Virginia Turfgrass Journal - July / August 2020

Journal of the Virginia Turfgrass Council

July/August 2020

HERBICIDE RESISTANCE

in Turf, Nursery, and Landscape Ornamentals – Can it Happen on Properties you Maintain?

Member Spotlight on CINDY SMITH

Saving America’s Water In just 4 years, over 500 million square feet of TifTuf has been installed on residential and commercial landscapes, golf courses, and collegiate and professional sports fields across our country. As a result, over 9.5 billion gallons of our precious water resources have already been saved. TifTuf is absolutely changing the face of the American landscape!

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Journal of the Virginia Turfgrass Council | July/August 2020

16 14 Upcoming Events – Come to the Bay and Mid Atlantic Turfgrass Expo

16 Cover Story –

Herbicide Resistance in Turf, Nursery, and Landscape Ornamentals – Can it Happen on Properties you Maintain?

24 Member Spotlight – Cindy Smith, Ph.D.

24 DEPARTMENTS 6 President’s Message from Mike Skelton

8 Director’s Corner

from Tom Tracy, Ph.D.

8 Virginia Tech Turf Team 9 Index of Advertisers 10 Legislative Update

from Larry Nichols at VDACS

11 VTC News 12 VTC Membership Application

Find this issue, Podcasts, Events and More: THETURFZONE.COM

12 Turfgrass Calendar

Virginia Turfgrass Council (VTC) serves its members in the industry through education, promotion and representation. The statements and opinions expressed herein are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the association, its staff, or its board of directors, Virginia Turfgrass Journal, or its editors.

Likewise, the appearance of advertisers, or VTC members, does not constitute an endorsement of the products or services featured in this, past or subsequent issues of this bimonthly publication. Copyright ©2020 by the Virginia Turfgrass Council. Virginia Turfgrass Journal is published bimonthly. Subscriptions are complimentary to members of VTC. POSTMASTER: Send change of address notification to VTC, P.O. Box 5989, Virginia Beach, VA 23471. Postage guaranteed. Third-class postage is paid at Jefferson City, MO. Printed in the U.S.A. Reprints and Submissions: Virginia Turfgrass Journal allows reprinting of material published here. Permission requests should be directed to VTC. We are not responsible for unsolicited freelance manuscripts and photographs. Contact the managing editor for contribution information. Advertising: For display and classified advertising rates and insertions, please contact Leading Edge Communications, LLC, 206 Bridge Street, Franklin, TN 37064-3394, (615) 790-3718, Fax (615) 794-4524. Deadlines are the first of the month prior to the following month’s publication. (Example: August 1 for the September issue.)

4 | VIRGINIA TURFGRASS JOURNAL July/August 2020 www.vaturf.org

President’s Message

BE SAFE OUT THERE

D

uring this time of Covid-19 Virus when I first wake up in the morning and before I go to bed at night the turf community is in my thoughts and prayers. I am so proud of all you are doing to keep the standard of service high for your customers plus protecting your workers who are then able to keep their families safe and secure. Thank You. What is the new normal?

I don’t have an answer… Mine seems to be Zoom meetings, social distancing, planning for a safe time to go shopping, not going to baseball games and eating all meals at home (other than curbside pickup), etc…

This is what it has meant for the VTC. 1. Our normal face to face Board

meetings is now on Zoom. Tony saves a 4+ hour drive time one way.

We seem to have better attendance from our Board members because they are able to take less time away from work and families.

2. We have formed new and reactivated old committees, so we are at a new stage of very active committees with the turf industry and members their primary commitment. These committees are working hard and coming up with fantastic ideas with viable plans to be put into action.

Please contact Tom Tracy if you are willing to serve on any of our committees. They are: a. Membership b. Government Relations

Virginia Turfgrass Journal is the official publication of The Virginia Turfgrass Council P.O. Box 5989 Virginia Beach, VA 23471 Office: (757) 464-1004 Fax: (757) 282-2693 vaturf@verizon.net

Mike Skelton VTC President

c. Development d. Finance e. M-A-T-E Conference f. Come to the Bay 3. We are very focused on how to help

the Virginia turfgrass community adjust to whatever the new normal is at the moment. a. Pesticide recertification available through a webinar and maybe soon in person as the state opens up. b. Fertilizer recertification. c. VT Field Day as a virtual meeting. d. VT Short Course maybe as an online event. (Stay tuned) 4. The Membership and Legislative committee are working on establishing a close relationship with education programs. The committees will be working closely with Dr. Dan Sandor as an advisor and member of the membership committee. Some of the ideas are: a. Special membership for High School and College Students b. Students to visit legislators with the Legislative Committee Thanks to all who are serving the Turf Community through their commitment to the Virginia Turfgrass Council.

