FEATURE STORY
POA ANNUA: I’M STILL HERE By Jim Brosnan, Ph.D., University of Tennessee
T
hings are different in 2020. Social distancing, mask mandates, and sanitizing equipment were not part of the lexicon prior to this year but have become the norm in response to COVID-19. The pandemic has also challenged many in the turfgrass industry to adjust (or reduce) staffing and operate under budget restrictions that will likely remain for some time. Despite all of the changes brought forward in 2020, one constant remains the same in the turfgrass world — there will be a need to control Poa annua. My staff at the University of Tennessee jokes that it is “Poa365” in our lab because we are constantly researching Poa annua to assist turfgrass managers in controlling this weed on golf courses, sports fields, lawns, and sod farms. Knowing that summer is coming to a close and many will soon be making product decisions via early-order programs, the objective of this post is to share lessons learned over the past 12 months to aid with decision making this season.
Why is Poa Annua so Difficult to Control in the Transition Zone? 1) EMERGENCE IS A MOVING TARGET Many turfgrass managers aim to control Poa annua infestations in the transition zone (and southern United States) with applications of preemergence (PRE) herbicides in early fall. One limitation to this approach is that unlike other annual grassy weeds (e.g., crabgrass), Poa annua can germinate across a wide range of environmental conditions which makes timing a PRE herbicide application quite difficult.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 20
18
TENNESSEE TURFGRASS OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2020 Email TTA at: info@ttaonline.org
Photo courtesy of Jose Vargas
