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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Tifton, Georgia » Crop Protection and Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #250051
Title: Weed control during establishment of napiergrass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum.) in Georgia.

Author
item CUTTS, G.S. - University Of Georgia
item LEE, R.D. - University Of Georgia
item VENCILL, W.K. - University Of Georgia
item Webster, Theodore
item GREY, T.L. - University Of Georgia

Submitted to: Proceedings of Southern Weed Science Society
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/1/2010
Publication Date: 6/1/2011
Citation: Cutts, G., Lee, R., Vencill, W., Webster, T.M., Grey, T. 2010. Weed control during establishment of napiergrass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum.) in Georgia.. Proceedings of Southern Weed Science Society. San Juan, Puerto Rico, January 24-28, 2011.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Napiergrass is being considered for a possible feedstock for cellulosic ethanol production. Weed control during crop establishment has not been previously studied. Field studies were conducted at the UGA Research Station in Plains, GA and the Ft. Valley State University Research Farm. New field plantings of napiergrass are established vegetatively using cut stems that are buried in trenches in rows spaced 1.8 m. Greenhouse treatments were established by placing cut stems with 3 nodes vertically in pots with two of the nodes below the soil. Herbicides with varying modes of action included those used for selective weed control in related grass crops. Treatments in the field study were applied prior to napiergrass emergence in March 2009. Napiergrass emerged 2 to 3 wks after application (WAA). Data collection included crop stand, plant height, and final plant biomass. At 12 WAA, pendimethalin allowed for 39% greater napiergrass height than the non-treated control, suggesting less weed interference. Terbacil had a 6% reduction in height relative to the nontreated control at 12 WAA. Initial height reduction at 12 WAA in the field study corresponded to results from the greenhouse. However field allowed plants to grow out of any herbicide injury sustained. Stand count and biomass yield were not affected by treatment. All treatments in this study would be reasonable options for initial establishment of napiergrass. Further economic analysis could determine the best option.