Making Sense of All the Post Emergent Herbicide Options in Turf

Brian McDonald

OSU Horticulture

Dec 17, 2013

Turf Herbicides are Like Cereals – more choices than you need.

PBI Gordon Has 8 “Trimec’s”!

1. Super Trimec

2. Trimec 1000

3. Trimec 992

4. Trimec – Bentgrass Formula

5. Trimec Classic

6. Trimec LAF – 637

7. Trimec Plus

8. Trimec Southern

NuFarm Has Even More Choices!

1. 4-Speed (Pyraflufen + 2,4-D, MCPP, Dicamba)

2. 4-Speed XT (Pyraflufen + 2,4-D, Triclopyr, Dicamba)

3. Cool Power (Ester Triclopyr, MCPA, Dicamba)

4. Escalade 2 (2,4-D, Fluroxypyr, & Dicamba)

5. Horsepower (MCPA, Triclopyr, and Dicamba)

6. Quincept (2,4-D, Drive, & Dicamba)

7. (3) different “Triplet”s (Low odor, Sensitive & SF)

8. Change Up (MCPA, fluroxypyr, dicamba)

9. Elliptical (2,4-D, Fluroxypyr, & Dicamba)

10.Millennium Ultra 2 (2,4-D, Clopyralid, & Dicamba)

How do we make sense out of all of these?

Overview

1. Making sense of all the Choices a. Review the “standard” 3 – way mixes

b. Look at “newer kids” on the block

c. Review “alternative” herbicide mixes

2. Review the common weeds and match the herbicides to the weeds.

3. Maximizing weed kill – other factors.

4. Go through a few scenarios.

Common Broadleaf Chemicals

Chemical Common formulations 2,4-D Amine salt Ester 2,4-DP Amine salt EsterMCPA Amine salt EsterMCPP Amine saltDicamba Amine salt Triclopyr Amine salt EsterClopyralid Amine saltQuinclorac Amine salt

“New Kids on the Block”

Chemical Common formulations Fluroxypyr (Spotlight/Escalade 2) Ester

Carfentrazone (Quicksilver/SpeedZone/ PowerZone)Sulfentrazone (in Q4)Pyraflufen (in 4-Speed + 2,4-D, MCPP, Dicamba)Pyraflufen (in 4-Speed XT + 2,4-D, Triclopyr, Dicamba)

Penoxulam (Sapphire)Florasulam (Defendor)

Tenacity (Mesotrione) – Post/Pre emergent

My Classifications

1.“Standard” 3-way Mixes

2.Non 2,4-D 3-way Mixes

3.Safety 3–Way Mixes

4.Specialty 3-Way Mixes

“Standard” Mixtures

2,4-D + MCPP + Dicamba

Amine formulations:

Trimec Classic Mec Amine-D Triplet Low Odor

Standard 3-Way Mixeslbs of ae per acre at 4 pts/Acre

Herbicide Signal Word 2,4-D MCPP DicambaMec Amine-D Danger 1.22 0.33 0.11 Trimec 1000 Warning 1.19 0.33 0.11 Trimec 992 Danger 1.19 0.32 0.11 Triplet - Low Odor Danger 1.19 0.32 0.11 Triplet - Selective Danger 1.19 0.32 0.11 Triplet SF Danger 1.19 0.32 0.11 Lesco Three-Way Danger 1.19 0.32 0.11 Trimec Classic Danger 0.99 0.27 0.11

They are all the same thing!

Standard 3-Way Mixes“Non 2,4-D Mixes”

High Rate lbs of ae per acre at 4

pts/Acre

Signal Word Form. Pts./Acre gal/acre MCPA MCPP Dicamba

Trimec Encore Danger DMA Salt 4.00 0.50 1.49 0.32 0.15

Tri-Power Danger DMA Salt 4.10 0.51 1.59 0.31 0.15

If you are banned from using 2,4-D, substitute MCPA. Your weed control will be the same.