Please contact Tom Tracy or any of the Board members with your ideas or concerns that will help our Virginia Turf Community. It’s not an issue we can address unless it is brought to our attention.

BE SAFE OUT THERE.

6 | VIRGINIA TURFGRASS JOURNAL July/August 2020 www.vaturf.org

PUBLISHED BY Leading Edge Communications, LLC 206 Bridge Street Franklin, Tennessee 37064 (615) 790-3718 Fax: (615) 794-4524 Email: info@leadingedgecommunications.com EDITOR Mark Vaughn, CGCS VTC OFFICERS President Michael Skelton (540) 718-4133 Vice President Phil Bailey, CGCS Virginia Green Lawn Care (757) 572-1981 Secretary / Treasurer Jimmy Viars, CGM Gloucester County Public Schools (804) 815-2779 Past President Scott Woodward Woodward Turf Farms (540) 727-0020 VTC DIRECTORS Wes Bray Sam Burris Scott Caskie Tony Montgomery Bruce Sheppard T.J. Skirsky Craig Zeigler ­ VTC ADVISORY MEMBERS OF THE BOARD Mike Goatley, Ph.D. (Chair) Shawn Askew, Ph.D. Jeffrey Derr, Ph.D. David McCall Ph.D. Dan Sandor, Ph.D. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR/ DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS Tom Tracy, Ph.D. (757) 464-1004 VIRGINIA TURFGRASS FOUNDATION Brandyn Baty (757) 585-3058

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Journal of the Virginia Turfgrass Council | 7

Virginia Tech Turf Team

Director’s Corner

Shawn D. Askew, Ph.D.

Virginia Tech 435 Old Glade Road Blacksburg, VA 24061 (540) 231-5807 askew@vt.edu

A VOICE FOR THE

INDUSTRY

G

Jeffrey F. Derr, Ph.D.

Tom Tracy, Ph.D. VTC Executive Director

overnment officials and the regulations they create affect everyone in the turfgrass and landscape industries. From applying fertilizers to hiring workers to dealing with stormwater and noise restrictions, federal, state, and local governments reach deep into our businesses.

The VTC seeks to be a voice for the industry – representing you to persons and agencies whose pen stroke can make or break your livelihood. Sometimes the response is very positive, like when a U.S. Congressman called VTC Member Ray Funkhouser at home to ask a question about turfgrass.

Sometimes our job is to interpret – or decode – regulations for our members.

For instance, here is one gem from the IRS: For purposes of paragraph (3), an organization described in paragraph (2) shall be deemed to include an organization described in section 501(c)(4),(5), or (6) which would be described in paragraph (2) if it were an organization described in section 501(c)(3)* Fortunately, most agencies and their regulations do not reach this degree of insanity. In most cases common sense still prevails and many Virginia regulatory agencies seek to use plain English. But we still work to interpret bureaucratese when it is found so we can explain its implications for our industry.

Because regulatory agencies are so important, this issue of the Journal presents a new feature that highlights the ones that affect us. An article from Larry Nichols, who heads the Division of Consumer Protection of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, leads the way. VDACS is a huge agency that regulates all aspects of agriculture, including turfgrass and landscape industries.

Larry’s oversight includes the fertilizers and pesticides we use. His article lets us know about the new threshold for reporting fertilizer usage. Reporting is quick, does not require disclosure of any proprietary information, and really helps Virginia meet federal guidelines.

Benefits of aggressively working with government officials are huge. At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, we worked with VDACS on many issues, including delaying renewing Certified Pesticide Applicator licenses by 60 days. That delay gave persons extra time to find a recertification class since many programs were cancelled.

Please read what Larry Nichols has to say about fertilizer reporting. You will see him again in a future Journal when he introduces us to VDACS new on-line systems. This web portal is exciting. For years we have asked VDACS for such a system. Future articles will feature key persons from two other agencies that affect us: The Department of Conservation and Recreation and the Department of Environmental Quality.

Tom Tracy, Ph.D. VTC Executive Director

* 26 U.S.C. § 509 – U.S. Code – Title 26. Internal Revenue Code § 509

8 | VIRGINIA TURFGRASS JOURNAL July/August 2020 www.vaturf.org

Virginia Tech Hampton Roads Agricultural Research Station 1444 Diamond Springs Rd. Virginia Beach, VA 23455 (757) 363-3912 jderr@vt.edu

Mike Goatley Jr., Ph.D.

Virginia Tech 420 Smyth Hall Blacksburg, VA 24061 (540) 231-2951 goatley@vt.edu

David McCall, Ph.D.

Virginia Tech 435 Old Glade Road Blacksburg, VA 24061 (540) 231-9598 dsmccall@vt.edu

Dan Sandor, Ph.D.

Virginia Tech 411 Price Hall Blacksburg, VA 24061 (540) 231-977 dsandor@vt.edu

WITH SUPPORT FROM: Thomas P. Kuhar, Ph.D.

