| Weed control is essential in managing high quality turfgrasses. Some pre-emergent (PRE) herbicides may pose a negative effect on rooting architecture (total length, surface area, diameter, and mass) of desirable species. Several PRE herbicides work by negatively affecting normal cell division and development. Evaluations were performed to determine the effects of four PRE herbicides (dithiopyr, oxadiazon, pendimethalin, and quinclorac) on hybrid bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon L. X C. transvaalensis Burtt-Davy) (BG) root architecture. Herbicide treatments were applied to field grown dormant BG in Mid-March of 2008 and 2009. A decrease in root length, and in surface area, was observed at 8 WAT by pendimethalin (55% of control). Twelve WAT the greatest decrease occurred in dithiopyr (40%) and pendimethalin (20%). Sixteen WAT, the greatest decrease was observed by dithiopyr (50%). The results indicate that the PRE's tested can have a negative influence on BG root parameters and possibly water use efficiency. |
