FALL 2026
DON ’T M ISS T H E 2 0 2 6
Annual MTC Conference and Trade Show DE CE MBE R 1 5 t h
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Certified Bermudagrass From Coast to Coast
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MTC Turf News is published quarterly for the MTC by: Leading Edge Communications, LLC P.O. Box 246 Brentwood, TN 37024 To discuss advertising opportunities, contact: sales@leadingedge communications.com
8 2026 MTC OFFICERS & BOARD OF DIRECTORS
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Ben Ellis 2806 Brewster Rd Waldorf, MD 20601 P) (571) 340-0122 admin@mdturfcouncil.org
PRESIDENT Logan Freeman Mountain Branch Golf Club 1827 Mountain Rd Joppa, MD 21085 C) (208) 866-6380 Lfreeman@mountainbranch.com
VICE PRESIDENT Sara Lechlider Synateck Solutions 737 Hagey Center Drive Souderton, PA 18964 C) (240) 418-7676 slechlider@synateksolutions.com
12
SECRETARY
CONTENTS • FALL 2026
Brady Scales Congressional Country Club 8500 River Road Bethesda, MD 20817 O) (301) 469-2000 Ex. 3775 C) (443) 604-6788 bscales@ccclub.org
TREASURER
8
CO V E R S T O RY
Don’t Miss the 2026 MTC Annual Conference & Trade Show
DEPARTMEN T S 5 6 6 7
MTC Board Advisors President’s Message Index of Advertisers News from MTC
12 FE AT U R E Granular Flumioxazin as an Alternative to Oxadiazon
4
MTC TURF NEWS
Find this issue, Podcasts, Events and More: THETURFZONE.COM
Grant Putman Quantico Creek Sod Farm 27616 Little Lane Salisbury, MD 21801 C) (443) 336-7784 Grant@qcsod.com
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT Brandon Sands Manager of Grounds Services Howard County Public Schools 8800 Ridge Road Ellicott City, MD 21043 O) (410) 313-2577 C) (667) 240-4065 Brandon.Sands@hcpss.org
Three-Year Director Terms Andrew Harrison Pocono Turf 312 Inverness Close Westminster, MD 21158 C) 443-547-0252 andrewpoconoturf@gmail.com John Fowler Amazing Grass P.O. Box 1243 Bel Air, MD 21014 C) (510) 331-0211 John@amazinggrass-pys.com Kimberly Bowling Central Sod Farms 920 John Brown Rd Centreville, MD 21617 O) (410) 827-5000 C) (410) 991-9034 Kim@centralsodmd.com
Two-Year Director Terms Frederick Johnson M-NCPPC 7401 Bock Road Fort Washington, MD 20774 C) (240) 882- 4539 Frederick.johnson@pgparks.com Matt Harvey McHale Landscape Design 6216 Leapley Rd Upper Marlboro, MD C) (931) 251- 0405 mharvey@mchalelandscape.com Harlyn Goldman, CGCS Stonewall Resort, Palmer Course 940 Resort Drive Roanoke, WV 26447 O) (304) 269- 8861 Hgoldman@stonewallresort.com
One-Year Director Terms Jason Beauchamp Collins Wharf Sod Farm 25361 Collins Wharf Rd Eden, MD 21822 C) (443) 738-5222 Jason@collinswharfsod.com John Decker Natural Green Systems 2155 Solomons Island Rd S Prince Frederick, MD 20678 O) (443) 432-3882 John@naturalgreenlawnandpest.com Mollie Wyatt Nutrien Ag Solutions 8963 Yellow Brick Rd Rosedale, MD 21237 USA C) (410) 371-4125 Mwyatt6922@gmail.com
MTC BOARD ADVISORS
MARYLAND DE PA RTMENT OF AGRICULTU R E Rick Boldissar Turf & Seed Section 50 Harry S Truman Parkway Annapolis, MD 21401 Work: 410-841-5968 • Cell: 443-791-2896 Rick.boldissar@maryland.gov Kelly Love Pesticide Regulation 50 Harry S Truman Parkway Annapolis, MD 21401 410-841-5710 • kelly.love@maryland.gov
Specializing in Bentgrass Sod for Greens, Tees & Fairways. Fine and Tall Fescue Regular and Shortcut Bluegrass Kevin Driscoll
Cell: 609-760-4099 | Office: 856-769-9555 KDriscoll@EastCoastSod.com
