotypes and the soybean plants allowed to conclude that both biotypes are equally adapted and competitive. Alternatives herbicides sprayed in pre and post-emergence of the soybean plants was evaluated by two field experiments in Palmeira (PR), during the season 2003/2004. The results allowed to conclude that the population studied is resistant to ACCase inhibitor herbicides; the best results of efficacy with the ACCase inhibitor herbicides were obtained with the herbicides tepraloxydim, clethodim and butroxydim; the treatments with sulfentrazone alone or in mixture, the treatments with trifluralin, clomazone and S-metolachlor in mixture with imazethapyr and imazethapyr alone controlled adequately the resistant biotype of Digitaria ciliaris showing the it is possible to recommend these alternative treatments in the management of the resistant populations of the weed. The in formations obtained in this research help in the understanding of the biotype dynamics within a population and in the interpretation of the effects of the management strategies proposed.

Large and small crabgrass are problem turfgrass weeds. Due to increasing cosmetic pesticide bans, assessment of crabgrass recruitment timing and cultural management response is important. This project determined that natural populations emerged later than cool season turfgrass typically establishes. While turf vigour may affect the survival of crabgrass through competition, it does not directly impact crabgrass recruitment. Considering fertilization, chamber experiments confirmed that KNO3 increased fresh seed germination. This effect did not occur with aged seed suggesting that KNO3 affects seed dormancy and not germination per se. Experiments with a model turfgrass system showed similar results where fresh seed recruitment increased with increasing fertilizer rate. Fertilization had no significant effect on recruitment in field trials. Although fresh seed was spread in the fall, recruitment did not occur until spring when seed is considered non-dormant. This suggests that typical home owner fertilization will not have a direct impact on crabgrass recruitment.

Quinclorac controls crabgrass (Digitaria spp.) post-emergence in cool- and warm-season turfgrass. A rate response study revealed that two Mississippi smooth crabgrass (Digitaria ischaemum) species (MSU1 and MSU2) are resistant to quinclorac. Following that, field experiments were carried out to evaluate programmatic approaches to control one of these populations. Despite prior study on quinclorac-resistant weeds, to date, quinclorac-resistant smooth crabgrass and its mechanism of resistance have only been reported once in California. The mechanism of resistance of MSU1 and MSU2 relative to susceptible (SMT) was then investigated. The SMT biotype accumulated three times more cyanide than the resistant populations. Glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activity was evaluated as a possible contributor to non-target site resistance. The GST activity was elevated in the MSU1 and MSU2 populations. These findings suggest a non-target site–based mechanism of resistance involving the accumulation of cyanide. Further research is needed to investigate potential target-site mechanisms of resistance.

Annual grassy weeds are problematic in intensively managed turfgrass systems due to a lack of selective and affordable control options. Four projects were conducted from 2020-2023 to evaluate novel techniques for Annual bluegrass (Poa annua L.), goosegrass (Eleusine indica L. Gaertn.), and smooth crabgrass (Digitaria ischaemum Schreb.) control on golf course putting greens or putting green surrounds. Hybrid bermudagrass Cynodon transvaalensis Burtt. Davy. x dactylon L. Pers.) tolerated cumyluron regardless of application timing, endothall when applied during full dormancy, and methiozolin when applied during mid-transition. Methiozolin half-life in the upper 2-cm of 12 hybrid bermudagrass putting greens was approximately 14 days and was prolonged in similar studies by seven orders of magnitude when herbicide was applied to bare ground compared to adjacent Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) turf. In a study conducted in Alabama, California, Florida, and Virginia, methiozolin at labeled use rates applied biweekly controlled smooth crabgrass >80% in creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L.) and hybrid bermudagrass turf. Although similar programs also controlled goosegrass, acceptable control required more applications than are allowed on the product label. Targeted application devices (TAD), such as spot sprayers and dabbers that are used for individual plant treatment of escaped weeds, were tested for uniformity of fluid delivery. Fluid output of dabbing devices was highly