Virginia Tech Dept. of Entomology 216 Price Hall 170 Drillfield Drive Blacksburg, VA 24061 (540) 231-6129 tkuhar@vt.edu

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sales@leadingedgecommunications.com www.LeadingEdgeCommunications.com Journal of the Virginia Turfgrass Council | 9

Legislative Update

VDACS UPDATE From Larry M. Nichols – Director, Division of Consumer Protection – Virginia Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services

The

Virginia General Assembly amended Virginia’s Commercial Fertilizer Law (Law) in 2020 and the changes to the Law will require additional fertilizer applicators to submit an annual report on the acreage of non-agricultural land to which fertilizer was applied the previous year. The Law currently requires fertilizer applicators who apply fertilizer to more than 100 acres of nonagricultural land during the previous year to report, to the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS), the acreage or square footage of non-agricultural land to which fertilizer was applied. The current Law exempts applicators who apply to less than 100 acres per year from the reporting requirement. (The reporting requirement is based on the area which receives fertilizer and does not include multiple applications. Therefore a two acre yard receiving four applications during the year is reported as two acres, not eight acres).

The amendment to the Commercial Fertilizer Law, which became effective July 1, 2020, reduces the 100-acre reporting threshold to 50 acres. Fertilizer applicators who were previously exempt from the reporting requirement may now have to submit a report as the changes to the Law will require fertilizer applicators who apply fertilizer to more than 50 acres of nonagricultural land per year to submit this annual report. The acreage for the report is based on fertilizer applications made during the calendar year and the report must be submitted to VDACS by February 1 of each year. Information on reporting fertilizer applications to non-agricultural land can be found on the VDACS webpage at: www.vdacs.virginia.gov/plant-industry-services-turffertilizer-reporting-tool.shtml Fertilizer applicators applying lawn fertilizer in accordance with provisions of Regulations for the Application of Fertilizer to Nonagricultural Lands are following recommended best management practices for ensuring that excess nitrogen and phosphorus are not being applied to lawn and turf areas. By eliminating excess nitrogen and phosphorus, runoff of these two fertilizer ingredients into Virginia’s waters will be reduced. As Virginia works toward improving the Chesapeake Bay and other Virginia waterways by reducing runoff from a variety of sources, the lawn and turf acreage which is reported to VDACS allows Virginia to receive credit from the U.S. Environmental 10 | VIRGINIA TURFGRASS JOURNAL July/August 2020 www.vaturf.org

Protection Agency for taking steps to improve the Chesapeake Bay. While this change to the Law will increase the number of fertilizer applicators who must report to VDACS, it should also result in a corresponding increase in the credit Virginia will receive for reducing fertilizer runoff and meeting the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) requirements for the Chesapeake Bay. Information on the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality’s Chesapeake Bay watershed program can be found on their website at: www.deq.virginia.gov/Programs/Water/ ChesapeakeBay.aspx Virginia’s Regulations for the Application of Fertilizer to Nonagricultural Lands requires fertilizer applicators who apply fertilizer to nonagricultural lands to be a Certified Fertilizer Applicator and apply fertilizer at rates, times, and methods that are consistent with the standards and criteria of a nutrient management plan. The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation’s Virginia Nutrient Management Standards and Criteria can be found at: www.dcr.virginia.gov/document/ standardsandcriteria.pdf Information on Virginia’s Certified Fertilizer Applicator program and historical reporting acreage for the past three years can be found on the VDACS website at: www.vdacs.virginia.gov/plant-industry-servicescertified-fertilizer-applicator-training.shtml The Commercial Fertilizer Law can be found at: law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title3.2/chapter36 and Regulations for the Application of Fertilizer to Nonagricultural Lands can be found at: law.lis.virginia.gov/admincode/title2/ agency5/chapter405/

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Seeing the need, the VTC contacted VDACS’ Office of Pesticide Services and industry experts. We asked one question: “Is it possible for us to design and deliver an on-line live recertification class?” VDACS told us the hoops we needed to jump through. We worked with experts to develop a topnotch program that jumped through those hoops. And that program was delivered on two days in April.

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Over 220 persons took advantage of the April recertification class!

Many of them sent very positive comments. Time and time again they thanked the VTC for developing a great program that enabled them to continue to legally apply pesticides.

Journal of the Virginia Turfgrass Council | 11

VTC Membership

JOIN THE VTC TODAY! MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS FOR ALL MEMBERS INCLUDE:

JOIN AS A GROUP OR AS AN INDIVIDUAL

ing at the one-day regional seminars.

Individual Membership One Year — $85

FREE Certified Fertilizer Applicator

Individual Membership Two Years — $150

FREE pesticide recertification train-

training at the Mid-Atlantic Turfgrass Expo in January (M-A-T-E) and the Come to the Bay (February) conference.