Tim Zang Urban Nutrient Management 50 Harry S Truman Parkway Annapolis, MD 21401 Work: 410-841-5955 Cell: 410-980-9084 tim.zang@maryland.gov UNIVE RSITY OF M A RY L A ND Department of Plant Science & Landscape Architecture Dr. Mark Carroll Environmental & Pesticides 2132 Plant Science Bld. College Park, MD 20742 Campus: 301-405-1339 Farm: 301-314-6303 mcarroll@umd.edu Institute of Applied Agriculture Geoffrey Rinehart Turfgrass Management 2113 Jull Hall • 4196 Stadium Dr. College Park, MD 20742 Campus: 301-405-4692 Cell: 253-592-3528 rinehart@umd.edu
GRASS SO GREEN THAT WE NEEDED AN EXTRA “E” Our Liquid Nutritionals & Specialty Fertility Products Are Blended To Feed Plants, Improve Soil Fertility & Build Topsoil
Professor Emeritus: Dr. Tom Turner Turfgrass Nutrients / Extension 624 Woodsman Way • Crownsville, MD 21032 Farm: 301-314-6302 Cell: 410-353-8859 tturner@umd.edu Dr. Kevin Mathias Turfgrass Entomology 66 Eddins Lane • Ruckersville, VA 22968 Cell: 301-233-2211 jkm@umd.edu Dr. Peter Dernoeden Turfgrass Pathology 18086 White Oak Dr. • Milton, DE 19968 Home: 302-329-9281 Cell: 302-359-9943 pd@umd.edu
Healthy Turf starts with Greene County Fert. Ship Direct. Pro support always included.
GreeneCountyFert.com FALL 2026
5
INDEX OF ADVERTISERS
East Coast Sod & Seed.. ................... 5 www.eastcoastsod.com PRESIDENT’S LETTER
Greene County Fertilizer Co.............. 5 www.greenecountyfert.com
MTC Membership and Industry Partners,
Leading Edge Communications....... 11 www.LeadingEdgeCommunications.com
Smith Seed Services. . ...................... 6 www.smithseed.com
As
I write, the seasons are beginning to change. Shorter days and cooler mornings are finally bringing relief from the summer grind. As turf managers move beyond simply keeping turf alive, we can focus on recovery and strengthening our managed turf for 2027. Just as we prepare our turf for 2027, MTC is preparing for the 2026 Turfgrass Conference and the 2027 Legislative Session. The MTC Education Committee has been working hard to assemble another strong lineup of speakers, and we look forward to the topics and discussions at Turf Valley in December.
Summit Hall Turf Farm, Inc...................Back Cover www.summithall.com
The Turf Zone............................... 14 www.theturfzone.com
The Turfgrass Group........................ 3 www.theturfgrassgroup.com
On the legislative front, we stay engaged with our contacts during the “off-season” to keep the needs of Maryland turfgrass managers at the forefront and our relationships strong. This approach allows us to hit the ground running when the legislative session begins.
Trimax Mowing Systems.............. Inside Front Cover, 15
I hope everyone enjoys the fall season, and I look forward to seeing you at the annual MTC Turfgrass Conference!
Council magazine. Subscriptions are compli-
www.trimaxmowers.com
MTC Turf News is the Maryland Turfgrass mentary to MTC members. The statements and opinions expressed herein are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily rep-
Logan Freeman
President Maryland Turfgrass Council
resent the views of the association, its staff, its board of directors, MTC Turf News, or its editors. Likewise, the appearance of advertisers, or their identification as MTC members, does not constitute an endorsement of the products or services featured in any issue of MTC Turf News. Copyright © 2026 by the Maryland Turfgrass Council. MTC Turf News is published quarterly. Presorted standard postage is paid
BLEND
at Jefferson City, MO. Printed in the U.S.A. Reprints and Submissions: MTC allows reprinting of material published here. Permission requests should be directed to MTC. We are not responsible for unsolicited freelance manuscripts and photographs. Contact the managing editor for contribution information. Advertising: For advertising rates and insertions, please contact Leading Edge Communications, LLC, P.O. Box 246, Brentwood, TN 37024.