variable and dependent on reservoir fill level, reservoir air seal, human user, and contact time, but largely independent of peak force exerted during the dabbing event. These studies suggest that new products are available to improve annual grassy weed control in turfgrass systems, but proper application timing and device calibration is important to achieve best results. / Doctor of Philosophy / Annual grasses are difficult to control in "high-end" golf turf because few herbicides can be safely used near greens and key weeds have become resistant to the most common products. Several new products were tested for safety on hybrid bermudagrass greens. Methiozolin (PoaCure) was safe for use after post-dormancy greenup, endothall was safe when used while turf was still dormant, and cumyluron was safe regardless of application timing. The duration of preemergence weed control with methiozolin is reduced as temperatures increase and in turfgrass compared to bare ground systems. Half of the methiozolin product will dissipate in 14 days or less when applied to hybrid bermudagrass putting greens or Kentucky bluegrass lawns in spring. Methiozolin controlled smooth crabgrass for the entire season in several Southeastern states, but goosegrass control was slightly below acceptable levels when the product was used within annual dose restrictions. Applicators, such as dabbers and spot sprayers, that are used to treat individual plants improve turf safety and reduce chemical cost, but these devices had not been previously tested for uniformity of fluid output. Studies found that these devices can vary in output by several orders of magnitude depending on the type of devices used, the person using the device, and duration of contact with the turf as the user presses a dabbing device over a weed. Within-device errors were equally problematic and governed by the amount of downward pressure exerted by the fluid contained in the device reservoir. For every 10% of fluid capacity added, fluid dispense rate increases approximately 33%. When the air seal of the fluid fill cap is broken, fluid output approximately doubles compared to when this seal is maintained because loss of vacuum increases downward force of the fluid column. These studies suggest that new products are available to improve annual grassy weed control in ornamental turf, but proper application timing and device calibration is important to achieve best results.

Call number: LD2668 .T4 1985 G672 / Master of Science

Crabgrass is a warm-season annual species that has the potential to provide high-quality summer forage for ruminants in the transition zone between subtropical and temperate regions of the United States. Growing annual lespedeza in association with crabgrass may be beneficial due to nitrogen transfer from the legume to the grass. The objectives of the research reported in this thesis were to (1) determine the effects of pH on establishment and growth of crabgrass; and (2) evaluate the effects of lespedeza seeding rate and N fertilization treatment on the yield, botanical composition, and nutritive value of crabgrass-lespedeza mixtures. A greenhouse study was conducted using three soil pH levels of 4.8, 5.5, and 6.3. Crabgrass germination and root and shoot yields were not affected by soil pH values. A field study was conducted to evaluate the influence of six lespedeza seeding rates (0-28 kg ha-1) and two N fertilization treatments (140 kg total N ha-1 or zero N) on crabgrass-annual lespedeza mixtures. In most cases, increasing lespedeza seeding rate increased lespedeza in the sward. However, lespedeza rate had limited effect on yield and nutritive value of the mixture. Nitrogen fertilization increased crabgrass in the sward and total yield by as much as 46%. Responses of nutritive value parameters to N fertilization were variable and appeared linked to weather factors. In vitro true digestibilities ranged from 750 to 875 g kg-1, and were largely unaffected by N fertilization and seeding rate The results of these studies indicate that crabgrass could provide moderate amounts of highly digestible forage while growing on acidic soils commonly found in the southeastern United States. Annual lespedeza may be grown in association with crabgrass, but limited improvement in yield and nutritive value were found for this practice. / Master of Science