FREE entry to the research tour

of turfgrass studies in June at the Hampton Roads AREC.

FREE subscription to our bi-monthly Virginia Turfgrass Journal, offering research and industry updates.

aluable assistance on state and V local legislative and bureaucratic issues. Do you know that every member of Virginia’s General Assembly receives our bi-monthly Virginia Turfgrass Journal? Several Delegates and Senators have said how much they appreciate being on our mailing list.

Monthly email of job postings. iscounts to every one of D our activities.

Diamond Group Membership Benefits of Platinum Group Membership plus assist with our government relations activities.

Minimum of $3,000

MARK YOUR CALENDAR & SAVE THESE DATES! September 15, 2020 Turfgrass and Landscape Field Day

This Virginia Tech event will be virtual

Platinum Group Membership Membership fee of $1,500 includes: 11 to 20 members. end up to 50 of your employees S to one of our Regional Pesticide Training Classes — AT NO COST.

December 7 – 10, 2020 Turfgrass and Horticulture Short Courses Henrico, VA

ear-round membership listing and Y link from VTC website. ertilizer Certification Training or F Pesticide Recertification Training (3A, 3B 60) at your site.

Gold Group Membership Membership fee of $800 includes:

January 19 – 20, 2021

Mid Atlantic Turfgrass Expo Glen Allen, VA

6 to 10 members Silver Group Membership Membership fee of $400 includes: 1 to 5 members

February 23 – 24, 2021 Come to the Bay Virginia Beach, VA

For event news and updates throughout the year, visit: VATURF.ORG 12 | VIRGINIA TURFGRASS JOURNAL July/August 2020 www.vaturf.org

Membership Application OR Join/Renew online at

Complete this application form and — • Mail it to the address at the bottom of this page.

• Or fax it to 757-282-2693

WWW.VATURF.ORG

Member Information First Name____________________________________________ Last Name___________________________________________ Company or Organization____________________________________________________________________________________ Address____________________________________________________________________________________________________ City__________________________________________________ State__________ Zip____________________________________ Phone________________________________________________ Fax__________________________________________________ E-Mail_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Payment SELECT ONE Diamond Group Membership............................................................................................................................. At least $3,000 Platinum Group Membership (11 or more members + Year-round listing and link from VTC website)...................$1,500 Gold Group Membership (6 – 10 members)...................................................................................................................$800 Silver Group Membership (1 – 5 members)....................................................................................................................$400 Individual for Two Years...................................................................................................................................................$150 Individual for One Year.....................................................................................................................................................$85

Pay by Check or by Credit Card Please check appropriate box:

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Virginia Turfgrass Council P.O. Box 5989 Virginia Beach, VA 23471 • Phone: 757-464-1004 • Fax: 757-282-2693 Email: vaturf@verizon.net • Web: www.vaturf.org Journal of the Virginia Turfgrass Council | 13

Upcoming Events

MID ATLANTIC TURFGRASS EXPO JANUARY 19–20, 2021

GREAT PARTNERSHIPS

Virginia Crossing located in Glen Allen

For the first time ever, Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation is moving their popular Urban Nutrient Management Recertification class to the morning of MATE. This class is normally held in Staunton during late fall. Persons who register for MATE will be able to attend DCR’s class at no additional charge.

GREAT SPEAKERS Dr. Matthew Elmore of Rutgers Dr. Grady Miller of NC State Virginia Tech Turfgrass Experts

GREAT LOCATION The Crossings is great Hilton family resort located just north of Richmond. Parking is free and many restaurants and entertainment venues are minutes away.

COME TO THE BAY FEBRUARY 23 – 24, 2021

The 2021 Come to the Bay is a growing conference that will once again be held at the Virginia Beach oceanfront. The two-day event, presented by Agronomic Lawn Management, starts on Tuesday, February 23.

Speakers on that first day include representatives from the United States Department of Labor, the Elizabeth River Project, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Virginia Tech, and many others. Tuesday’s activities will conclude with a social sponsored by Lawns and Gardens Plus. As usual, Wednesday will provide numerous opportunities for pesticide and fertilizer recertification and certification. Also on Wednesday we are partnering with the City of Virginia Beach to plant 6,000 Beach Grass plants on nearby sand dunes.

14 | VIRGINIA TURFGRASS JOURNAL July/August 2020 www.vaturf.org

For test results check www.ntep.org

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Cover Story

HERBICIDE RESISTANCE

in Turf, Nursery, and Landscape Ornamentals – Can it Happen on Properties you Maintain?

By Jeffrey Derr, Ph.D. and Adam Nichols, Virginia Tech

H

erbicide-resistant weeds in turfgrass, ornamental, and nursery crop commodities have been an increasing issue over the past 10 years. It has been a while since we have seen a new herbicide mode of action so we are primarily relying on herbicides developed 20, 30, 40 or more years ago. Until new herbicide modes of action are developed, the issue of herbicide resistance will increase.