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MTC TURF NEWS
NEWS FROM MTC
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Thank you to all of our members for your support for MTC over the years, and welcome to our new members. We look forward to an exciting year with you in 2027!
FALL 2026
7
COVER STORY
2026
MARYLAND TUR FGR A S S CO N FE R E NC E
Hosted by the Maryland Turfgrass Council and University of Maryland | DECEMBER 15, 2026
CONFERENCE PRICES REGISTRATION PERIOD
MEMBER RATE
NON-MEMBER RATE
Early Registration ( November 14 )
$165.00
$280.00
Open Registration
$225.00
$350.00
MTC Website Registration Only ( December 12 – December 14 )
$230.00
$355.00
At The Door
$255.00
$380.00
VENDOR BOOTH PRICES 10' X 10' SINGLE BOOTH (2 BADGES)
10' X 20' DOUBLE BOOTH (4 BADGES)
10' X 30' TRIPLE BOOTH
$725 Before Nov. 13
$1,350 Before Nov. 13
N/A
$900 by Dec. 14
$1,680 by Dec. 14
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Additional attendee badges $30 each
SPONSORSHIPS
8
COST
SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE
Conference Mailings
$700.00
3
Break-Out Rooms
$700.00
6
Continental Breakfast
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2
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6
Tradeshow Hall
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2
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Any Donation Accepted
Unlimited
MTC TURF NEWS
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS 6:30 am
8:30 am – 9:00 am
Registration Opens
Welcome and Introductions (Trade Show Floor) Annual Meeting and Elections (Trade Show Floor)
6:30 am – 8:30 am
Legislative Update (Trade Show Floor)
Doors Open for Registration (Main Lobby)
9:00 am – 10:00 am
Sign up for Professional License Credits (In Hallway prior to Registration) i.e. Pesticides, Fertilizer, Golf Sup, Tree Trimmer, and others.
K EYNOT E S PEA K ER
Continental Breakfast with the vendors (In the Trade Show)
FIFA World Cup 2026 with Dr. Trey Rogers and Evan Fowler
Vendor Set-Up (In the Trade Show) Note: All vendors must be set up no later than 8:15am
10:10 am – 10:55 am
LAWN AND LANDSCAPE
SPORTS TURF
GOLF
Chuck Schuster
Elisabeth Kitchin (VT)
Brian Gietka (USGA) Craig Cochran (GCSAA)
10:55 am – 11:00 am 11:00 am – 11:45 am
Break & Prepare for Next Session Dave Clement
Juan Romero (EcoRobotix)
11:45 am – 12:45 pm 1:00 pm – 1:45 pm
Ben McGraw (PSU)
Trade Show and Lunch Dan Buonaiuto (UMD)
Evan Fowler
1:45 pm – 1:50 pm
Jin Barnaby Dollar Spot Research / AI
Break & Prepare for Next Session
1:50 pm – 2:35 pm
Trey Rogers
Juan Romero (EcoRobotix)
Elisabeth Kitchin (VT)
2:40 pm – 3:25 pm
Geoff Rinehart or Kelly Nichols
Ben McGraw (PSU)
Juan Romero (EcoRobotix)
3:25 pm – 3:45 pm
Turn in Verification Forms PRIOR to leaving
REGISTER ONLINE FOR THE
2026 Maryland Turfgrass Conference w w w .mdt urf council.org
FALL 2026
9
20 2 6 M ARYLAND TU R FG R A S S C ON FE R ENCE Hosted by the Maryland Turfgrass Council and University of Maryland | DECEMBER 15, 2026
D AVE CLEMEN T
M EET THE SPEAKERS DR. T R E Y R O G E R S
JUAN RO MERO
Dr. John “Trey” Rogers III is Professor of Turfgrass Research in Michigan State University’s Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences, where he has served since 1988 and directs the Turfgrass Management Program. A global leader in sports turf, he pioneered the portable natural-grass system for the 1994 FIFA World Cup at the Pontiac Silverdome and led turf design for all 16 venues of the 2026 World Cup, plus the 2004 and 2008 Olympics. His work focuses on turfgrass establishment, renovation, and high-performance playing surfaces.