A expansão das áreas cultivadas com cana-de-açúcar no Brasil é evidente, e para um eficaz manejo dessas extensas áreas, é necessário um bom planejamento das operações agrícolas. Nesse sentido, a aplicação de herbicidas pode ocorrer até no período seco do ano e em condições de solo bem distintas. Sabe-se que os diferentes ambientes nos quais os herbicidas são aplicados têm grande influencia em sua eficácia, e entender essas diferenças é importante para se obter o melhor rendimento e se fazer o correto uso dessa excelente ferramenta de manejo. Assim, este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o comportamento da formulação comercial contendo os herbicidas diurom + hexazinona + sulfometurom-metílico quando aplicado em solos com texturas contrastantes, além de avaliar a lixiviação desse herbicida e seus componentes e também como condições de restrição hídrica em presença de palha de cana-de-açúcar podem afetar o seu efeito residual e de seus componentes. Foram realizados ao todo 5 experimentos sendo 3 com o uso de curvas de dose-resposta, avaliando-se capim-colchão e corda-de-viola; um com lixiviação em tubos de PVC, avaliando-se corda-de-viola, e um com períodos de restrição hídrica, avaliando-se corda-de-viola e capim-colonião. Os resultados obtidos nos experimentos com as curvas de dose-resposta demonstraram a grande influencia da textura na eficácia do herbicida, com quantidades de argila menores que 30% sendo suficientes para gerar respostas consideravelmente distintas. O experimento com lixiviação demonstrou que as três moléculas do herbicida comportam-se diferentemente no solo, o que também é importante para o seu uso em diferentes ambientes. Os resultados obtidos no experimento com períodos de restrição hídrica em palha de cana-de-açúcar permitem concluir que apesar de as três moléculas comportarem-se diferentemente no ambiente, elas se complementam no controle de plantas daninhas mono e dicotiledôneas, e têm o efeito residual pouco influenciado por períodos de restrição hídrica. / The expansion of areas planted with sugar cane in Brazil is clearly noticeable and a good planning of agricultural operations is necessary for an effective management of these extensive areas. Accordingly, the application of herbicides may occur even in the dry season and in distinctive soil conditions. It is known that the different environments in which the herbicides are applied have great influence on their effectiveness and understanding these differences is an important factor in order to obtain best performance and make proper use of this excellent management tool. Thus, this work aimed to evaluate the behavior of the commercial formulation containing the herbicides diuron + hexazinone + sulfometurom-methyl when applied to soils with contrasting textures, and also to evaluate the leaching of this herbicide and its components as well as how conditions of water restriction with presence of sugarcane staw can affect your residual effect and its components. Five experiments were performed, three of those using dose-response curves, to evaluate crabgrass and morning glory; one with leaching using PVC tubes, evaluating morning glory and one with periods of water restriction, evaluating morning glory and guinea grass. Obtained results of the experiments with the dose-response curves demonstrated the great influence of the texture on the effectiveness of the herbicide, clay amounts of less than 30% being sufficient to generate considerably distinct responses. The experiment with leaching showed that the three molecules behave differently in the soil, which is also important to their use in different environments. Obtained results in the experiment with periods of water restriction on straw sugarcane allow the conclusion that although the three molecules behave differently in the environment, they complement each other in control of mono and dicotyledonous weeds, and they have little residual effect influenced by periods of water restriction.

A expansão das áreas cultivadas com cana-de-açúcar no Brasil é evidente, e para um eficaz manejo dessas extensas áreas, é necessário um bom planejamento das operações agrícolas. Nesse sentido, a aplicação de herbicidas pode ocorrer até no período seco do ano e em condições de solo bem distintas. Sabe-se que os diferentes ambientes nos quais os herbicidas são aplicados têm grande influencia em sua eficácia, e entender essas diferenças é importante para se obter o melhor rendimento e se fazer o correto uso dessa excelente ferramenta de manejo. Assim, este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o comportamento da formulação comercial contendo os herbicidas diurom + hexazinona + sulfometurom-metílico quando aplicado em solos com texturas contrastantes, além de avaliar a lixiviação desse herbicida e seus componentes e também como condições de restrição hídrica em presença de palha de cana-de-açúcar podem afetar o seu efeito residual e de seus componentes. Foram realizados ao todo 5 experimentos sendo 3 com o uso de curvas de dose-resposta, avaliando-se capim-colchão e corda-de-viola; um com lixiviação em tubos de PVC, avaliando-se corda-de-viola, e um com períodos de restrição hídrica, avaliando-se