BERMUDA CONTROL: I have read your article in the Florida Turf Digest over the past few issues and I have a question. Is there an effective method to remove bermudagrass from Floratam without physical removal or the use of glyphosate? - Collier County

ANSWER: Dr. Bert McCarty showed that a series of three spring (March+April+May) applications of ethofumesate (Prograss 1.5EC) + atrazine gives 95%+ control of common bermudagrass in established St. Augustinegrass. The atrazine, which is essential for bermuda control, is applied with the Prograss in a tank-mix, at decreasing rates. Labeled rates are 2 gallons per acre of Prograss formulation for each of the three applications, mixed with atrazine at 2, 1, and 1 pounds active ingredient per acre for the three applications. Dr. McCarty's turf quality data shows no problem of phytotoxicity to the St. Augustinegrass under the specific conditions of his research. The research was done on fine sand soil at the G. C. Horn Memorial Turfgrass Research Unit, Gainesville. Producers of Floratam St. Augustinegrass sod are satisfied with this treatment. While 95% control is not eradication, results sometimes exceed this level.