Standard 3-Way Mixes“Safety Mixes”

Signal Rate lbs of ae per acre at 4 pts/Acre

Herbicide Word Pints/Acre 2,4-D MCPP Dicamba

Trimec LAF 637 Danger 3.7 1.52 0.25 0.06

Trimec - Bentgrass Warning 6 0.53 0.33 0.14

Triplet - Sensitive Danger 4 0.41 0.72 0.18

Low rate of dicamba for tree safety

Low rate of 2,4-D for sensitive grass safety (e.g. bentgrass)

Standard 3-Way Mixes“Specialty Mix”

High Rate lbs of ae per acre

Signal Word Pts./Acre gal/acre 2,4-D 2,4-DP MCPP Dicamba

Super Trimec* Warning 3.0 0.4 0.7* 0.4* 0.0 0.2

Triamine Danger 4.0 0.5 0.6 0.3 0.3 0.0

* EsterDoubles the rate of dicamba for vs. standard 3 – way mix, but no MCPP.

These both add 2,4-DP, a sister compound of 2,4-D which has no effect on weed control.

Getting rid of the MCPP and using an ester formulation lowers the signal word because esters don’t cause irreversible eye damage

2,4-D (or 2,4-DP) + MCPP + DicambaMCPA + MCPP + Dicamba

Good Control:Common Dandelion, False Dandelion, Plantain,Mousear Chickweed

Fair Control: Black Medic & Clover

Poor Control: Oxalis, English Daisy, Yarrow, Veronica

Amine formulations

Common Dandelion

Good Control with standard 3-Way mixes

Common Dandelion

Generally easy to control– Rarely requires repeat applications– Fall applications are highly effective

• Products:– Mixtures, 2,4-D, (Drive is weak)

False Dandelion

Good Control with standard 3-Way mixes

False Dandelion

Surprisingly hard to control– Fall applications are more effective– Repeat treatments necessary– Spring treated weeds tend to recover

• Products:– Mixtures with 2,4-D, 2,4-D + Drive.

Broadleaf Plantain

Good Control with standard 3-Way mixes

Broadleaf Plantain

Generally easy to control– May require repeat applications– Fall applications are highly effective

• Products:– Mixtures, 2,4-D, Drive

Mousear Chickweed

Good Control with standard 3-Way mixes

Mousear Chickweed

• Fairly easy to control– May need repeat applications– Timing is flexible

• Products:– Most mixtures, MCPP, Dicamba

Summer annual: Germinates @ 50 ° FGrows thru summer and seedsDies from frost in fall

Spotted Spurge

Good Control with standard 3-Way mixes

Spotted Spurge

• Post emergence:– All mixtures– Early in season is best– May require repeat applications

What about?

• Clovers• English Daisy• Veronica• Oxalis (Woodsorrel)• Common Yarrow• And others……

Strategies for improving mixture performance

1.Change components2.Add components3.Change formulations

Modified 3-way Mixtures

Escalade 2 Super Trimec

2,4-D* 2,4-D**Fluroxypyr** Dichlorprop**Dicamba Dicamba

Chaser Ultra 2 Cool Power

MCPA** MCPA** * AminesFluroxypyr** Triclopyr** ** EstersDichlorprop* Dicamba

Add/Change Components

Speedzone Powerzone

2,4-D** MCPA**MCPP*** MCPP***Dicamba*** Dicamba*** * AmineCarfentrazone Carfentrazone ** Ester

*** AcidQ 4 Plus Surge2,4-D* 2,4-D*Quinclorac MCPP*Dicamba* Dicamba*Sulfentrazone Sulfentrazone

New Components

Carfentrazone & Sulfentrazone:

Family: aryl triazolinone

Impact: Faster weed response in cool weather Increased spectrum of weed control

Pyraflufen is also in this class

White Clover

Fair Control – repeat applications needed

Clovers

Easy to injure, hard to kill– Fall applications are more effective– Repeat treatments necessary– Spring treated weeds tend to recover

• Products:– Mixtures with Drive, Triclopyr,

Clopyralid, or Fluroxypyr

English Daisy

Poor Control

English Daisy

Hard to kill– Fall applications are more effective– Repeat treatments improve kill– Spring treatments tend to recover

• Products:– Mixtures with Drive, and SpeedZone + Drive

+ Dicamba, Penoxulam.