Definition of resistance First, some definitions here. When I say “Herbicide Resistance,” I am referring to weed species that used to be controlled by a given herbicide, but now are no longer controlled. This is different from weed species that were always difficult to control – we refer to these as troublesome or tolerant weed species. Examples of troublesome weed species would include species like kyllinga, wild garlic, wild violets, Virginia buttonweed, bindweed, poison ivy, and mugwort (wild chrysanthemum). These troublesome weeds can be controlled, but it may require higher application rates or repeat applications. For herbicideresistant weeds, increasing the application generally has no effect, as the biotype often can tolerate many times the highest use rate.

How resistance develops It is thought that in a population of a given weed species, there may be a few individuals that, through a genetic mutation developed resistance to an herbicide. The mutation may have been present before that herbicide was ever used on the property. Current thinking is that 16 | VIRGINIA TURFGRASS JOURNAL July/August 2020 www.vaturf.org

herbicide application does not cause the genetic mutation that confers resistance, but that the mutations occur as a separate, random process. Often the herbicide provided a high level of control for the susceptible biotypes of that weed species. Repeated applications of that herbicide quickly control the susceptible biotypes, allowing the resistant biotype to spread through uninhibited seed production. If that herbicide is reapplied every year or so for say eight or nine years, the resistant population will increase until it is the dominant biotype. Over that eight or nine years, that herbicide will be less and less effective until it provides no control at all.

Examples of resistance in turf situations There are certain weed species that appear to be prone to developing herbicide resistance, such as annual bluegrass (Poa annua). There are documented cases of annual bluegrass biotypes that have developed resistance to certain herbicides. In 2019, Ian Heap (International survey of herbicide resistant weeds, www.weedscience.org) reported that annual bluegrass ranks third among all herbicide-resistant weed species globally, with resistance to nine different herbicide sites of action. Triazineresistant annual bluegrass has been detected in turfgrass, with simazine being the primary triazine used in turf (mainly used in bermudagrass), with specialized uses of atrazine in certain warm-season turf species. Adam Nichols and I documented triazine resistant annual bluegrass at a golf course in Virginia a number of years ago. We kept seed from that biotype and discovered that biotype was also resistant to Xonerate (amicarbazone). Simazine and amicarbazone both are photosynthetic inhibitors.

Horseweed

Cover Story continued

Annual bluegrass biotypes resistant to the dinitroaniline herbicides have been identified in Tennessee, North Carolina, and Georgia. The dinitroaniline herbicide class incudes prodiamine (Barricade, others), pendimethalin (Pendulum, others) , oryzalin (Surflan, others), and trifluralin (Treflan, others), key turfgrass and ornamental herbicides. Annual bluegrass resistant to glyphosate (Roundup, many others) has been identified in Tennessee and Missouri.

Biotypes of Poa annua resistant to the sulfonylurea herbicides have been documented in Tennessee, Alabama, and Virginia. The sulfonylurea herbicide class includes foramsulfuron (Revolver), trifloxysulfuron (Monument), flazasulfuron (Katana), rimsulfuron, metsulfuron (MSM, Manor, others), and rimsulfuron + metsulfuron (Negate), chemicals used to selectively control cool-season grasses in bermudagrass and certain other warm-season turfgrasses.

We have verified a biotype of annual bluegrass from a golf course that is resistant to the commonly used sulfonylurea herbicides in bermudagrass. The golf course had been using Monument yearly to control annual bluegrass but after years of use had noted reduced control.

In this case, one would have to look at preemergence applications of chemicals like Barricade, Specticle or simazine, or use postemergence treatments of glyphosate or Kerb (pronamide).

Recently, annual bluegrass resistant to early postemergence applications of Specticle (indaziflam) was detected at several locations in the southern U.S. Of extra concern in that research was that one of those annual bluegrass biotypes that tolerated early postemergence applications of Specticle also tolerated postemergence applications of flumioxazin, foramsulfuron, glyphosate, metribuzin, pronamide, and simazine. So that biotype could tolerate six different herbicide modes of action. How can one control such a biotype?

Recently, annual bluegrass biotypes have been identified in Georgia that exhibit differential susceptibility to protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPO) inhibitors, which includes Ronstar (oxadiazon) and flumioxazin (SureGuard, others). Whether it is due to genetic variability in this species or some other reason, clearly annual bluegrass is prone to developing herbicide resistance.

Other weeds besides annual bluegrass have developed resistance to certain herbicides (Table 1, page 20).

