Treatment of Grasses

Land Management Program at Archbold Biological Station
P.O. Box 2057, Lake Placid, FL 33862
Phone 863-465-2571 FAX 863-699-1927
E-mail: landmanager@archbold-station.org

Method
Foliar sprayed with a 3-gallon backpack sprayer during the growing season. All living blades should be foliar sprayed with a herbicide solution.

- If a heavy duff layer or numerous dead grass blades are present, it is best to burn or mow the patch before spraying. Herbicide application can then be applied once the grass reaches a height > 3-4 inches or about 30 days. Heavy duff layer and numerous dead grass blades will limit the effectiveness of the herbicide application.
Herbicide (label information on each herbicide can be obtained by the specific herbicide)

1. Upland Areas: 3% solution of Roundup UltraMax or Velpar L with surfactant
2. Wetland Areas: 3% solution of Glyfos Aquatic with surfactant
Monitoring
Revisit site within 2-3 months, retreating all resprouts.
Follow up visits should occur every three months.

Smutgrass at the Lousy 10: 2 weeks after treatment with Roundup 3%

Understanding The Biology Of Grasses: most grasses are perennial meaning that they will resprout every year if not treated.

1. Clump grasses - grow in a single clump with one root system
    - Often easier to treat and eradicate
    - Typically perennial and spread primarily from seeds
    - Examples: natal grass, guinea grass, and smutgrass

2. Rhizome grasses - grow in a large mass with a root system connected by underground rhizomes
    - Often very difficult to eradicate
    - Spread primarily through a network of underground roots
    - Require multiple treatments to control
    - Examples: para grass, cogon grass, and torpedograss.

3. Clump / Stoloniferous grasses - grass that grows in a single clump with a single root system but also spreads by above ground stems (stolons). Each stem or stolon can root at the nodes, basically forming a new plant.
    - Intermediate in controlling and eradicating. All portions of the base and spreading stolon must be treated.
    - Spreads primarily by stolons and seeds
    - May require multiple treatments to control
    - Example: stargrass, bahiagrass, and St. Augustine grass

NOTE: These are the methods used at Archbold Biological Station to control invasive grasses. Other methods and herbicides are available. Consult with your local county extension agent for further information.

Photo Credits: Jeff Hutchinson

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• Hutchinson, J.T., April 2003.
© Archbold Biological Station, 2003 April.
• Webmaster: Fred Lohrer, email: webmaster@archbold-station.org