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Plant Growth Regulators Alter the Growth of ‘Tifway’ Bermudagrass (Cynodon transvaalensis × C. dactylon) and Selected Turfgrass Weeds

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 June 2017

David B. Lowe*
Affiliation:
Department of Horticulture, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634-0375
Ted Whitwell
Affiliation:
Department of Horticulture, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634-0375
*
Corresponding author's E-mail: dlowe@clemson.edu.

Abstract

Growth-regulating characteristics of trinexapac-ethyl, paclobutrazol, and flurprimidol were investigated on ‘Tifway’ bermudagrass and four turfgrass weeds (large crabgrass, goosegrass, bahiagrass, and purple nutsedge). All treatments reduced the height of Tifway bermudagrass (25 to 37%) and large crabgrass (14 to 34%), but the height of purple nutsedge, goosegrass, and bahiagrass was not consistently changed. In 1995, all rates of trinexapac-ethyl reduced clipping weights of Tifway bermudagrass (70 to 87%) and bahiagrass (53 to 59%) more than large crabgrass, goosegrass, or purple nutsedge (< 39%). Trinexapac-ethyl (0.4 kg ai/ha) and paclobutrazol (1.1 kg ai/ha) applications increased both large crabgrass clipping weight and canopy visible density. Increased large crabgrass density was attributed to greater tiller numbers with trinexapac-ethyl (60 tillers/pot) and paclobutrazol (63 tillers/pot) compared to untreated large crabgrass plants (53 tillers/pot). Weed growth was not suppressed as much as Tifway bermudagrass growth; therefore, turfgrass stands may be adversely affected by plant growth regulator use under weedy conditions.

Type
Research
Copyright
Copyright © 1999 by the Weed Science Society of America 

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Footnotes

1

Technical Contribution 4461 of the South Carolina Agricultural Experiment Station, Clemson University.

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