Goosegrass Biology and Management in Turf1
Darcy E. P. Telenko, Ramon G. Leon, and J. Bryan Unruh2
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)
Bermudagrass
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. Augustinegrass
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
Centipedegrass
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
Bahiagrass
Preemergence: benefin + oryzalin, benefin + trifluralin, dimethenamid-P, dithiopyr, indaziflam, metolachlor, napropamide, oryzalin, pendimethalin, prodiamine, prodiamine + isoxaben, prodiamine + sulfentrazone
Postemergence: prodiamine+sulfentrazone, sulfentrazone, sulfentrazone+imazethapyr
Seashore Paspalum
Preemergence: dimethenamid-P, dimethenamid-P + pendimethalin, dithiopyr, indaziflam, oxadiazon, pendimethalin, prodiamine, prodiamine + isoxaben, prodiamine + sulfentrazone
Postemergence: prodiamine + sulfentrazone, sulfentrazone
Zoysiagrass
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
Perennial Ryegrass
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.
Footnotes
This document is ENH1133, one of a series of the Environmental Horticulture Department, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date June 2009. Revised February 2013 and April 2016. Visit the EDIS website at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.
Darcy E. P. Telenko, former postdoctoral research associate; Ramon G. Leon, assistant professor, Agronomy Department; and J. Bryan Unruh, professor, Environmental Horticulture Department; UF/IFAS West Florida Research and Education Center, Jay, FL 32565.
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 UF/IFAS Extension publications, contact your county's UF/IFAS Extension office.
U.S. Department of Agriculture, UF/IFAS Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A & M University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Nick T. Place, dean for UF/IFAS Extension.