Goosegrass has developed resistance to Ronstar in Virginia and to the dinitroaniline herbicides in Tennessee. Lawn burweed in New Zealand and buckhorn plantain in Indiana has developed resistance to the synthetic auxins, so the problem is not limited to grassy weeds. Compressed sedge in Alabama has developed resistance to key sedge herbicides, including halosulfuron (Sedgehammer, Prosedge). Large crabgrass and smooth crabgrass have developed resistance to the postemergence grass herbicides, which includes Acclaim Extra (fenoxaprop), as well as sethoxydim (Segment) and fluazifop (Fusilade, Ornamec).

18 | VIRGINIA TURFGRASS JOURNAL July/August 2020 www.vaturf.org

Groundsel

Poa in bermudagrass

A concern I have is if crabgrass species in Virginia develop resistance to quinclorac (sold by itself under the name Drive, and as a component of combination products such as Q4 Plus, among others.) Quinclorac is the primary herbicide used for postemergence crabgrass control in turf situations and is one of the few postemergence options in bermudagrass. One of the studies we have been conducting at the research station is evaluating alternative herbicides to quinclorac for postemergence crabgrass control in bermudagrass. There are more alternatives to quinclorac for postemergence crabgrass control in coolseason turf.

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Cover Story continued

Table 1 lists resistant weeds reported from general turf areas to the weedscience.org website. It is not a complete list as some cases of resistance in turfgrass have not been reported to this website but it does an indication of the problem. These listings in Table 1 do not mean all populations of those weeds in the states listed are resistant,

just that resistance has been documented in at least one location in that state. As these weeds flower, mowers can move seed from one site to another. Seed can also spread through wind, soil or sod, moving the resistant biotype to new locations.

T AB L E 1 : Herbicide resistant weeds reported from turf to the International Herbicide-Resistant Database, www.weedscience.org #

YEAR

SPECIES

COMMON NAME

1

2009

Poa annua

Annual bluegrass

2

1982

Poa annua

Annual bluegrass

3

1999

Soliva sessilis

Lawn burweed

4

2012

Poa annua

Annual bluegrass

5

2012

Poa annua

Annual bluegrass

6

2015

Cyperus compressus

Compressed sedge

7

1992

Eleusine indica

Goosegrass

8

2008

Digitaria sanguinalis

Large crabgrass

9

2014

Chamaesyce maculata

Spotted spurge

10

2003

Eleusine indica

Goosegrass

11

2016

Plantago lanceolata

Buckhorn plantain

12

1996

Poa annua

Annual bluegrass

13

2010

Poa annua

Annual bluegrass

14

1996

Digitaria ischaemum

Smooth crabgrass

15

1995

Poa annua

Annual bluegrass

16

1997

Poa annua

Annual bluegrass

17

1988

Eleusine indica

Goosegrass

18

2007

Poa annua

Annual bluegrass

19

2011

Poa annua

Annual bluegrass

20

2013

Poa annua

Annual bluegrass

21

2001

Poa annua

Annual bluegrass

COUNTRY

M OA s

A C T I VE S

Unknown (Z/27)

endothall

Japan

Photosystem II inhibitors (C1/5)

simazine

New Zealand

Synthetic Auxins (O/4)

clopyralid, picloram, triclopyr

ALS inhibitors (B/2)

imazaquin, bispyribac-sodium, foramsulfuron, trifloxysulfuron-sodium

Microtubule inhibitors (K1/3)

prodiamine, pendimethalin, dithiopyr

ALS inhibitors (B/2)

halosulfuron-methyl, sulfometuron-methyl, imazapic, trifloxysulfuron-sodium

Microtubule inhibitors (K1/3)

trifluralin

ACCase inhibitors (A/1)

sethoxydim

ALS inhibitors (B/2)

metsulfuron-methyl

Photosystem II inhibitors (C1/5)

metribuzin

Synthetic Auxins (O/4)

2,4-D

Photosystem II inhibitors (C1/5)

atrazine, simazine

EPSP synthase inhibitors (G/9)

glyphosate

ACCase inhibitors (A/1)

fenoxaprop-P-ethyl

Photosystem II inhibitors (C1/5)

simazine

Microtubule inhibitors (K1/3)

prodiamine, pendimethalin

Microtubule inhibitors (K1/3)

prodiamine, pendimethalin, trifluralin

Microtubule inhibitors (K1/3)

prodiamine, pendimethalin, dithiopyr

EPSP synthase inhibitors (G/9)

glyphosate

ALS inhibitors (B/2), Photosystem II inhibitors (C1/5)

simazine, foramsulfuron, trifloxysulfuron-sodium

Photosystem II inhibitors (C1/5)

simazine

Australia (Victoria)

United States (Alabama)

United States (Alabama)

United States (Alabama)

United States (Georgia)

United States (Georgia)

United States (Georgia)

United States (Hawaii)

United States (Indiana)

United States (Mississippi)

United States (Missouri)

United States (New Jersey)

United States

(North Carolina)

United States

(North Carolina)

United States (Tennessee)

United States (Tennessee)

United States (Tennessee)

United States (Tennessee)

United States (Virginia)

MOAs = mode of action. The letters and numbers listed by the MOAs are from the Weed Science Society of America’s classification system (numbers) and the Herbicide-Resistance Action Committee’s classification system (letters).

