A presentation by Brian MacDonald - Making sense of all the Choices -- Review the “standard” 3 – way mixes -- Look at “new kids” on the block -- Review “alternative” herbicide mixes - Review the common weeds and match the herbicides to the weeds. - Maximizing weed kill – other factors. - Go through a few scenarios.

1. Making Sense of All the Post Emergent
Herbicide Options in Turf
Brian McDonald
OSU Horticulture
Dec 17, 2013

2. Turf Herbicides are Like Cereals –
more choices than you need.

3. PBI Gordon Has 8 “Trimec’s”!
1. Super Trimec
2. Trimec 1000
3. Trimec 992
4. Trimec – Bentgrass Formula
5. Trimec Classic
6. Trimec LAF – 637
7. Trimec Plus
8. Trimec Southern

4. NuFarm Has Even More Choices!
1. 4-Speed (Pyraflufen + 2,4-D, MCPP, Dicamba)
2. 4-Speed XT (Pyraflufen + 2,4-D, Triclopyr, Dicamba)
3. Cool Power (Ester Triclopyr, MCPA, Dicamba)
4. Escalade 2 (2,4-D, Fluroxypyr, & Dicamba)
5. Horsepower (MCPA, Triclopyr, and Dicamba)
6. Quincept (2,4-D, Drive, & Dicamba)
7. (3) different “Triplet”s (Low odor, Sensitive & SF)
8. Change Up (MCPA, fluroxypyr, dicamba)
9. Elliptical (2,4-D, Fluroxypyr, & Dicamba)
10. Millennium Ultra 2 (2,4-D, Clopyralid, & Dicamba)

5. How do we make sense out of
all of these?

6. Overview
1. Making sense of all the Choices
a.
b.
c.
Review the “standard” 3 – way mixes
Look at “newer kids” on the block
Review “alternative” herbicide mixes
2. Review the common weeds and match the
herbicides to the weeds.
3. Maximizing weed kill – other factors.
4. Go through a few scenarios.

7. Common Broadleaf Chemicals
Chemical
2,4-D
2,4-DP
MCPA
MCPP
Dicamba
Triclopyr
Clopyralid
Quinclorac
Common formulations
Amine salt
Ester
Amine salt
Ester
Amine salt
Ester
Amine salt
Amine salt
Amine salt
Ester
Amine salt
Amine salt

8. “New Kids on the Block”
Chemical
Common formulations
Fluroxypyr (Spotlight/Escalade 2)
Ester
Carfentrazone (Quicksilver/SpeedZone/ PowerZone)
Sulfentrazone (in Q4)
Pyraflufen (in 4-Speed + 2,4-D, MCPP, Dicamba)
Pyraflufen (in 4-Speed XT + 2,4-D, Triclopyr, Dicamba)
Penoxulam (Sapphire)
Florasulam (Defendor)
Tenacity (Mesotrione) – Post/Pre emergent

9. My Classifications
1.“Standard” 3-way Mixes
2.Non 2,4-D 3-way Mixes
3.Safety 3–Way Mixes
4.Specialty 3-Way Mixes

10. “Standard” Mixtures
2,4-D + MCPP + Dicamba
Amine formulations:
Trimec Classic
Mec Amine-D
Triplet Low Odor

11. Standard 3-Way Mixes
They are all the same thing!
lbs of ae per acre at 4 pts/Acre
Herbicide
Mec Amine-D
Signal Word
Danger
2,4-D
1.22
MCPP
0.33
Dicamba
0.11
Trimec 1000
Warning
1.19
0.33
0.11
Trimec 992
Danger
1.19
0.32
0.11
Triplet - Low Odor
Danger
1.19
0.32
0.11
Triplet - Selective
Danger
1.19
0.32
0.11
Triplet SF
Danger
1.19
0.32
0.11
Lesco Three-Way
Danger
1.19
0.32
0.11
Trimec Classic
Danger
0.99
0.27
0.11

12. Standard 3-Way Mixes
“Non 2,4-D Mixes”
lbs of ae per acre at 4
pts/Acre
High Rate
Signal Word
Form.
Pts./Acre
gal/acre MCPA
MCPP Dicamba
Trimec
Encore
Danger
DMA Salt
4.00
0.50
1.49
0.32
0.15
Tri-Power
Danger
DMA Salt
4.10
0.51
1.59
0.31
0.15
If you are banned from using 2,4-D, substitute MCPA. Your weed control
will be the same.