Juan Romero is Golf and Turf Pre-Sales Manager at Ecorobotix. Raised on a family coffee farm in Honduras, he earned a B.S. in Agricultural Sciences from Zamorano and an M.S. in Turfgrass Weed Science from Virginia Tech, where his research explored non-chemical weed-control methods. He now supports deployment of ultra-high-precision spraying technology that can reduce post-emergence herbicide use by up to 95 percent on golf courses and managed turf.
EVAN FOWLER
D AN BUO N AI UTO
Evan Fowler is a turfgrass professional with deep roots in sportsfield management. A Penn State Turfgrass Science graduate, he gained early experience through his family’s longstanding work on the Little League World Series fields in Williamsport and later served on the Kansas City Royals grounds crew. He continues the Fowler family tradition of excellence in athletic-field care and turf management.
Dr. Daniel Buonaiuto is Assistant Professor in the Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture at the University of Maryland and statewide Extension Specialist in Invasive Plant Biology. He leads the Plant Ecology in Practice lab, focusing on plant phenology, community ecology, invasive-species impacts, and sustainable nursery and turf management practices under global change. He holds a Ph.D. in Evolutionary Biology from Harvard University.
CH UC K S C H U S T E R
10
Dr. David L. Clement is Principal Agent and Extension Specialist in Plant Pathology with University of Maryland Extension, based at the Home & Garden Information Center. For more than three decades he has focused on ornamental and landscape disease diagnosis and lower-risk management strategies. He contributes regularly to IPM reports, conducts educational programs for commercial and residential audiences, and supports turf-related disease outreach across Maryland.
BEN McG RAW
Chuck Schuster is Senior Agent Emeritus with University of Maryland Extension. A longtime commercial-horticulture and nutrient-management educator, he specialized in turf nutrient management, landscape, nursery, and vegetable production across central Maryland. He delivered thousands of educational programs, authored numerous fact sheets and guides, and received the Maryland Grain Producers Association’s James R. Miller Award for his decades of service to agriculture and youth education.
Dr. Ben McGraw is Professor of Turfgrass Science and Program Coordinator for the Turfgrass Science B.S. and World Campus programs at Penn State University. A leading turfgrass entomologist, his research examines the biology and ecology of turf insects—especially the annual bluegrass weevil—emphasizing biological, cultural, and mechanical controls, insecticideresistance management, and more sustainable IPM strategies for intensely managed turf.
ELISABETH KITCHIN
GEOFF RINEHART
Elisabeth Kitchin is a doctoral student in turfgrass science at Virginia Tech, following completion of her M.S. in 2025. Her research centers on precision turfgrass management, including deep-learning models for dollar-spot detection and quantification, targeted pesticide applications, and machine-learning tools for irrigation decision support. She is an active presenter at industry field days and national scientific meetings, advancing data-driven, lower-input turf practices.
