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Publication #ENH1126

Torpedograss Biology and Management in Turf1

J. Bryan Unruh, Darcy E. Partridge-Telenko, and Barry J. Brecke2

Torpedograss (Panicum repens) is a perennial grass with robust, creeping, sharply pointed rhizomes. Stems are stiff and erect with leaves that are folded or flat and sparsely hairy on the upper surface. Torpedograss seedheads are stiff and have ascending or appressed branches. Reproduction occurs primarily by rhizomes. Torpedograss is mainly found in the Gulf Coast region of the United States from Florida west to Texas. Control of torpedograss is limited and may require the use of non-selective herbicides followed by resodding to eliminate it from severely infested areas.

Figure 1. 

Figure 2. 

Figure 3. 

Herbicide options for controlling torpedograss in Florida turfgrass

(Always refer to the label for specific uses, application rates and turfgrass tolerance)

Figure 4. 

Bermudagrass

  • Preemergence: none

  • Postemergence: quinclorac, trifloxysulfuron

St. Augustinegrass

  • Preemergence: none

  • Postemergence: none

Centipedegrass

  • Preemergence: none

  • Postemergence: none

Bahiagrass

  • Preemergence: none

  • Postemergence: none

Seashore paspalum

  • Preemergence: none

  • Postemergence: quinclorac

Zoysiagrass

  • Preemergence: none

  • Postemergence: quinclorac, trifloxysulfuron

Perennial ryegrass

  • Preemergence: none

  • Postemergence: none

Refer to the publication Pest Control Guide for Turfgrass Management at turf.ufl.edu for brand names associated with chemical names listed.

Footnotes

1.

This document is ENH1126, one of a series of the Environmental Horticulture Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Original publication date, June 2009. Adapted from: Tim R. Murphy, Daniel L. Colvin, Ray Dickens, John W. Everest, David Hall, and L.B. McCarty. Weeds of Southern Turfgrasses. University of Florida, 1992. Visit the EDIS Web site at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.

2.

J. Bryan Unruh, associate professor, Environmental Horticulture Department; Darcy E. Partridge-Telenko, postdoctoral research associate; and Barry J. Brecke, professor, Agronomy Department; West Florida Research and Education Center, Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, 32611.

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. For more information on obtaining other extension publications, contact your county Cooperative Extension service.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A. & M. University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Millie Ferrer-Chancy, Interim Dean.