The Effects of Pre-Emergence Applications of Sulfentrazone Herbicide and Perennial Ryegrass Overseeding of Poa annua Infestation of Winter Turf under Desert Conditions

Poa annua or annual bluegrass is a cosmopolitan winter annual weed in turfgrass systems. A field test was conducted to evaluate the effects of sulfentrazone herbicide, both with and without the fall overseeding practice on bermudagrass in the desert. Sulfentrazone was applied three days before overseeding at 0.125, 0.187, 0.25, 0.375, 0.5 and 0.625 lbs.AI/A. Percent Poa infestation levels were dramatically less on overseeded (perennial ryegrass added) turf throughout the entire test period than non-overseeded (dormant bermudagrass) turf. For non-overseeded turf, sulfentrazone provided a maximum of 74% weed control at November 1997, 68% in December, and 25% by March 1998 at the highest application rate of 0.625 lbs./A. For overseeded (perennial ryegrass) turf, the highest level of weed control was achieved for sulfentrazone at the 0.625 lbs./A rate, which was 68% in April. The practices of overseeding and sulfentrazone applications provided the greatest weed control, however, different rate/timing regimes should be investigated to increase efficiency