corda-de-viola e capim-colonião. Os resultados obtidos nos experimentos com as curvas de dose-resposta demonstraram a grande influencia da textura na eficácia do herbicida, com quantidades de argila menores que 30% sendo suficientes para gerar respostas consideravelmente distintas. O experimento com lixiviação demonstrou que as três moléculas do herbicida comportam-se diferentemente no solo, o que também é importante para o seu uso em diferentes ambientes. Os resultados obtidos no experimento com períodos de restrição hídrica em palha de cana-de-açúcar permitem concluir que apesar de as três moléculas comportarem-se diferentemente no ambiente, elas se complementam no controle de plantas daninhas mono e dicotiledôneas, e têm o efeito residual pouco influenciado por períodos de restrição hídrica. / The expansion of areas planted with sugar cane in Brazil is clearly noticeable and a good planning of agricultural operations is necessary for an effective management of these extensive areas. Accordingly, the application of herbicides may occur even in the dry season and in distinctive soil conditions. It is known that the different environments in which the herbicides are applied have great influence on their effectiveness and understanding these differences is an important factor in order to obtain best performance and make proper use of this excellent management tool. Thus, this work aimed to evaluate the behavior of the commercial formulation containing the herbicides diuron + hexazinone + sulfometurom-methyl when applied to soils with contrasting textures, and also to evaluate the leaching of this herbicide and its components as well as how conditions of water restriction with presence of sugarcane staw can affect your residual effect and its components. Five experiments were performed, three of those using dose-response curves, to evaluate crabgrass and morning glory; one with leaching using PVC tubes, evaluating morning glory and one with periods of water restriction, evaluating morning glory and guinea grass. Obtained results of the experiments with the dose-response curves demonstrated the great influence of the texture on the effectiveness of the herbicide, clay amounts of less than 30% being sufficient to generate considerably distinct responses. The experiment with leaching showed that the three molecules behave differently in the soil, which is also important to their use in different environments. Obtained results in the experiment with periods of water restriction on straw sugarcane allow the conclusion that although the three molecules behave differently in the environment, they complement each other in control of mono and dicotyledonous weeds, and they have little residual effect influenced by periods of water restriction.

Goosegrass [Eleusine indica (L.) Gaertn.] and smooth crabgrass [Digitaria ischaemum (Schreb.) Schreb. ex Muhl.] are problematic weeds in bermudagrass and creeping bentgrass turf. Increased incidences of herbicide resistant weed populations and severe use restrictions on formerly available herbicides have increased need for selective, postemergence control options for these weeds in creeping bentgrass and bermudagrass turf. This weed management exigency has led turf managers to utilize less effective, more expensive, and more injurious options to manage goosegrass and smooth crabgrass. Although potentially injurious, topramezone can control these weeds, especially goosegrass, at low doses. Low-dose topramezone may also improve bermudagrass and creeping bentgrass response. An initial investigation of three 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD) inhibiting herbicides in different turf types showed that Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, and tall fescue were highly tolerant to topramezone, while creeping bentgrass and bermudagrass could tolerate topramezone doses that may control grassy weeds. Further investigation suggested that frequent, low-dose topramezone applications or metribuzin admixtures could enhance weed control and may conserve turfgrass quality. A novel mixture of topramezone at 3.7 g ae ha-1 and metribuzin at 210 g ai ha-1 controlled goosegrass effectively and reduced bermudagrass foliar bleaching associated with topramezone 10-fold compared to higher doses of topramezone alone in 19 field and 2 greenhouse trials. In an attempt to further enhance bermudagrass tolerance to topramezone, post-treatment irrigation was applied at various timings. When bermudagrass turf was irrigated with 0.25-cm water at 15 or 30 minutes after herbicide treatment, bermudagrass injury was reduced to acceptable levels when following low-dose topramezone plus metribuzin but not when following high-dose topramezone alone. Goosegrass control was reduced significantly by