Controlling Bahiagrass in Warm-Season Turf
Bahiagrass is often considered a nuisance grass or weed when growing among more desirable grasses such as Centipede, St. Augustine, Zoysia, or Bermuda. Bahiagrass is actively growing during the warmer months of the year and competes with other grasses for nutrients and sunlight. Bahiagrass is considered unsightly due to its seed head that grows quickly and sticks out above other turf. The seed head is "V" shaped at the end and contains numerous seeds that can spread quickly and invade other parts of Centipede, St. Augustine, Zoysia and Bermuda lawns.
Bahiagrass is often found along highways and roadsides and works well for controlling erosion and is very drought tolerant. In the Southeast, bahiagrass is often referred to as "highway grass" for this very reason. It is usually not considered a highly desirable grass for lawns due to its lack of density and less than appealing seed head production.
Lawns that contain other warm-season grasses such as Centipede, St. Augustine, Zoysia, or Bermuda often become infested with bahiagrass due to ability to quickly generate seeds. The best control option to remove bahiagrass from Centipede, St. Augustine, Bermuda, and Zoysia is a selective herbicide known as Manor. Manor selective herbicide can be sprayed over the top of existing Centipede, St. Augustine, Bermuda, and Zoysia grass to remove bahiagrass. Manor is a low-use selective herbicide available in a 2 ounce bottle. Rates for controlling bahiagrass range from 0.25-0.75 ounces per acre. In addition to controlling bahiagrass, Manor also controls a large number of broadleaf weeds.
When applying Manor herbicide to control bahiagrass, mix a non-ionic surfactant (spreader/sticker) agent to help bind the herbicide and spread it out evenly across the leaves of the grass. Non-ionic surfactant is available in a liquid form and is mixed with the herbicide solution to yield better results. Manor selective herbicide will normally take around three weeks before results are noticeable. Most users are able to control bahiagrass with one application, but in situations of severe infestation, two applications may be necessary.
Centipede, St. Augustine, Bermuda, and Zoysia may show some signs of of slight yellowing following application while their growth may be temporarily stunted. Mixing a chelated liquid iron with Manor selective herbicide will help mask any slight yellowing of Centipede, St. Augustine, Bermuda, and Zoysia following application. Please remember to follow label directions. Manor selective herbicide is available at your nearest W.P. Law Inc. location. Click here for directions on store locations. W.P. Law Inc. does ship anywhere in the U.S. Please contact one of our offices for any additional questions you may have.
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