Geoffrey Rinehart is Senior Lecturer and Advisor in Turfgrass Management with the Institute of Applied Agriculture at the University of Maryland. He teaches and advises students in the two-year turfgrass certificate programs and the four-year Plant Sciences turf track, oversees NTEP variety trials, and contributes to the annual Maryland–Virginia Recommended Turfgrass Varieties List. He is a frequent resource for industry professionals on cultivar selection and practical turf management. •
MTC TURF NEWS
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Golf Course Superintendents
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FEATURE
Granular Flumioxazin as an Alternative to Oxadiazon Gracie Cotter, Graduate Student, Turfgrass Science, Auburn University Travis Gannon, Professor, Herbicide Chemistry, NC State University Scott McElroy, Professor, Turfgrass Science, Auburn University
F
lumioxazin belongs to the protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPO) inhibitor class of herbicides, group 14 under the HRAC classification system. PPO inhibitors interfere with chlorophyll production, causing a buildup of photodynamic compounds that damage cell membranes, leading to rapid desiccation of tissue and eventual plant death. These herbicides are known for their rapid activity and their ability to target a broad range of weed species, including grasses, broadleaves, and sedges. PPO inhibitors are already familiar to turfgrass managers because of a widely used compound in this same group: oxadiazon. For several decades, oxadiazon has played a distinctive role in warm-season turfgrass weed management. Popular products containing oxadiazon include Ronstar from Bayer and Andersons Goosegrass/Crabgrass Control. Oxadiazon is one of the oldest PPO inhibitors used in turf and has long been valued for two characteristics. First, it inhibits both chloroplast and mitochondrial PPO enzymes, an unusual feature that contributes to its reliable control of annual grasses such as crabgrass and goosegrass (Dayan et al., 2018). Second, in its granular formulation, oxadiazon does not harm root development of established turfgrasses (Johnson, 1980). Because the granules fall through the canopy and directly to the soil surface, they minimize foliar deposition and reduce the likelihood of turfgrass injury. Golf courses, sports fields, and sod farms throughout Alabama have relied on these traits to maintain consistent preemergence weed control in bermudagrass and zoysiagrass systems. However, the landscape surrounding the use of oxadiazon has begun to change. In 2022, the Environmental Protection Agency issued an interim decision (EPA HQ-OPP-2014-0782) that reclassified oxadiazon as a Restricted Use Pesticide. This change does not diminish its effectiveness, but it does alter how and where the product can be applied. At the same time, research monitoring resistance to oxadiazon has documented mutations affecting the PPO1 (chloroplast) target site (Bi et al., 2019). This means that other PPO inhibitors that primarily act on the PPO2 enzyme have the potential for control of oxadiazonresistant weeds. These developments highlight the importance of evaluating additional PPO options for control. Relying on a single active ingredient indefinitely is rarely sustainable, and
12
MTC TURF NEWS
having multiple PPO tools available strengthens long-term weed management flexibility. This context has renewed interest in flumioxazin. While structurally different from oxadiazon, flumioxazin shares the PPO inhibition mode of action and has been used for years in other agricultural settings. What sets it apart is its broader activity on weeds that oxadiazon does not typically control well, particularly sedges and certain difficult broadleaf species. In addition, flumioxazin provides both preemergence and early postemergence activity, making its window of activity wider than many common preemergence herbicides. Historically, flumioxazin has been applied in liquid form. Liquid formulations can be effective, but they also require careful application to avoid unintended leaf injury. In many turf systems, managers may prefer a formulation that allows for uniform placement and less risk of injury to turfgrass. For these reasons, granular flumioxazin formulations have been developed, such as Broadstar from Nufarm and StayGuard from Harrell’s. These products deliver the same active ingredient but in a form that rests on the soil surface rather than coating turfgrass foliage. Interest in how granular flumioxazin performs in turfgrass has grown in part because certain weed species are becoming more prevalent. One example is cockscomb kyllinga (Kyllinga squamulata), an annual sedge with potential perennial tendencies capable of rapid infestation via immense seed production and an ability to thrive in moist, low-mow environments (McElroy et al., 2004). Another is smooth crabgrass (Digitaria ischaemum), a common summer annual grass that remains one of the most competitive weed species in warm season turf and one of the first species to develop herbicidal resistance in turfgrass systems (Heap, 2025). Doveweed (Murdannia nudiflora), with its creeping growth habit and late germination window (Atkinson et al., 2019), has also become increasingly common in Alabama’s warm and humid summers. These weeds differ in biology and emergence patterns, but they share the ability to spread aggressively once established. Each presents challenges for preemergence and early postemergence herbicides, making broad-spectrum materials an asset in management programs. Research Methods. To better understand how granular flumioxazin fits into turfgrass management, a field study was conducted at the Auburn University Sports Surface Field Lab. The trial compared Stayguard, the chosen granular flumioxazin, alone and in sequential applications, several widely used preemergence herbicides such as Barricade, Pendulum Aquacap, and Specticle Flo also alone and in sequential applications, and combinations where a preemergence treatment was followed by a Stayguard application later in the season. The plots were established on bermudagrass mowed at 0.75 inches and weed control ratings were collected throughout the growing season. The study was designed to reflect a realistic management scenario where a turf manager might combine a proven preemergence product with a second application of a granular material to reinforce control or broaden the spectrum. Treatments and their timings are listed in Table 1.
