Relative Lateral Movement in Surface Soil of Amicarbazone and Indaziflam Compared with Other Preemergence Herbicides for Turfgrass

Amicarbazone and indaziflam are relatively new herbicides that provide effective control of important weed species in turfgrass. A concern for golf course superintendents and turfgrass managers is the lack of information about runoff risk of these two herbicides, which is a limitation to their proper and safe use. The objectives of this research were (1) to compare lateral movement in surface soil of amicarbazone and indaziflam to other commonly used PRE herbicides in turfgrass (i.e., dithiopyr, prodiamine, pronamide, simazine) and (2) to determine whether incorporating the herbicide with irrigation before a simulated storm event reduces lateral movement. Herbicides were applied at full label rates in two locations (Jay and Milton, FL) with 14% slope, and lateral movement was evaluated using perennial ryegrass and annual bluegrass as bioindicators. Incorporating PRE herbicides with irrigation a few hours before a major simulated storm event did not reduce lateral movement of any of the herbicides evaluated. All herbicides moved outside the treated area regardless of the presence of a simulated storm event. Herbicide lateral movement varied from 61 to 153 cm in Jay, and from 5 to 103 cm in Milton. The Milton location had higher sand content and lower organic matter content than Jay, which favored water infiltration. No herbicide effects were observed 210 cm downslope from the treated area. On the basis of our results, the ranking from highest to lowest lateral movement was pronamide > simazine ≥ indaziflam > amicarbazone ≥ dithiopyr > prodiamine. The difference in lateral movement was approximately 60 to 80 cm between pronamide and prodiamine depending on location and evaluation timing for the 14% slope at the study sites. The results of the present study provide guidance for golf course superintendents and turfgrass managers to determine buffer zones in sensitive areas.