13. Standard 3-Way Mixes
“Safety Mixes”
Low rate of dicamba for tree safety
Signal
Herbicide
Trimec LAF 637
Rate
lbs of ae per acre at 4 pts/Acre
Word
Pints/Acre
2,4-D
MCPP
Dicamba
Danger
3.7
1.52
0.25
0.06
Low rate of 2,4-D for sensitive grass safety (e.g. bentgrass)
Trimec - Bentgrass
Warning
6
0.53
0.33
0.14
Triplet - Sensitive
Danger
4
0.41
0.72
0.18

14. Standard 3-Way Mixes
“Specialty Mix”
These both add 2,4-DP, a sister compound of 2,4-D which has no effect on weed control.
Doubles the rate of dicamba for vs.
standard 3 – way mix, butacreMCPP.
lbs of ae per no
High
Rate
* Ester
Signal Word Pts./Acre gal/acre
Super
Trimec*
Warning
3.0
0.4
2,4-D
2,4-DP
MCPP
Dicamba
0.7*
0.4*
0.0
0.2
0.3
0.0
Getting rid of the MCPP and using an ester formulation lowers the
signal word because esters don’t cause irreversible eye damage
Triamine
Danger
4.0
0.5
0.6
0.3

15. 2,4-D (or 2,4-DP) + MCPP + Dicamba
MCPA + MCPP + Dicamba
Amine formulations
Good Control:
Common Dandelion, False Dandelion,
Mousear Chickweed
Plantain,
Fair Control:
Black Medic & Clover
Poor Control:
Oxalis, English Daisy, Yarrow, Veronica

16. Common Dandelion
Good Control with standard 3-Way mixes

17. Common Dandelion
Generally easy to control
– Rarely requires repeat applications
– Fall applications are highly effective
• Products:
– Mixtures, 2,4-D, (Drive is weak)

18. False Dandelion
Good Control with standard 3-Way mixes

19. False Dandelion
Surprisingly hard to control
– Fall applications are more effective
– Repeat treatments necessary
– Spring treated weeds tend to recover
• Products:
– Mixtures with 2,4-D, 2,4-D + Drive.

20. Broadleaf Plantain
Good Control with standard 3-Way mixes

21. Broadleaf Plantain
Generally easy to control
– May require repeat applications
– Fall applications are highly effective
• Products:
– Mixtures, 2,4-D, Drive

22. Mousear Chickweed
Good Control with standard 3-Way mixes

23. Mousear Chickweed
• Fairly easy to control
– May need repeat applications
– Timing is flexible
• Products:
– Most mixtures, MCPP, Dicamba

24. Spotted Spurge
Summer annual:
Germinates @ 50 ° F
Grows thru summer and seeds
Dies from frost in fall
Good Control with standard 3-Way mixes

25. Spotted Spurge
• Post emergence:
– All mixtures
– Early in season is best
– May require repeat applications

26. What about?
•
•
•
•
•
•
Clovers
English Daisy
Veronica
Oxalis (Woodsorrel)
Common Yarrow
And others……

27. Strategies for improving
mixture performance
1.Change components
2.Add components
3.Change formulations

28. Modified 3-way Mixtures
Escalade 2
Super Trimec
2,4-D*
Fluroxypyr**
Dicamba
2,4-D**
Dichlorprop**
Dicamba
Chaser Ultra 2
Cool Power
MCPA**
Fluroxypyr**
Dichlorprop*
MCPA**
Triclopyr**
Dicamba
* Amines
** Esters

29. Add/Change Components
Speedzone
Powerzone
2,4-D**
MCPP***
Dicamba***
Carfentrazone
MCPA**
MCPP***
Dicamba***
Carfentrazone
Q 4 Plus
2,4-D*
Quinclorac
Dicamba*
Sulfentrazone
Surge
2,4-D*
MCPP*
Dicamba*
Sulfentrazone
* Amine
** Ester
*** Acid

30. New Components
Carfentrazone & Sulfentrazone:
Family: aryl triazolinone
Impact: Faster weed response in cool weather
Increased spectrum of weed control
Pyraflufen is also in this class

31. White Clover
Fair Control – repeat applications needed

32. Clovers
Easy to injure, hard to kill
– Fall applications are more effective
– Repeat treatments necessary
– Spring treated weeds tend to recover
• Products:
– Mixtures with Drive, Triclopyr,
Clopyralid, or Fluroxypyr

33. English Daisy
Poor Control

34. English Daisy
Hard to kill
– Fall applications are more effective
– Repeat treatments improve kill
– Spring treatments tend to recover
• Products:
– Mixtures with Drive, and SpeedZone + Drive
+ Dicamba, Penoxulam.

