Greenhouse experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of selective herbicide placement on sedge shoot number, shoot weight, and root weight. Sulfentrazone, sulfosulfuron, and trifloxysulfuron were applied to soil only, foliage only, or soil plus foliage. Sulfentrazone provided greater yellow nutsedge and false green kyllinga growth reduction compared to purple nutsedge. Sulfosulfuron provided greater purple nutsedge and false green kyllinga growth reduction compared to yellow nutsedge; these species responded similarly to trifloxysulfuron. Soil and soil plus foliar applications provided the highest level of growth suppression, indicating herbicide–soil contact is required for optimum sedge control with these three herbicides. Future research should evaluate techniques that optimize herbicide–soil contact to improve herbicide efficacy.

Weed management is a common practice in golf courses, home lawns, and sod production systems. Sulfonylurea (SU) herbicides were initially introduced in the agricultural market in 1982; however, SUs were also evaluated for control of weeds and overseeded grasses. Later, SUs were evaluated for selective control of broadleaf weeds, sedges, and kyllinga species in cool- and warm-season turfgrasses. In the 1990s, chlorsulfuron and metsulfuron were registered for selective control of broadleaf weeds, such as wild garlic, spotted spurge, and difficult-to-control grasses, such as bahiagrass in turfgrass. Now, there are several SUs registered for specific weed management in both cool- and warm-season turfgrasses. The current status of SUs, along with potential benefits and drawbacks in using these herbicides for weed management practices, are discussed. The research findings, possible recommendations in relation to the safety of turfgrass (established and overseeding stands), environmental concerns (persistence and lateral movement), and management practices in cool- and warm-season turfgrasses are discussed, including the potential evolution of weed resistance.