Lespedeza Identification and Control in Turfgrass
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Lespedeza Identification and Control in Turfgrass Patrick McCullough, University of Georgia Common lespedeza (Kummerowia striata (Thunb.) Sericea lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata Dum. Cours.) Schind syn. Lespedeza striata) is a freely branched, is a perennial species found in Georgia that may also summer annual legume that is a problematic weed in be a weed of lawns and landscapes. Unlike common lawns and other turf areas. Common lespedeza, also lespedeza, sericea lespedeza has an erect growth known as Japanese clover or annual lespedeza, has habit and may reach 5 feet in height if unmowed. In three smooth, oblong leaflets with parallel veins that regularly maintained turfgrass, sericea lespedeza can are nearly perpendicular to the midvein (Figure 1). be distinguished from common lespedeza by alternate, As common lespedeza matures, the stems harden and hairy leaves that are divided into three, oblong leaflets become woody, which is attributed to persistence and (Figure 3). Flowers are clustered and white with competition with turfgrasses in late summer (Figure 2). purple markings (Figure 4). The distribution of sericea Flowers are pink to purple and present in the leaf axils. lespedeza throughout the United States is similar to Other lespedeza species may also be found as weeds common lespedeza. in turf, but common lespedeza is the primary species in Georgia. Figure 4. Sericea lespedeza leaves and flower. Figure 1. Common lespedeza Figure 2. Common lespedeza Photo by P. McCullough. in a centipedegrass lawn. woody stems in late summer. Photo by P. McCullough. Photo by P. McCullough. Korean clover (Kummerowia stipulacea (Maxim.) Figure 3. Leaves of sericea Makino syn. Lespedeza stipulacea), is an annual lespedeza (top) and common species similar in growth and appearance to common lespedeza (bottom). lespedeza. Korean clover has the weediness potential Photos by P. McCullough. of common lespedeza but is distinguished by antrorse hairs (angled upward on stems) while common Cultural Control lespedeza has retrorse stem hairs (angled downward Several cultural practices can be used to control or on stems). Korean clover and common lespedeza reduce pressure of lespedeza species in turf. Deep are distributed across the eastern United States from and infrequent irrigation encourages turfgrass root Florida to New York and west to Nebraska and Texas. development, which may improve the ability of desired grasses to compete with annual weeds in Preemergence Herbicides mixed stands. Withholding water until the desirable Certain preemergence herbicides will control turfgrass species exhibits initial drought stress annual and perennial lespedeza if applied before symptoms can help reduce soil moisture for potential seeds germinate (Table 2). Application timing of weed infestations. Overwatering, especially in shady preemergence herbicides for lespedeza control in early areas, may predispose the site to the invasion of spring is important. Preemergence herbicide should lespedeza and other annual weeds. be applied in spring as soil temperatures reach low- to mid-50s (°F) in the upper 4 inches of the soil profile. Practices that promote soil compaction should be Split applications may help extend the length of avoided to promote turfgrass growth and competition residual activity into late summer for control. with weed populations. If possible, turf managers should redirect traffic away from stressed areas to help Most preemergence herbicides used in spring provide promote turfgrass recovery over thinned turf. Core erratic levels of common lespedeza control. Dithiopyr aerifications should be conducted during active turf (sold as Dimension) is a preemergence herbicide growth and favorable periods for quick recovery. Voids applied for grassy weed control but effectively left in turf with exposed soil following aerification controls common lespedeza in spring. Dithiopyr at may permit weed invasion during periods of peak 0.5 lb ai/acre or split applications of 0.375 lb ai/acre germination. For tall fescue, aerficiation should be followed by 0.375 lb ai/acre after six to eight weeks timed in early fall, once the grass has recovered from may provide excellent control (greater than 90 percent) summer stresses. Warm-season grasses should only of common lespedeza. be aerified during active growth to promote recovery. Early spring aerification may predispose lawns to Triazine herbicides, including atrazine and simazine, summer annual weed establishment since the grasses also have preemergence activity for controlling are not able to fill in voids in a timely manner. lespedeza species. Atrazine (brands include Aatrex and Bonus) is labeled for centipedegrass, Mowing height, frequency, and