35. OSU 2004 English Daisy Control Trial*
Rate
Treatments
Speedzone
+ Drive
+ Dicamba
Drive 75 DF + MSO
Mec amine D
Surge
Speedzone
Untreated
Control
pts/acre Apps.
5
10 wks.
2
100
0.7
1 lb/acre
4
2
2
99.9
99.3
4
4
0
1
1
0
85
78.5
0
1 lb/acre
*Trial conducted by Brian McDonald

36. Untreated
Drive
Speedzone
Mecamine D
4 weeks after trt.

37. Speedzone + Drive + Dicamba: 4 wks

38. New Herbicides
Fluroxypyr
• Alone:
No longer available.
• Mixtures: Escalade 2
Chaser 2 ultra

39. OSU 2005 Broadleaf Weed Control Trial*
Single spray weed control at 4 weeks after treatment
Treatment
False
D.
Com
D.
W
Clover
Healall
Spotlight
67.3
77.8
100
56.4
92
96.3
12.9
13.2
Spotlight + 2,4-D am.
98.1
96.8
81.1
84
Spotlight + Triplet
99.8
99.1
89.2
88.7
Escalade Low Odor
95.7
96.3
33.3
46.2
0
0
0
0
2,4-D amine.
Untreated
*Conducted by Brian McDonald

40. OSU 2005 Broadleaf Weed Control Trial*
Single spray weed control at 12 weeks after treatment
False
D.
Com
D.
W
Clover
Healall
94
65.2
100
75.7
2,4-D amine
94.8
94.4
94.1
31.6
Spotlight + 2,4-D am.
98.6
97.9
100
96
Spotlight + Triplet
99.8
96.3
100
100
Escalade Low Odor
99.6
92.3
100
99.8
0
0
0
0
Treatment
Spotlight
Untreated
*Conducted by Brian McDonald

41. New Herbicides
Fluroxypyr
• Alone:
No longer available.
• Mixtures: Escalade 2
Chaser 2 ultra

42. Veronica filiformis

43. OSU 2006 Veronica filiformis trial*
9 weeks after treatment
Treatment
pts/acre Apps
Spotlight + 2,4-D
2+1
Spotlight
2.5
Drive 75 DF + MSO 1 lb/acre
Spotlight + 2,4-D
1+2
Escalade 2
3
Confront
2
Untreated
na
2
2
2
2
2
2
0
%
Control
99.4
98.9
98.8
97.9
94.9
56.7
32.4
* Conducted by Brian McDonald

44. Wood Sorrel
Poor Control with 3-Way Mix – need Triclopyr

45. Woodsorrel, Oxalis corniculata

46. Common yarrow
Poor Control with 3-Way Mix – need Triclopyr

47. Black Medic, Medicago Lupulina

48. Black Medic
Not difficult to kill
- Treat in spring
- Treat before or at early flower
• Products:
– Mixtures with Triclopyr, Drive
Clopyralid, or Fluroxypyr.

49. Lawn violets, Viola sp.

50. Lawn Violets
• Generally difficult to control
– Requires repeat applications
– Fall applications are more effective
• Products:
– Mixtures with Triclopyr are most effective

51. Ground Ivy, Glechoma hederacea

52. Ground Ivy
• Timing:
– Fall ( Oct 1- Nov 1)
• Chemicals:
– Strong
Triclopyr, 2,4-D, Fluroxypyr, Mixtures
– Weak
Dicamba, Clopyralid, Quinclorac

53. Quiz
Chemicals that do a good job
controlling:
Clover and Black medic

54. Answer
Clover & Black Medic Control
Carfentrazone, Drive, fluroxypyr,
and clopyralid

55. Quiz
Chemicals that do a good job
controlling:
Veronica

56. Answer
Veronica Control
Drive, Fluroxypyr

57. Quiz
Chemicals that do a good job
controlling:
English Daisy

58. Answer:
English Daisy
Drive, Q4 Plus, Speedzone + Drive +
Dicamba, Penoxulam.
(Control may be variable based on biotype.)