Table 1
Results. StayGuard controlled cockscomb kyllinga and smooth crabgrass effectively in some application scenarios. When as a second application following common preemergence herbicides such as Barricade, Pendulum Aquacap, or Specticle Flo, the StayGuard treatments controlled both smooth crabgrass and cockscomb kyllinga >90% on August 10th, 145 days after the initial application (Figure 1). By comparison, sequential applications of Barricade and Pendulum applied alone controlled cockscomb kyllinga <60% indicating that StayGuard as a second application can improve control of these weeds. For turfgrass practitioners, this means that granular flumioxazin can complement existing programs by strengthening early-season control while also broadening the spectrum to include more problematic sedge species. In addition, bermudagrass tolerance was also encouraging. The granular formulation minimized foliar exposure, which in turn reduced the injury. This reinforces one of the primary advantages of granular herbicides: the ability to deliver the active ingredient directly to the soil surface without coating turf foliage. Finally, the study offered an interesting observation about sedge control. Some cockscomb kyllinga populations had already begun emerging before the sequential granular flumioxazin application was made, yet control was still observed. While granular PPO herbicides are primarily intended as preemergence tools, this raised the possibility of limited activity on newly emerged weeds. Additional research is underway to better understand the soil-based uptake pathways that contribute to this early postemergence effect.
Product
Active Ingredient
Product Rate
AI Rate
Formulation Type
Formulation Concentration
Application
1
Nontreated
2
StayGuard
flumioxazin
300 lb/A
0.375 lb ai/gal
Granular
0.125% w/w
A: March 18, 2025
3
StayGuard StayGuard
flumioxazin flumioxazin
300 lb/A 300 lb/A
0.375 lb ai/gal 0.375 lb ai/gal
Granular Granular
0.125% w/w 0.125% w/w
A: March 18, 2025 B: May 15, 2025
4
Barricade 4FL
prodiamine
32 fl oz/A
1 lb ai/gal
Liquid FL
4 lb ai/gal
A: March 18, 2025
5
Pendulum Aquacap
pendimethalin
3.1 pt/A
1.47 lb ai/gal
Liquid CS
3.8 lb ai/gal
A: March 18, 2025
6
Specticle Flo
indaziflam
9 fl oz/A
0.044 lb ai/gal
Liquid FL
0.6 lb ai/gal
A: March 18, 2025
7
Barricade 4FL Barricade 4FL
prodiamine prodiamine
21 fl oz/A 21 fl oz/A
1 lb ai/gal 1 lb ai/gal
Liquid FL Liquid FL
4 lb ai/gal 4 lb ai/gal
A: March 18, 2025 B: May 15, 2025
8
Pendulum Aquacap Pendulum Aquacap
pendimethalin pendimethalin
3.1 pt/A 3.1 pt/A
1.47 lb ai/gal 1.47 lb ai/gal
Liquid CS Liquid CS
3.8 lb ai/gal 3.8 lb ai/gal
A: March 18, 2025 B: May 15, 2025
9
Specticle Flo Specticle Flo
indaziflam indaziflam
4.5 fl oz/A 4.5 fl oz/A
0.044 lb ai/gal 0.044 lb ai/gal
Liquid FL Liquid FL
0.6 lb ai/gal 0.6 lb ai/gal
A: March 18, 2025 B: May 15, 2025
10
Barricade 4FL StayGuard
prodiamine flumioxazin
21 fl oz/A 300 lb/A
1 lb ai/gal 0.375 lb ai/gal
Liquid FL Granular
4 lb ai/gal 0.125% w/w
A: March 18, 2025 B: May 15, 2025
11
Pendulum Aquacap StayGuard
pendimethalin flumioxazin
3.1 pt/A 300 lb/A
1.47 lb ai/gal 0.375 lb ai/gal
Liquid CS Granular
3.8 lb ai/gal 0.125% w/w
A: March 18, 2025 B: May 15, 2025
12
Specticle Flo StayGuard
indaziflam flumioxazin
4.5 fl oz/A 300 lb/A
0.044 lb ai/gal 0.375 lb ai/gal
Liquid FL Granular
0.6 lb ai/gal 0.125% w/w
A: March 18, 2025 B: May 15, 2025
Figure 1 A – Control of Cockscomb Kyllinga
Figure 1 B – Control of Smooth Crabgrass
As herbicide options continue to evolve, having multiple PPO inhibitors available provides turfgrass managers with greater flexibility and resilience in their programs. Granular flumioxazin products, such as StayGuard, expand the range of tools available for managing difficult annual grasses, sedges, and broadleaf weeds in warm-season turf.