Rate Control

Treatments pts/acre Apps. 10 wks.

Speedzone 5 2 100

+ Drive 1 lb/acre  

+ Dicamba 0.7    

Drive 75 DF + MSO 1 lb/acre 2 99.9

Mec amine D 4 2 99.3

Surge 4 1 85

Speedzone 4 1 78.5

Untreated 0 0 0

OSU 2004 English Daisy Control Trial*

*Trial conducted by Brian McDonald

Untreated Drive

Mecamine DSpeedzone

4 weeks after trt.

Speedzone + Drive + Dicamba: 4 wks

New Herbicides

• Alone: No longer available.• Mixtures: Escalade 2

Chaser 2 ultra

Fluroxypyr

Single spray weed control at 4 weeks after treatment

TreatmentFalse

D.Com

D.W

CloverHeal-

all

         

Spotlight 67.3 77.8 100 56.4

2,4-D amine. 92 96.3 12.9 13.2

Spotlight + 2,4-D am. 98.1 96.8 81.1 84

Spotlight + Triplet 99.8 99.1 89.2 88.7

Escalade Low Odor 95.7 96.3 33.3 46.2

Untreated 0 0 0 0

OSU 2005 Broadleaf Weed Control Trial*

*Conducted by Brian McDonald

Single spray weed control at 12 weeks after treatment

TreatmentFalse

D.Com

D.W

CloverHeal-

all

         

Spotlight 94 65.2 100 75.7

2,4-D amine 94.8 94.4 94.1 31.6

Spotlight + 2,4-D am. 98.6 97.9 100 96

Spotlight + Triplet 99.8 96.3 100 100

Escalade Low Odor 99.6 92.3 100 99.8

Untreated 0 0 0 0

OSU 2005 Broadleaf Weed Control Trial*

*Conducted by Brian McDonald

New Herbicides

• Alone: No longer available.• Mixtures: Escalade 2

Chaser 2 ultra

Fluroxypyr

Veronica filiformis

Treatment pts/acre Apps%

Control

       

Spotlight + 2,4-D 2 + 1 2 99.4

Spotlight 2.5 2 98.9

Drive 75 DF + MSO 1 lb/acre 2 98.8

Spotlight + 2,4-D 1 + 2 2 97.9

Escalade 2 3 2 94.9

Confront 2 2 56.7

Untreated na 0 32.4

OSU 2006 Veronica filiformis trial*

* Conducted by Brian McDonald

9 weeks after treatment

Wood Sorrel

Poor Control with 3-Way Mix – need Triclopyr

Woodsorrel, Oxalis corniculata

Common yarrow

Poor Control with 3-Way Mix – need Triclopyr

Black Medic, Medicago Lupulina

Black Medic

Not difficult to kill- Treat in spring- Treat before or at early flower• Products:

–Mixtures with Triclopyr, Drive

Clopyralid, or Fluroxypyr.

Lawn violets, Viola sp.

Lawn Violets

• Generally difficult to control– Requires repeat applications– Fall applications are more effective

• Products:– Mixtures with Triclopyr are most effective

Ground Ivy, Glechoma hederacea

Ground Ivy• Timing:

–Fall ( Oct 1- Nov 1)• Chemicals:

–Strong

Triclopyr, 2,4-D, Fluroxypyr, Mixtures–Weak

Dicamba, Clopyralid, Quinclorac

Quiz

Chemicals that do a good job controlling:

Clover and Black medic

Answer

Clover & Black Medic Control

Carfentrazone, Drive, fluroxypyr, and clopyralid

Quiz

Chemicals that do a good job controlling:

Veronica

Answer

Veronica Control

Drive, Fluroxypyr

Quiz

Chemicals that do a good job controlling:

English Daisy

Answer:

English Daisy

Drive, Q4 Plus, Speedzone + Drive + Dicamba, Penoxulam.

