Fall 2021 was a hard year for brome growers. In most of the late-harvested (mid-to-late July) fields, when plants started to regrow, the armyworms were everywhere in eastern Kansas. Some of these fields were sprayed with insecticide two or three times, while the brome was using its reserves to grow new leaves and the worms were voraciously eating. As a result, some of these fields are dead and needing to be replanted. However some of them are significantly damaged and growers will need to decide on the best course of action.
For the dead fields, growers could seed brome in the spring, but weed pressure will be high. Controlling emerged weeds will be critical for successful establishment of a new stand. Light tillage or a non-selective herbicide can be used to control any emerged winter annual weeds. It is also likely that thin stands allowed greater than usual weed seed production during the summer of 2021. It will be important to control these weeds in newly established bromegrass. Herbicide options are limited in seedling bromegrass (Table 1). Mowing is a non-chemical option that could be considered to reduce weed competition and prevent weed seed production during establishment.
On the other hand, in some of the damaged fields, growers could wait to see if the brome will come back. In this case, controlling weeds during the spring and summer will be a need. Herbicides commonly used in established bromegrass are listed in Table 1. Care should be taken to observe plant-back intervals that may interfere with establishment if fall-seeding of bromegrass is needed.
Table 1. Herbicides labeled for use in smooth bromegrass. Consult label for appropriate rate and adjuvant selection.
|
Herbicide |
Weeds controlled |
Used in establishment |
Plant-back interval |
Suppression expected |
|
2,4-D |
Broadleaf |
After 6 leaf stage |
30 days |
|
|
Chaparral |
Broadleaf |
No |
1 year |
Yes |
|
Cimarron Max |
Broadleaf |
No |
2 months |
|
|
Cimarron Plus |
Broadleaf |
No |
2 months |
|
|
Clarity |
Broadleaf |
No |
45 days per 16 fl oz/A |
May be injured with > 16 fl oz/A |
|
Crossbow |
Broadleaf |
No |
3 weeks |
|
|
DuraCor |
Broadleaf |
No |
45 days |
Yes |
|
Facet |
Annual grass/broadleaf |
No |
10 months |
|
|
Grazon P+D |
Broadleaf |
No |
60 days |
Yes |
|
GrazonNext HL |
Broadleaf |
No |
Grasses may be reseeded in the fall following an application in spring or early summer |
Yes |
|
Milestone |
Broadleaf |
No |
1 year |
Yes |
|
PastureGard HL |
Broadleaf |
After tillering |
3 weeks |
|
|
Plateau |
Grass and broadleaf |
No |
26-36 months |
Yes |
|
Range Star |
Broadleaf |
> 6 leaves |
3 weeks per quart |
|
|
Rave |
Broadleaf |
60 days after emergence |
4 months |
|
|
Remedy Ultra |
Broadleaf |
No |
3 weeks |
|
|
Tordon 22K |
Broadleaf |
After tillering |
Grasses may be reseeded in the fall following an application in spring or early summer |
Yes |
|
Yukon |
Broadleaf |
No |
2 months |
|
The use of trade names is for clarity to readers and does not imply endorsement of a particular product, nor does exclusion imply non-approval. Always consult the herbicide label for the most current use requirements.
Sarah Lancaster, Weed Management Specialist
slancaster@ksu.edu
Walt Fick, Range Management Specialist
whfick@ksu.edu
Bruno Pedreira, Agronomist, Southeast Research and Extension Center
pedreira@ksu.edu