Herbicide available for grass burrs
By JASON BYRD County Extension agent

Good news for agricultural producers battling field sandburs (grass burrs) in Bermuda grass pastures was announced by the Texas Department of Agriculture.

TDA has issued a crisis exemption that authorizes the use of Pendimethalin Prowl H20, (EPA Reg. No. 241-418) to control field sandburs in Bermuda grass pastures and hay fields in Texas.

Action was taken following consultation between TDA staffperson Ed Gage and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency personnel Feb. 1.

Prowl H20 is a pre-emergent (restricted use) herbicide manufactured by BASF that is to be applied to established Bermuda grass pastures (established is defined as planted in the fall or spring which has gone through at least a first cutting/ mowing) during winter dormancy or in the spring prior to green-up.

Application should be made using a low boom (20 inches above the ground) and ASAE fine to medium/ coarse nozzles, at a broadcast rate of 2.1 to 3.2 quarts per acre prior to weed emergence, with a minimum of 20 gallons of water or 20 gallons of liquid fertilizer per acre.

All label restrictions and precautions should be followed.

Some stunting and chlorosis of Bermuda grass may occur with post-emergence applications.

Applications made after Bermuda grass exceeds six inches in height may result in poor weed control due to possible reduced spray coverage to the soil.

Pendimethalin (Prowl H20) must not be used directly adjacent to native habitat where any endangered species occur.

An untreated buffer zone of 200 feet is required where endangered species may occur in the proximity.

Pendimethalin (Prowl H20) is to be applied by certified applicators, licensed applicators or by persons under the direct supervision of a licensed applicator.

While this announcement is good news, it doesn't leave much time for producers to get those preemergent applications out.

Texas AgriLife Extension Service research has shown Pendimethalin (Prowl H20) to be most effective when timely rainfall was received following application to get the product activated and into the soil profile.

These trials typically saw an 80 to 90 percent control rate when using the 3.2 quart per acre rate. Remember, nothing helps control weeds more than a well-growing Bermuda grass stand.

Competition from the Bermuda grass goes a long way toward keeping the influence of sandburs to a minimum.

Contact the Texas Department of Agriculture (1-800-TELLTDA) or a local Texas AgriLife Extension Service Office with any questions.