FALL 2026
13
FEATURE • continued
Because of its formulation, granular flumioxazin offers a practical option for sites where ease of application and turf safety are priorities. It can fit naturally into programs that already rely on spring preemergence applications, providing an additional layer of residual control. For Alabama turfgrass systems, where weed pressure is high and growing seasons are long, having an additional PPO inhibitor with a broader weed spectrum is valuable. As research continues and field observations accumulate, turf managers will be able to fine-tune where granular flumioxazin products make the most sense in their program. Final Thoughts. Our work with granular flumioxazin has shown strong potential for managing several challenging warm-season weeds found in Alabama. Programs incorporating Stayguard have been especially encouraging against various sedge species, smooth crabgrass, goosegrass, and doveweed. Annual bluegrass (Poa annua) control, however, has been less impressive. Because annual bluegrass remains a significant winter weed in Alabama, additional research is underway to better understand the coolseason applications of granular flumioxazin. Acknowledgments. This research was partially funded by the Alabama Turfgrass Research Foundation. •
REFEREN CES Atkinson, J. L., McCarty, L. B., Yelverton, F., McElroy, S., & Bridges, W. C. (2019). Doveweed (Murdannia nudiflora) response to environmental resource availability and cultural practices. Weed Science, 67(2), 214–220. https://doi.org/10.1017/wsc.2018.89 Bi, B., Wang, Q., Coleman, J. J., Porri, A., Peppers, J. M., Patel, J. D., Betz, M., Lerchl, J., & McElroy, J. S. (2020). A novel mutation A212T in chloroplast protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPO1) confers resistance to PPO inhibitor oxadiazon in Eleusine indica. Pest Management Science, 76(5), 1694–1700. https://doi.org/10.1002/ps.5703 Dayan, F. E., Barker, A., & Tranel, P. J. (2018). Origins and structure of chloroplastic and mitochondrial plant protoporphyrinogen oxidases: Implications for the evolution of herbicide resistance. Pest Management Science, 74(10), 2226–2234. https://doi.org/10.1002/ ps.4744 Heap, I. (n.d.). The International Herbicide-Resistant Weed Database. Online. Available at www. weedscience.org Johnson, B. J. (1980). Root growth of southern turf cultivars as affected by herbicides. Weed Science, 28(5), 526–528. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0043174500022311 McElroy, J.S., Yelverton, F.H., Burke, I.C., & Wilcut, J.W. (2004). Absorption, Translocation, and Metabolism of Halosulfuron and Trifloxysulfuron in Green Kyllinga (K. brevifolia) and False-Green Kyllinga (K. gracillima). Weed Science, 52(5), 704-710. https://doi.org/10.1614/ WS-03-133R U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (2022). Oxadiazon: Interim Registration Review Decision (Docket No. EPA-HQ-OPP-2014-0782-0151). Retrieved from https://www.regulations.gov/ document/EPA-HQ-OPP-2014-0782-0151
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MTC TURF NEWS
StayGuard 300 lb / A Nontreated
followed by StayGuard 300 lb / A
Pendulum 3.1 pt / A
Pendulum 3.1 pt / A
followed by
followed by
Pendulum 3.1 pt / A
StayGuard 300 lb / A
10 August 2025 – 145 DAIA and 86 DASA
Engineered for superior long-grass performance without compromising finish, the Pegasus SR allows greater grass flow into the deck for a clean, even cut across demanding turf environments. Single Roller Robust Chassis
Zero Daily Maintenance Impact Protection
Flexible Suspension
This article was originally published in Alabama Turf Times Spring 2026 and is reprinted with permission.
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