post-treatment irrigation in all cases, while irrigation reduced goosegrass control by low-dose topramezone plus metribuzin to below-commercially-acceptable levels. Novel, low-dose, frequent application programs containing topramezone or siduron were developed for season-long crabgrass or goosegrass control on creeping bentgrass greens. Greens-height creeping bentgrass quality was preserved following five biweekly treatments of siduron at rates between 3,400 to 13,500 g ai ha-1 and topramezone at 3.1 g ha-1. Siduron programs controlled smooth crabgrass and suppressed goosegrass while topramezone programs controlled goosegrass and suppressed smooth crabgrass. In laboratory and controlled-environment experiments, goosegrass absorbed three times more 14C than bermudagrass within 48 hours of 14C-topramezone treatment. Bermudagrass also metabolized topramezone twice as fast as goosegrass. Metribuzin admixture reduced absorption by 25% in both species. When herbicides were placed exclusively on soil, foliage, or soil plus foliage, topramezone controlled goosegrass only when applied to foliage and phytotoxicity of both bermudagrass and goosegrass was greater from topramezone than from metribuzin. Metribuzin was shown to reduce 21-d cumulative clipping weight and tiller production of both species while topramezone caused foliar discoloration to newly emerging leaves and shoots with only marginal clipping weight reduction. These data suggest that selectivity between bermudagrass and goosegrass is largely due to differential absorption and metabolism that reduces bermudagrass exposure to topramezone. Post-treatment irrigation likely reduces topramezone rate load with a concomitant effect on plant phytotoxicity of both species. Metribuzin admixture decreases white discoloration of bermudagrass by decreased topramezone absorption rate and eliminating new foliar growth that is more susceptible to discoloration by topramezone. / Doctor of Philosophy / Goosegrass and smooth crabgrass are problematic weeds in bermudagrass and creeping bentgrass turf. Increased incidences of herbicide resistant weed populations and severe use restrictions on formerly available herbicides have increased need for selective, postemergence control options for these weeds in creeping bentgrass and bermudagrass turf. Although potentially injurious, topramezone (Pylex™) can control these weeds, especially goosegrass, at low doses. Low-dose Pylex™ may also improve bermudagrass and creeping bentgrass response. An initial investigation evaluating tembotrione (Laudis®), Pylex™, and mesotrione (Tenacity®) in different turfgrass species showed that Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, and tall fescue were highly tolerant to Pylex™ at rates ranging from 0.75 to 2.25 fl. oz./A, while creeping bentgrass and bermudagrass were low to moderately tolerant to Pylex™. Further investigation suggested that frequent, low-dose (less than 0.25 fl. oz./A) Pylex™ applications or metribuzin (Sencor®) admixtures could enhance weed control and may conserve turfgrass quality. A novel mixture of Pylex™ at 0.15 fl. oz./A and Sencor® at 4 oz. wt./A controlled goosegrass effectively and reduced bermudagrass injury to near acceptable levels and significantly less than Pylex™ applied alone at 0.25 fl. oz/A. In an attempt to further enhance bermudagrass tolerance to Pylex™, post-treatment irrigation was applied at different timings. When bermudagrass turf was irrigated at 15 or 30 minutes after herbicide treatment, bermudagrass injury was reduced to acceptable levels when following Pylex™ at 0.25 fl. oz./A plus Sencor® at 4 oz but not when following Pylex™ applied alone at 0.5 fl. oz./A. Goosegrass control was reduced significantly by post-treatment irrigation in all cases, while irrigation reduced goosegrass control by low-dose Pylex™ plus Sencor® to below-commercially-acceptable levels. Novel, low-dose, frequent application programs containing Pylex™ or siduron (Tupersan®) were developed for season-long crabgrass or goosegrass control in creeping bentgrass greens. Greens-height creeping bentgrass quality was preserved following five biweekly treatments of Tupersan® at rates between 6 and 24 lb./A and Pylex™ at 0.125 fl. oz./A. Tupersan® programs controlled smooth crabgrass and suppressed goosegrass while Pylex™ programs controlled goosegrass and suppressed smooth crabgrass. The data from these studies indicate that utilizing low-dose Pylex™ in combination with Sencor® can impart acceptable bermudagrass safety while also controlling goosegrass effectively. For creeping bentgrass greens, the low-dose, frequent application of Tupersan® is the safest legal option for golf course superintendents to control smooth crabgrass effectively, while having some ability to suppress goosegrass.