equipment zoysiagrass, St. Augustinegrass, and bermudagrass. requirements vary among turfgrass species and Atrazine can be applied to actively growing and practitioners should maintain turf under appropriate dormant centipedegrass or St. Augustinegrass, regimes for successful long-term culture (Table 1). but bermudagrass can be injured if treated while Raising the mowing height during peak germination actively growing. Simazine (brands include Princep of annual weeds, such as common lespedeza, may and WynStar) may be applied to bermudagrass, encourage turf competition to reduce potential centipedegrass, St. Augustinegrass, and zoysiagrass infestations. Lower mowing heights reduce lawns. Atrazine and simazine provide preemergence photosynthetic capacity of turfgrasses and may reduce control of lespedeza, but soil residual generally lasts competition with weed populations. Turfgrass should four to six weeks and repeat applications are required also be mowed frequently during periods of vigorous to control populations. Several atrazine and simazine growth to prevent scalping. Scalping thins out turf and products are not labeled for residential lawns and turf may enable weed establishment. managers should check labels for further information Table 1. Mowing Requirements for Lawns in Georgia before use in these areas. Mowing Requirements for Other preemergence herbicides, such as isoxaben (sold Turfgrasses as Gallery), may control lespedeza, but results are Mower Height Frequency often erratic and do not last the entire growing season. Species Type (Inches) (Days) Bermudagrass Preemergence herbicide applications on non-irrigated Common Rotary/reel 1 to 2 5 to 7 sites have less potential for residual lespedeza control Hybrid Rotary/reel 0.5 to 1.5 3 to 4 compared to irrigated turf from product loss, poor soil incorporation, and lack of herbicide activation Centipedegrass Rotary 1 to 2 5 to 10 by rainfall or irrigation. Turf managers should return St. Augustinegrass Rotary 2 to 3 5 to 7 clippings on non-irrigated sites to help move potential Tall Fescue Rotary 3 5 to 7 herbicides remaining on leaf tissue to the soil. If Zoysiagrass Reel 0.5 to 2 3 to 7 clippings are collected as part of routine maintenance, end-users should consider returning clippings until Lespedeza Identification and Control in Turfgrass 2 UGA Extension Bulletin 1395 at least 0.5 to 1 inch of rainfall is received. Granular growing bermudagrass. Simazine (like WynStar) products may also be applied to non-irrigated sites may be applied to actively growing bermudagrass, for better soil incorporation than liquid formulations. centipedegrass, St. Augustinegrass, and zoysiagrass Granular products may be easier to handle and and provides excellent postemergence control. apply with less equipment necessary than sprayable formulations. Granular preemergence herbicides See product labels for registered areas of these should be applied when morning dew is no longer products before using for postemergence lespedeza present to avoid interference from leaf tissue. control. See Table 2 for a list of herbicides labeled for use in turf and efficacy ratings for postemergence Postemergence Herbicides common lespedeza control. See Table 3 for turfgrass Sulfonylurea herbicides are popular for postemergence tolerance levels to preemergence and postemergence weed control in warm-season grasses but have herbicides for common lespedeza control. variable activity on broadleaf weeds. Metsulfuron Table 2. Efficacy of Herbicides for Common (brands include Manor) is an effective postemergence Lespedeza Control in Turfgrass sulfonylurea for broadleaf weed control in Southern Herbicides lawns (Table 2). Metsulfuron (60 DF) applications Application Common Trade Control† from 0.25 to 0.5 oz of product per acre effectively Timing Name Name control annual broadleaf weeds, but repeat (Examples) applications may be needed for complete control of Preemergence atrazine Aatrex, F-G lespedeza, especially in late summer. Combination Bonus S, products containing metsulfuron, such as Blindside others (metsulfuron + sulfentrazone) also effectively control dithiopyr Dimension E common lespedeza in warm-season grasses. Tall simazine Princep, F-G fescue is sensitive to metsulfuron at rates required for Wynstar, effective broadleaf weed control and other chemistries others are generally more suitable for cool-season turfgrasses Postemergence 2,4-D + Trimec, G (Table 3). dicamba + Triplet, MCPP others Combinations of metsulfuron with another broadleaf atrazine Aatrex, E herbicide, such as dicamba, are effective treatments for Bonus S, lespedeza control in most warm-season grasses (Table others 2). Dicamba has significant activity on lespedeza and dicamba Banvel, E others other broadleaf weeds. Dicamba is a benzoic acid herbicide commonly found in prepackaged