Several products have been introduced over the past few years that promised to control broadleaf weeds. Several of these products have shown promise in fighting weeds in sports turf, although the use of one, Imprells, was suspended in 2011 due to suspected injury to pines, spruces and other ornamental plants. In fact, the number of products registered to control broadleaf weeds in sports turf has doubled since 2000. Before using any herbicides, however, it is important to consult the label to be sure the product is safe for the type of turf it will be used to treat.

1. Dimethenamid-P
Winning the War on Weeds
cwsportsturf.com/blog/winning-the-war-on-weeds/
Keith Kitchen
Winning the War on Weeds
Several products have been introduced over the past f ew years that promised to control broadleaf
weeds. Several of these products have shown promise in f ighting weeds in sports turf , although the
use of one, Imprells, was suspended in 2011 due to suspected injury to pines, spruces and other
ornamental plants. In f act, the number of products registered to control broadleaf weeds in sports
turf has doubled since 2000. Bef ore using any herbicides, however, it is important to consult the label
to be sure the product is saf e f or the type of turf it will be used to treat.
Preemergence Products
There are several products available f or preemergence that have been released recently and show
promise in treating broadleaf weeds:
Dimethenamid-P
– This product should only be used on sports turf
with warm-season turf grass, although it is labeled
f or cool-season turf grass f or golf courses. The
explanation f or this labeling is that the product will
discolor annual and rough bluegrass on cool-
season f ields, but will not control the grass. The
product is marketed by BASF under the Tower name.
It is particularly ef f ective on goosegrass and has a
quick reseeding interval of six weeks.
Prodlamine and Quinclorac
– Of ten, preemergence herbicide does not control
crabgrass ef f iciently. However, Cavalcade PQ,
introduced by SipcamAdvan a f ew years ago, works
well at controlling crabgrass if it is applied in the leaf
stage. Although the product can be used earlier in
the season, there is more chance of having
adequate control if the product is applied later. In
f act, a study at Ohio State University f ound that when the product was applied during May, 85
to 95 percent control was achieved.
Pre- and Postemergence Products
There are several products that have been released over the past f ew years that perf orm well f or
both pre- and postemergence weed protection, with the most promising being topramezone. This

2. product inhibits carotenoid biosynthesis, a process that causes bleaching of leaf tissue. It is
recommended f or use only on centipedegrass, Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass and a f ew
species of f escue. It is only recommended f or spot treatment on sports turf , although there is
indication that the company will lif t that recommendation in the near f uture. It provides exceptional
control of goosegrass and sedges, and some research indicates that it could also provide
postemergence control of crabgrass. The product is sold by BASF under the name Pylex.
Postemergence Products
For postemergence treatments, several products released over the past f ew years are showing
promise in the control of annual bluegrass and ryegrass:
Flazasulfuron
– This product was originally only labelled f or use on college and prof essional f ootball f ields,
but the labeling has changed. Today, the product may be used on sports turf that consists of
bermudagrass, zoysiagrass, centipedegrass and seashore paspalum. It is not recommended
f or use on carpetgrass or St. Augustine grass. The product works well in removing overseeded
cool-season turf grass species, such as annual ryegrass. It is registered f or control of 58
grassy and broadleaf weeds, and although it has shown promise in preemergence, it is
primarily used f or post-emergence. The product is marketed as Katana Turf Herbicide and is
manuf actured by PBI Gordon.
Amicarbazone
– This product is designed to control annual bluegrass along with other weeds, even on
sports turf . Some research indicates that the product is 90 percent ef f ective in controlling
annual bluegrass, whose control can be variable at best. The label recommends two
application schedules f or Kentucky bluegrass and perennial ryegrass, but some experts say
that a lighter application works best. The product should only be applied at temperatures
below 85 degrees Fahrenheit. One of the best aspects of the product is that it can be used on
dormant or active warm-season turf grasses. The product is marketed under the name
Xonerate f rom Arysta Lif eScience.
Although these products show promise in the treatment of broadleaf weeds, it is important to read
all labels thoroughly bef ore application to determine if the type of sports turf that will have the
product applied is suitable f or the herbicide. As some of these products are still f airly new, there
could still be other problems that develop as they increase in use, much like what happened with
Imprelis in 2011.
Commonwealth Sports Turf has been improving

3. Imprellis
Commonwealth Sports Turf has been improving
and maintaining quality sports turf since 2003. If
you have questions about products being used
on your sports turf , contact Commonwealth
Sports Turf today online or by telephone to
learn more.
Photo Credits:
Artif icial Turf
Wikipedia: Acetochlor
Imprellis Damage by John Kaminski
Keith Kitchen
Owner at Commonwealth Sports Turf Services
Growing up on a working f arm that f eeds your f amily gave Keith an appreciation f or
the importance of planning f or growth. It was corn and peanuts then, now it sports
turf . Af ter graduating f rom Virginia Tech with a Bachelors of Science in Agricultural
Economics and spending 5 years with Southern States, Keith partnered into a new business venture
overseeing natural turf maintenance f or Luxury Lawns, a startup maintenance company. Continued
growth over 20 years has placed Luxury Lawns, a company Keith now owns, in the top small
businesses in the Midlothian area specializing in residential turf management, landscape design and
installation, and hardscape applications. Af ter success in the residential turf market, Keith launched
Commonwealth Sports Turf and now manages the day to day operations of the business.
Latest posts by Keith Kitchen (see all)
Winning the War on Weeds - March 28, 2014
Sports Turf Industry Outlook f or 2014 – Mid-Atlantic Region - March 17, 2014
How To Manage Turf When It Wont Stop Snowing - March 3, 2014
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