(Control may be variable based on biotype.)

Quiz

A chemical that does a good job controlling:

Oxalis,Yarrow, Lawn violets, & Ground Ivy

Answer:

Oxalis,Yarrow, Lawn violets, & Ground Ivy

Triclopyr

2,4-D (or 2,4-DP) + MCPP + DicambaMCPA + MCPP + Dicamba

Good Control:Common Dandelion, False Dandelion, Plantain,Mousear Chickweed

Fair Control: Black Medic & Clover,

Poor Control: Oxalis, English Daisy, Yarrow, Veronica

Amine formulations

Overview

1. Making sense of all the Choices a. Review the “standard” 3 – way mixes

b. Look at “new kids” on the block

c. Review “alternative” herbicide mixes

2. Review the common weeds and match the herbicides to the weeds.

3. Maximizing weed kill – other factors.

4. Go through a few scenarios.

General control guidelines

1. Treat healthy weeds2. Increase turf vigor3. Do irrigate before treating4. Don’t irrigate after 5. Don’t mow before6. Repeat treatments 2-4 weeks typical

General control guidelines

7. Seasonal timingFall is bestSpring is okaySummer is worst

8. RatesFollow label instructions

General control guidelines

9. Avoid injury to sensitive grassesUse lower ratesUse safer products

Sensitive grasses: Bentgrass Poa trivialis Young fine fescue

General control guidelines

10. Amine vs. Ester?

Amines are better in warmer weather.

Esters are better in cooler weather.

Esters are “safer” to humans.

Horsepower

“Danger” Signal word

• Dimethyl Salt of MCPA

• Trimethyl Salt of Triclopyr

• Dicamba

Cool Power

“Caution” Signal Word

• Iso-octyl Ester of MCPA

• Butoxy Ester of Triclopyr

• Dicamba

Amines vs. Esters – Signal Word

Causes irreversible eye damage!

Causes moderate eye irritation.

Scenario #1 – Unirrigated site loaded with False Dandelion

Scenario #1 - Steps

1. Irrigate

2. Fertilize

3. Get grass and weeds healthy and growing

4. Make 2 applications of “Standard” 3-Way mix in Late Summer/Early Fall.

5. If you have resistant weeds, use a product with Drive (e.g. Q4 Plus)

Low N fertility favors clover

Scenario #2 – Neglected lawn that is irrigated. Weeds: clover, common dandelion, plantain.

Scenario #2 - Steps

1. Irrigate, if needed, and fertilize.

2. Get grass and weeds healthy and growing.

3. Make 2 applications of SpeedZone, Q4 Plus, or Escalade 2. (i.e. you need to add Carfentrazone, Quinclorac, Triclopyr, or Fluroxypyr to get good clover control)

4. Apply in cool weather if you use esters.

Scenario #3 – Wet site with English Daisy

Scenario #3 - Steps

1. Wait until fall.

2. Fertilize, if necessary.

3. Make two applications in fall of:– Drive + MSO (or add drive to 3 – way)– Q4 Plus– If problems, try Sapphire (Penoxulam)– Last resort – SpeedZone (5 pts/A) + Banvel

(0.66 pts/A+ Drive 75 DF(1 lb/A)

Note: SpeedZone only has 0.03 oz ai/1,000 sq. ft. of dicamba and the Banvel adds 0.12 oz ai/1,000.

Sum Up

1. I.D. your weeds and grasses

2. Pick your herbicide and read the label.i. Amine vs. Ester?

ii. Will chemicals kill weeds?

iii. Are your grasses sensitive to this herbicide?

3. Get grass and weeds growing, if necessary

4. Make 2 applications at the correct time of year (e.g. watch for leaf out with esters).