Darcy E. P. Telenko, Ramon G. Leon, and J. Bryan Unruh
Goosegrass (Eleusine indica), also known as silver crabgrass or crowfoot, is a major turf weed found throughout Florida. It is a tough, clumped, dark green summer annual with a generally “whitish to silverish” coloration at the center of the plant. The leaf blade is smooth on both surfaces, and occasionally a few hairs can be found near the base on the edge of the blade. It measures 0.2 to 0.4 inches wide. The visible ligule is short toothed and membranous. Seedhead spikelets form in two rows on 2 to 13 “fingers.” Frequently, a single finger will form below the terminal cluster of fingers. Goosegrass tolerates close mowing and compacted wet or dry soils. In the spring, goosegrass germinates when soil temperatures reach 63°F–65°F for at least 24 consecutive hours.
Turf management practices that reduce soil compaction and excess soil moisture and that maintain healthy turf will minimize goosegrass infestation. A number of preemergence herbicides are available for goosegrass control, and applications should be made in late winter or early spring when soil temperatures reach 60°F for 24 consecutive hours to ensure proper placement of the herbicide before goosegrass germination. Postemergence control is dependent on turfgrass species and requires repeat applications of herbicides for successful goosegrass management.
Herbicide Options for Controlling Goosegrass in Florida Turfgrass
(Always refer to the label for specific uses, application rates, and turfgrass tolerance)
Bermuda
Preemergence: benefin + oryzalin, benefin + trifluralin, bensulide, dimethenamid-P, dimethenamid-P + pendimethalin, dithiopyr, indaziflam, metolachlor, napropamide, oryzalin, oxadiazon, pendimethalin, prodiamine, prodiamine + isoxaben, prodiamine + sulfentrazone
Postemergence: diclofop-methyl, foramsulfuron, prodiamine+sulfentrazone, sulfentrazone, sulfentrazone+imazethapyr, thiencarbazon + floramsulfuron+halosulfuron
St. Augustine
Preemergence: Preemergence: benefin + oryzalin, benefin + trifluralin, dimethenamid-P, dimethenamid-P + pendimethalin, dithiopyr, indaziflam, metolachlor, napropamide, oryzalin, oxadiazon, pendimethalin, prodiamine, prodiamine + isoxaben, prodiamine + sulfentrazone
Postemergence: mesotrione (sod production only), sulfentrazone
Centipede
Preemergence: benefin + oryzalin, benefin + trifluralin, dimethenamid-P, dimethenamid-P + pendimethalin, dithiopyr, indaziflam, metolachlor, napropamide, oryzalin, pendimethalin, prodiamine, prodiamine + isoxaben, prodiamine + sulfentrazone
Postemergence: clethodim (sod production only), mesotrione, prodiamine + sulfentrazone, sethoxydim, sulfentrazone, sulfentrazone + imazethapyr
Bahaia
Preemergence: benefin + oryzalin, benefin + trifluralin, dimethenamid-P, dithiopyr, indaziflam, metolachlor, napropamide, oryzalin, pendimethalin, prodiamine, prodiamine + isoxaben, prodiamine + sulfentrazone
Postemergence: prodiamine + sulfentrazone, sulfentrazone, sulfentrazone + imazethapyr
Paspalum
Preemergence: dimethenamid-P, dimethenamid-P + pendimethalin, dithiopyr, indaziflam, oxadiazon, pendimethalin, prodiamine, prodiamine + isoxaben, prodiamine + sulfentrazone
Postemergence: prodiamine + sulfentrazone, sulfentrazone
Zoysia
Preemergence: Preemergence: benefin + oryzalin, benefin + trifluralin, bensulide + oxadiazon, dimethenamid-P, dimethenamid-P + pendimethalin, dithiopyr, indaziflam, metolachlor, napropamide, oryzalin, oxadiazon, pendimethalin, prodiamine, prodiamine + isoxaben
Postemergence: fenoxaprop, fluazifop, formasulfuron, prodiamine + sulfentrazone, sulfentrazone, sulfentrazone + imazethapyr
Rye
Preemergence: bensulide, dithiopyr, oxadiazone, pendimethalin, prodiamine
Postemergence: fenoxaprop (unless on overseeded turf), sulfentrazone
Refer to the publication Pest Control Guide for Turfgrass Managers at http://turf.ufl.edu/pdf/2012_UF_Pest_Control_Guide.pdf for brand names associated with chemical names listed.