By Lane Tredway, Ph.D., technical services manager for Syngenta

How to select the best herbicide for your use

A weed can be defined simply as a plant growing where it’s not wanted. An agronomic view would add that weeds compete for water, light and space with desirable plants, and can harbor diseases and insects. But to your customers, weeds diminish the aesthetic value of the golf course.

Importance of pre-emergent control

A weed control plan for golf courses should include a pre-emergent program products such as a Barricade^® brand herbicide and Pennant Magnum^® herbicide to prevent development of weed seedlings. This is particularly important for grass weed control, as there are few options for selective post-emergent grass control. Depending on turf type, Tenacity^® and Manuscript^® herbicides have pre- and/or post-emergent activity on certain grass weeds, such as crabgrass, on turf. However, in landscape areas, woody and herbaceous plants can be sensitive to post-emergent herbicide applications.

Post-emergent control

The most common post-emergent weed control practice in and around landscape areas (and edging) is applying a non-selective herbicide as a direct spray to prevent contact with desirable plants. As turf managers evaluate herbicides for edging and control of weeds, Reward^® herbicide offers fast burn down of grass and dicot weeds without concern of staining concrete, volatility and movement from the application site.

Reward is a contact, non-selective herbicide that disrupts photosynthesis, causing degradation of cell walls. Desiccation of green plant tissue can be seen within hours of application, burning all the foliage it contacts. Reward can be applied as a broadcast spray or in a backpack sprayer for spot treatment applications at 0.75 oz./gal. All applications will need a non-ionic surfactant to enhance plant surface coverage. Other uses include weed control in joints and edges of hard surfaces around landscape areas, winter weed control in dormant turf and burn-down of existing bermudagrass turf prior to overseeding with ryegrass for winter color.

Fusilade^® II Turf and Ornamental herbicide is a selective, systemic herbicide that inhibits the fatty acid synthesis that is required for the growth of new weeds. Because of this mode of action, grass weed control may take two to three weeks, although the plant will stop growing within a week after application. Fusilade II is a grass herbicide that is safe to use around ornamental plants. The spot treatment rate for Fusilade II in landscape areas, fence lines and non-turf areas is 0.75 oz./gal. Poa annua and fine fescue are naturally tolerant to Fusilade II.

Non-selective weed control options

A tank mix of Fusilade II (0.75 oz./gal.) and Reward (0.38 oz./gal.) with a dicot herbicide containing dicamba, triclopyr or halauxifen will enhance control of perennial grass weeds such as bermudagrass, bentgrass, quackgrass, plus dicot weeds. This can be an alternative to glyphosate for non-selective weed control.

Selecting a herbicide

Always consult the product label for complete use and application information

For more information, contact your local Syngenta Territory Manager.

*Will not kill perennial plants

© 2024 Syngenta. Important: Always read and follow label instructions. Some products may not be registered for sale or use in all states or counties and/or may have state-specific use requirements. Please check with your local extension service to ensure registration and proper use. Barricade^®, Fusilade^®, Manuscript^®, Pennant Magnum^®, Reward^®, Tenacity^® and the Syngenta logo are trademarks of a Syngenta Group Company.