Herbicide Recommendations for Turfgrass: Postemergence Broadleaf Herbicides

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. 2,4-D
3. 2,4-D/dicamba/mecoprop-P
4. 2,4-D + Mecoprop
5. Basagran + Assist
6. Compitox or Mecoprop
7. IPCO Premium 2-way XP Turf Herbicide
8. MCPA Amine
9. Mecoturf + 2,4-D
10. Sarritor
11. Vanquish
    
12. Turfgrass Herbicide Rating Table (Table 17-1) (PDF 15k)
13. Other Turfgrass Weed Control Recommendations
    • Site Preparation Before Turfgrass Establishment
    • Preemergence Grass Herbicides
    • Inhibitors of Smooth Crabgrass and Dandelion Seed Germination
    • Postemergence Grass Herbicides
    • Turfgrass Renovation
    • Turfgrass Retardation
14. Related Links

Introduction

Postemergence - Leaf stage of the weeds is critical for good weed control. Smaller weeds are generally easier to kill but there needs to be enough leaf surface to intercept the herbicide. Apply according to recommended leaf stages. Crop stage is important to optimize crop safety. Always use appropriate drift management technology.

Apply in 200-400 L/ha (80-160 L/ac) water. Avoid contact with ornamentals and flowers. Avoid applying during hot, dry weather. DO NOT irrigate, rake, and/or mow until at least 24 hours after application. DO NOT apply to newly seeded lawns until after second mowing.

| Top of Page |

Precautions

• To control many broadleaf weeds including dandelions, lamb's-quarters, mustards, peppergrass, pigweeds, plantains, shepherd's purse, smartweeds, and vetch.
• Damage may occur when applied to bentgrass.
• If used on bentgrass apply at 0.28 kg/ha. Some yellowing of bentgrass may occur.

| Top of Page |

Precautions

• To control 2,4-D and MCPA tolerant weeds such as chickweeds, clover, ground ivy and black medick as well as many broadleaf weeds including dandelions, lamb's-quarters, mustards, peppergrass, pigweeds, plantains, shepherd's purse, smartweeds, and vetch.
• In closely mowed bentgrass (greens) apply at half doses (30 mL/100 m²).
• Temporary yellowing of bentgrass may occur.
• Recovery from injury will occur one week after application
• See Precautions for Vanquish

  | Top of Page |

---

2,4-D + Mecoprop

Trade Name	2,4-D	or 2,4-D	or 2,4-D	+ Mecoprop
Active Ingredient	2,4-D	or 2,4-D	or 2,4-D	+ mecoprop-P
Formulation	470 g/L	564 g/L	660 g/L	150 g/L
Rate per hectare (active)	0.85 to 1.1 kg/ha	0.85 to 1.1 kg/ha	0.85 to 1.1 kg/ha	0.85 to 1.1 kg/ha
Rate per hectare (product)	1.81 to 2.34 L/ha	1.51 to 1.95 L/ha	1.29 to 1.67 L/ha	5.67 to 7.34 L/ha
Rate per acre (product)	0.72 to 0.93 L/ac	0.6 to 0.78 L/ac	0.52 to 0.67 L/ac	2.27 to 2.93 L/ac

Precautions

• May be combined with Vanquish (0.21 L/ha (0.08 L/ac)) for control of young knotweed.
• Damage may occur when applied to bentgrass.
• For newly established turf at least 4 weeks old, use 2,4-D at 1/2 the usual concentration (0.4-0.6 kg in 800 L water/ha) or mecoprop (0.4-0.6 kg in 400 L water/ha) for annual weeds.

| Top of Page |

---

Basagran + Assist

Trade Name	Basagran	+ Assist
Active Ingredient	bentazon	+ oil concentrate
Formulation	480 g/L
Rate per hectare (active)	0.84 kg/ha
Rate per hectare (product)	1.75 L/ha	2 L/ha
Rate per acre (product)	0.7 L/ac	0.8 L/ac

Precautions

• To control top growth of yellow nut sedge. Apply when nut sedge is young and actively growing. Make 2 applications 10 days apart.
• Do NOT mow grass 3-5 days before and after application.
• Do NOT treat newly seeded turf until well established.

| Top of Page |

---

Compitox or Mecoprop

Trade Name	Compitox	or Mecoprop
Active Ingredient	mecoprop-P	or mecoprop-P
Formulation	150 g/L	150 g/L
Rate per hectare (active)	0.83 to 1.28 kg/ha	0.83 to 1.28 kg/ha
Rate per hectare (product)	5.5 to 8.5 L/ha	5.5 to 8.5 L/ha
Rate per acre (product)	2.2 to 3.4 L/ac	2.2 to 3.4 L/ac