20 | VIRGINIA TURFGRASS JOURNAL July/August 2020 www.vaturf.org

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Cover Story continued

Herbicide resistance in the nursery and landscape maintenance industries

One weed that has developed resistance to glyphosate in Virginia and other states is horseweed, often called marestail. Resistance developed primarily due to the extensive use of glyphosate in agronomic crop production.

Horseweed seed can blow a considerable distance in the wind, so it can spread from crop fields to nursery production areas, landscape beds, and noncrop areas.

Generally combinations of preemergence herbicides are used in nursery production and in maintenance of landscape ornamentals to broaden the spectrum of weed control. The herbicides being combined usually differ in their mode of action so applying such combinations helps to reduce the potential for resistance development. A common combination as an example would be combining Gallery (isoxaben), more effective on annual broadleaf weeds, with Barricade (prodiamine), more effective on annual grasses. These two herbicides differ in their mode of action. Besides combinations of sprayable herbicides,

Despite substantial reliance on herbicides for weed management, herbicide-resistant weeds have generally been perceived to be less of an issue in the nursery crop and landscape maintenance industries compared with larger-acreage agronomic cropping systems. Annual bluegrass, common groundsel (Senecio vulgaris), horseweed (Conyza canadensis), and fringed (northern) willowherb (Epilobium ciliatum) have been reported to be herbicide resistant in nursery production in at least one country (Table 2). A majority of the reports are weeds developing resistance to the Photosystem II (PS II) inhibitors, such as simazine (Princep). Although simazine is commonly used in field nursery production, it is not used in maintenance of landscape ornamentals.

T ABL E 2 : Herbicide-resistant weeds reported for the nursery industry throughout the world as reported by Heap 2019 (International Survey of herbicide resistant weeds, www.weedscience.org).

SPEC IES

COMMON NAME

C OU N T R Y

F I R ST YE A R

SI T E OF A CT IO N

Abutilon theophrasti

Velvetleaf

United States (MI)

2004

PS Inhibitors

Amaranthus powellii

Powell Amaranth

United States (MI)

2001

Multiple Resistance PSII inhibitors

Ambrosia artemisiifolia

Common Ragweed

United States (MI)

1990

PSII inhibitors

Ambrosia artemisiifolia

Common Ragweed

United States (MI)

1998

ALS inhibitors

Chenopodium album

Common Lambsquarters

United States (MI)

1975

PSII inhibitors

Conyza canadensis (=Erigeron canadensis)

Horseweed

Switzerland

1982

PSII inhibitors

Conyza canadensis

Horseweed

Belgium

1989

PSII inhibitors

Conyza canadensis

Horseweed

Belgium

1998

PSI Electron Diverter

Conyza canadensis

Horseweed

Czech Republic

1987

PSII inhibitors

Conyza canadensis

Horseweed

United States (MI)

2007

EPSP synthase inhibitors

Epilobium ciliatum

Fringed Willowherb

Belgium

1980

PSII inhibitors

Poa annua

Annual Bluegrass

Belgium

1981

PSII inhibitors

Poa annua

Annual Bluegrass

Norway

1996

PSII inhibitors

Senecio vulgaris

Common Groundsel

United States (WA)

1970

PSII inhibitors

Senecio vulgaris

Common Groundsel

Belgium

1982

PSII inhibitors

Senecio vulgaris

Common Groundsel

Norway

1996

PSII inhibitors

22 | VIRGINIA TURFGRASS JOURNAL July/August 2020 www.vaturf.org

continued Cover Story

there are quite a few granular formulations that contain two active ingredients. An example would be Snapshot, a combination of isoxaben and trifluralin.

If herbicide-resistant weeds are present in nursery production areas, these biotypes could be spread to landscape beds through the planting of infested trees or shrubs.

However, we do not have good information on the spread of herbicide-resistant weed populations from nurseries to landscape beds.

Preventing herbicide resistance What can we do to prevent the development of herbicideresistant weeds? One should rotate herbicide modes of action or look at tank mixes of herbicides with different modes of action. One does not need to do this every year, but maybe every three or four years. For example, one could alternate use of a dinitroaniline herbicide like

prodiamine with Specticle (indaziflam) or oxadiazon in bermudagrass turf on a golf course. Simazine could be alternated with flumioxazin at a tree nursery. Halosulfuron could be alternated with sulfentrazone (Dismiss) for yellow nutsedge control in woody landscape beds and in turf areas. Alternating between FreeHand and Snapshot would be an option in ornamental beds. Utilize both preemergence and postemergence herbicide where possible as these 2 groups generally have different modes of action. To use this strategy, one needs to learn how each available herbicide controls weed (their mode of action).

