Just as the release of TifEagle and MiniVerde™ have increased the market for greens renovation, the release of TifGrand™, TifSport and Celebration™ bermudagrass along with SeaIsle1, SeaIsle Supreme, SeaDwarf® and PlatinumTE paspalum is pushing a renewed interest in fairway and tee renovation in the Southeast. Unfortunately, some projects are not allocating sufficient time and resources to kill the existing turf that is the target of the renovation.

In the May 2000 issue of Golf Course Management, Dr. John Boyd presented research results that showed the use of Fusilade II with Round Up Pro (glyphosate) gave improved bermudagrass control when used in two applications as compared to the 1988 study published by B. J. Johnson that recommended three applications were necessary for bermudagrass control. As you develop your renovation plans, it is important to note the following:

*Both studies showed that the highest rate of bermudagrass kill was 96%.

*Both studies allowed for approximately 30 days between applications (with B.J. Johnson allowing almost 60 days between the second and third application).

*Both studies indicated that plant re-growth was essential between applications.

*Both studies confirmed that multiple applications at lighter rates were more successful than a single application at a heavier rate.

*Both articles refer to bermudagrass control, not eradication, in the first year with spot treating necessary in second year.

Almost five years ago, we began a process of renovating our entire bermudagrass production to achieve a goal of becoming 100% Fumigated, Georgia Certified. We believe we are the only turf production facility in the world that can make this claim. In this process we learned the following is necessary to achieve a 99+ % control of off type bermudagrass.

*Multiple applications of Round Up & Fusilade II (usually three applications with at least a thirty day re-growth period).

*An aggressive re-growth regimen is required to flush new growth between each application.

*Fumigation with Methyl Bromide (450lb per acre rate).

*An ongoing structured spot spray program to help insure long term results.

Although it is not always possible for a golf course to allocate this amount of time and resource to the renovation process, it is certainly true that the greater the effort in the beginning, the better the results in the end.

More Information

Kill off bermudagrass with one less spraying

The use of Glyphosate in bermudagrass weed control

Bermudagrass fairway restoration