59. Quiz
A chemical that does a good job
controlling:
Oxalis,Yarrow, Lawn violets, &
Ground Ivy

60. Answer:
Oxalis,Yarrow, Lawn violets, &
Ground Ivy
Triclopyr

61. 2,4-D (or 2,4-DP) + MCPP + Dicamba
MCPA + MCPP + Dicamba
Amine formulations
Good Control:
Common Dandelion, False Dandelion,
Mousear Chickweed
Plantain,
Fair Control:
Black Medic & Clover,
Poor Control:
Oxalis, English Daisy, Yarrow, Veronica

62. Overview
1.
Making sense of all the Choices
a.
b.
c.
2.
Review the “standard” 3 – way mixes
Look at “new kids” on the block
Review “alternative” herbicide mixes
Review the common weeds and match the herbicides to the weeds.
3. Maximizing weed kill – other factors.
4.
Go through a few scenarios.

63. General control guidelines
1. Treat healthy weeds
2. Increase turf vigor
3. Do irrigate before treating
4. Don’t irrigate after
5. Don’t mow before
6. Repeat treatments 2-4 weeks typical

64. General control guidelines
7. Seasonal timing
Fall is best
Spring is okay
Summer is worst
8. Rates
Follow label instructions

65. General control guidelines
9. Avoid injury to sensitive grasses
Use lower rates
Use safer products
Sensitive grasses:
Bentgrass
Poa trivialis
Young fine fescue

66. General control guidelines
10. Amine vs. Ester?
Amines are better in warmer weather.
Esters are better in cooler weather.
Esters are “safer” to humans.

67. Amines vs. Esters – Signal Word
Horsepower
“Danger” Signal word
Cool Power
“Caution” Signal Word
• Dimethyl Salt of MCPA
• Iso-octyl Ester of MCPA
• Trimethyl Salt of
Triclopyr
• Butoxy Ester of Triclopyr
• Dicamba
• Dicamba
Causes irreversible eye
damage!
Causes moderate eye
irritation.

68. Scenario #1 – Unirrigated site loaded with
False Dandelion

69. Scenario #1 - Steps
1. Irrigate
2. Fertilize
3. Get grass and weeds healthy and
growing
4. Make 2 applications of “Standard” 3-Way
mix in Late Summer/Early Fall.
5. If you have resistant weeds, use a
product with Drive (e.g. Q4 Plus)

70. Scenario #2 – Neglected lawn that is irrigated.
Weeds: clover, common dandelion, plantain.
Low N fertility favors clover

71. Scenario #2 - Steps
1. Irrigate, if needed, and fertilize.
2. Get grass and weeds healthy and
growing.
3. Make 2 applications of SpeedZone, Q4
Plus, or Escalade 2. (i.e. you need to add
Carfentrazone, Quinclorac, Triclopyr, or
Fluroxypyr to get good clover control)
4. Apply in cool weather if you use esters.

72. Scenario #3 – Wet site with English Daisy

73. Scenario #3 - Steps
1. Wait until fall.
2. Fertilize, if necessary.
3. Make two applications in fall of:
–
–
–
–
Drive + MSO (or add drive to 3 – way)
Q4 Plus
If problems, try Sapphire (Penoxulam)
Last resort – SpeedZone (5 pts/A) + Banvel
(0.66 pts/A+ Drive 75 DF(1 lb/A)
Note: SpeedZone only has 0.03 oz ai/1,000 sq. ft. of dicamba and the Banvel adds 0.12 oz ai/1,000.

74. Sum Up
1. I.D. your weeds and grasses
2. Pick your herbicide and read the label.
i. Amine vs. Ester?
ii. Will chemicals kill weeds?
iii. Are your grasses sensitive to this herbicide?
3. Get grass and weeds growing, if
necessary
4. Make 2 applications at the correct time of
year (e.g. watch for leaf out with esters).