Use nonchemical means of weed control in your control program. Hand weed plants that survive an herbicide application, thus preventing seed production. Clean equipment when going to other locations to prevent spread of weed seed. By following these suggestions, there is less potential for herbicide resistance to appear on properties you maintain.

Jeffrey Derr, Professor of Weed Science, and Adam Nichols, Turfgrass Research Manager, are located at Virginia Tech’s Hampton Roads Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Virginia Beach. Trade names are listed only for information purposes as examples, and do not imply discrimination of products not mentioned.

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Journal of the Virginia Turfgrass Council | 23

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT ON

CINDY SMITH, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Environmental Science and Policy, Potomac Environmental Research and Education Center, George Mason University Partner at MowCow Lawn and Landscape

If

you paid too much attention to the prevailing attitudes toward lawns and lawn maintenance, you might assume that environmentalism is at odds with the interests of turfgrass industry. But one conversation with Cindy Smith may help you realize that the two actually go hand-in-hand.

As a professional who is invested in both education (as a professor at GMU) and in the lawncare industry (as a partner at MowCow), Cindy has a unique perspective on how anyone can contribute to healthy, thriving ecosystems.

From MowCow’s organic-based approach to inviting her students to more carefully observe their surroundings, Cindy is focused on public education and shifting perception about how we interact with our environment.

In the lawncare sphere, defining terms is a simple but impactful tool that helps Cindy manage expectations and provide a better understanding of plants and their care.

“So many homeowners want ‘chemical free’ lawns. Well, even the ‘natural’ products are chemicals. What they usually mean is lower input. And making that distinction is important,” Cindy says. “Others will tell me they want to add native landscapes. Ok, that means increased maintenance – are you okay with that? Or they want a pollinator patch, but no bees.”

Initiating this conversation with homeowners is key to beginning the long trek to public awareness of best practices in lawn and landscape maintenance and the net benefit when it’s done right. When it comes to her students at George Mason University, sometimes the lesson is as simple as “Touch, See, Do.” Asking students to challenge their expectations and investigate their

CONTINUED ON PAGE 26 24 | VIRGINIA TURFGRASS JOURNAL July/August 2020

Cindy sheltering from the rain in her field office.

Member Spotlight continued

surroundings in a hands-on setting provides an authentic learning experience. One basic exercise that is always eyeopening for students sets the tone for Cindy’s classes: “I have students walk around campus with infrared temperature sensors and measure the temperatures of the pond, turfgrass surfaces, pavers, wood chips, forested areas, asphalt. Before the exercise, they all guess that asphalt is the warmest. It’s actually shredded brown mulch. Turfgrass is the coolest.” It is this simple exercise that begins the process of challenging perception.

Beyond the university classroom and homeowner education, Cindy is invested in the restoration and preservation of the Chesapeake Bay. “What I do with my colleagues at George Mason, is part of the time I’m based at Potomac Science Center,” Cindy says. “My colleagues and I look at probably anything you can imagine, from the sediment on up to the surface, dealing with the Potomac River

NATURE PHOTOGRAPHY BY CINDY SMITH Cindy Smith’s penchant for nature and living things began early.

She recounts her early memories of observing insects. “When I was little, I got in a lot of trouble and my mom would send me to sit on the front stoop with my peanut butter and marshmallow sandwich. I’d watch the red and black ants on either side of the sidewalk crack and put bits of my sandwich down to create an ant war.” Her early fascination with observing plants, insects and wildlife has evolved into a gift for nature photography. “You can learn anywhere, just open your eyes!”

That keen eye for beauty and purpose in nature has grown into a thriving career and a great impact in the Virginia green industry.

26 | VIRGINIA TURFGRASS JOURNAL July/August 2020

water quality. We monitor a couple places, one of them in Dunstan Cove, we’ve been monitoring for almost 37 years, downstream from the NoVa Water Treatment Plant.

So we’ve got the longest running story of Chesapeake Bay recovery from way back when, in the 80s, it was nasty, soupy green water from Washington D.C. down to Quantico.”

Cindy’s involvement in each of these aspects of environmentalism are a great foundation for turfgrass professionals to build upon. Her participation in VTC education and advocacy are a great benefit for the association and individuals. One of the largest hurdles in our industry is public perception, and while we must be united in protecting our livelihood at a legislative level, we also have to remember that this happens one homeowner, one student, one child, one company, one HOA at a time.

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO PLAY WITH www.BUYSOD.com

Neil Jones, Territory Manager – Virginia & Eastern NC njones@buysod.com • 910-975-0002

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