Precautions

• To control 2,4-D and MCPA tolerant weeds such as chickweeds, clover, ground ivy and black medick, as well as many broadleaf weeds.
• May be applied to bentgrass.
• Apply before flower to dandelion.
• Repeated applications may be needed for dandelion and black medick.

| Top of Page |

---

IPCO Premium 2-Way XP Turf Herbicide

Trade Name	IPCO Premium 2-Way XP Turf Herbicide
Active Ingredient	mecoprop-P/2,4-D
Formulation	400 g/L
Rate per hectare (active)	2 kg/ha
Rate per hectare (product)	5 L/ha
Rate per acre (product)	2 Lha

Precautions

• May be combined with Vanquish (0.21 L/ha (0.08 L/ac)) for control of young knotweed.
• Damage may occur when applied to bentgrass.
• For newly established turf at least 4 weeks old, use 2,4-D at 1/2 the usual concentration (0.4-0.6 kg in 800 L water/ha) or mecoprop (0.4-0.6 kg in 400 L water/ha) for annual weeds.

| Top of Page |

---

MCPA Amine

Trade Name	MCPA Amine
Active Ingredient	MCPA
Formulation	500 g/L
Rate per hectare (active)	1.1 to 1.4 kg/ha
Rate per hectare (product)	2.2 to 2.8 L/ha
Rate per acre (product)	0.88 to 1.12 L/ac

Precautions

• For control of field horsetail, dandelion, lamb's-quarters, mustards, plantains, shepherd's purse, and wild carrot.
• Do NOT apply to bentgrass unless necessary, and then only at 0.28 kg/ha. Some yellowing of bentgrass may occur.
• Use as a substitute for 2,4-D. At slightly higher doses than 2,4-D it will usually provide as good weed control as 2,4-D.
• Reduced control of dandelion and plantain may occur during dry, hot weather.

| Top of Page |

---

Mecoturf + 2,4-D

Trade Name	Mecoturf + 2,4-D
Active Ingredient	mecoprop-P/2,4-D
Formulation	400 g/L
Rate per hectare (active)	1.7 to 2.2 kg/ha
Rate per hectare (product)	4.25 to 5.5 L/ha
Rate per acre (product)	1.7 to 2.2 L/ac

Precautions

• May be combined with Vanquish (0.21 L/ha (0.08 L/ac)) for control of young knotweed.
• Damage may occur when applied to bentgrass.
• For newly established turf at least 4 weeks old, use 2,4-D at 1/2 the usual concentration (0.4-0.6 kg in 800 L water/ha) or mecoprop (0.4-0.6 kg in 400 L water/ha) for annual weeds.

| Top of Page |

---

Sarritor

Trade Name	Sarritor
Active Ingredient	Sclerotinia minor (strain IMI 344141)
Formulation	Gr
Rate per hectare (product)	40 to 60 g/m

Precautions

• For suppression of dandelion.
• Apply when daytime high temperatures are 18-24ºC and rainfall occurs within 12 hours of application.
• Use higher rate when environmental conditions are sub-optimal or when dandelion pressure is high.
• Do NOT mow for 3 days after application.
• Do NOT allow Sarritor to come in contact with non-target, desirable plant species as severe damage may occur.
  

| Top of Page |

---

Vanquish

Trade Name	Vanquish
Active Ingredient	dicamba
Formulation	480 g/L
Rate per hectare (active)	06 kg/ha
Rate per hectare (product)	1.25 L/ha
Rate per acre (product)	0.5 L/ac

Precautions

• Do NOT apply to bentgrass.
• Do NOT apply near shallow rooted perennials to avoid root uptake and injury.
• To control broadleaf weeds including 2,4-D tolerant weeds such as chickweeds, clover and young knotweed, but will not adequately control plantain.
• Vanquish alone is recommended for use in certain situations only; it is best when mixed at low use rates with phenoxy herbicides.
• Prepared mixtures of Vanquish and 2,4-D are effective on a wide range of lawn weed species, including knotweed, which is not controlled by most other herbicides except when very young.
• Do NOT use mixtures containing Vanquish close to shrubs, or other susceptible ornamentals, at rates above 0.425 kg/ha (active).
• Do NOT mow grass 3-5 days before and after application.
• Do NOT treat newly seeded turf until well established.

| Top of Page |

---

Related Links

• Weeds in Ontario
• Turfgrass in Ontario
• Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
• Pesticide Application and Safety
• Pesticide Companies and Agents
• OMAFRA Sprayer Calibration Calculator
• Search the PMRA website
• OMAFRA Publication 505: Ontario Weeds
• OMAFRA Publication 75: Guide To Weed Control

| Top of Page |