By: Gerald (Jerry) Husemann
Independent Professional Turfgrass & Landscape Ornamental Consultant
(Specializing in Golf Course Native Grass Establishment & Maintenance)
AcuSpray Turf Consultant
937-407-1433
Gerald.husemann@acuspray.com
In the entire Midwest geography which includes Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin…Reed canary grass, bluestems, phragmites, are all troublesome weeds that are actively growing in native fine fescue environments. This document is a proven weed management strategy in greatly reducing these infestations with selective post-emergent herbicides which is much more effective than going in the direction of applying non-selective herbicides and planting new seed into these areas. Included in this management strategy is the implementation of the AcuSpray aerial application technology with applications to these native fescue areas and areas like roughs for weed management applications. The herbicide application that is directly in front of us is the application applied prior to mowing these long grass areas. This can eliminate tracking for when this application is applied with ground driven boom sprayers.
Please reach out to Jerry Husemann, AcuSpray Turf Consultant, at 937-407-1433 or gerald.husemann@acuspray.com
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When premixing in a mixing vessel or inductor, fill with at least 20% of the desired finished carrier volume. While the carrier is agitating, add tank mix ingredients in the following order:
1. Compatibility agent and/or antifoam, if needed
2. AMS, dry formulations (WP, DF, WDG, SP), and dry drift retardants
3. Dry soluble and suspension fertilizers / micronutrients
4. Liquid drift retardants and flowable formulations (F & FL)
5. Liquid concentrates, suspension concentrates, microencapsulated and capsule suspension (LC, SC, ME, CS)
6. Emulsifiable concentrates (E, EL or EC)
7. Solutions and soluble liquids (S or SL)
8. Liquid micronutrients and fertilizers
9. Water conditioners and other adjuvants (COC, HSOC, MSO, NIS)
10. Finish filling to desired spray volume level and continue agitation
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Pesticide Mixing Order
Tank Mixing Procedure
The order and way in which you add products to a tank can reduce many incompatibility issues. To successfully mix, remember the A.P.P.L.E.S. acronym (Ammonium sulfate; Powder solubles; Powder dry; Liquid flowables; Emulsifiable concentrates; Solutions), and always agitate your mix.
- Fill the tank half full of carrier (water, fertilizer mix, oil mix, etc.) and start agitating; maintain agitation throughout mixing and application. Add all the following ingredients in the order they are listed.
- A. Ammonium sulfate and any other tank conditioning agents like acidifiers, anti-foam, etc. Allow the mix to agitate for several minutes.
- P. Powder solubles such as dry fertilizers, soluble granules (SG), and soluble powder (P).
- P. Powder dry such as dry flowables (DF), water dispersible granules (WDG), wettable powders (WP), and water-soluble packs (WSP).
- L. Liquid flowables such as aqueous suspension concentrate (ASC), flowables (F), micro-encapsulated products (ME), soluble concentrates (SC), and suspoemulsion (SE).
- E. Emulsifiable products such as emulsifiable concentrate (EC), oil-in-water emulsions (or concentrated emulsions) (EW), and oil dispersion (OD).
- S. Solutions such as solutions (S) and soluble liquids (SL).
- Add all remaining surfactants such as crop oils, drift agents, etc.
- Add the remaining carrier to tank while continuing agitation.
The key is to be deliberate and take your time. Ensure each product you add has had time to fully mix before you add the next product. Remembering A.P.P.L.E.S. can help ensure your tank does not clump or otherwise gel.
There are commercial tank-mixing tools that will show you the appropriate order in which to add your products. The most used is “Mix Tank” by Precision Laboratories (http://www.mixtankapp.com/). This app will help with mixing order, known incompatibility issues, and jar testing, issue weather warnings, and provide other features. You simply plug every product you are using into the appropriate product category (products are alphabetized). The phone app has more features than the online app. Remember local water conditions may need to be considered and not every combination has been tested, so initial jar testing to account for local conditions is advised.
Another key way to avoid incompatibility is to ensure you properly clean out your spray equipment after use. Properly agitating will help to ensure the product stays mixed and will be sprayed out, but cleaning routinely will ensure no issues. Some product labels will clearly define when and how to clean out. For further guidance on cleaning out a tank, see Ask IFAS publication PI291, “Sprayer Cleanout Procedures: Protect Equipment and Crops.”
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| Reed Canary Grass |
Phragmites |
Reed canary grass in the native fescue area |
Reed Canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea)
Origin and Distribution:
Reed canary grass is a highly adaptive weed that is native to Europe and Asia. It was introduced to North America in the mid-1800's for forage and is now widely distributed throughout southern Canada and the northern half of the U.S. Reed canary grass is common in Ohio and is found in all but a few western counties. This species is adapted to wet environments, and prefers poorly drained and frequently flooded soils, such as those of roadsides, lowland areas, wetlands, shores and irrigation ditches. However, it can grow in well-drained areas and is relatively drought tolerant. Although it is tolerant of acidic soil, reed canary grass is susceptible to winterkill. Despite this fact, reed canary grass is still one of the highest yielding perennial forage grasses.
Plant Description:
Reed canary grass is a tall, coarse, sod-forming, cool-season perennial, characterized in summer by its two-tone appearance of golden seedheads atop green foliage. It reproduces through seeds and more typically by vigorous rhizomes (horizontal underground stems). This species tends to grow in clumps 3 feet or more in diameter, and can form large, dense colonies.
Root System:
Reed canary grass has short, stout, scaly, creeping rhizomes (horizontal underground stems). Roots develop from the joints (nodes) of the rhizomes to form a thick, fibrous root mass.
Stems:
Stems are erect, round, stout, leafy, smooth and bluish green, growing 2 to 5 feet tall (sometimes up to 8 feet).
Leaves:
Leaves are rolled in the bud. The LEAF BLADE (free part of the leaf) is flat, hairless and rough along the edges. Blades are 4 to 14 inches long and 1/4 to 3/4 inch wide, and the base of the blade appears broad in contrast to the sheath. The LEAF SHEATH (part of the leaf surrounding the stem) is smooth and rounded, and the sheath margins mostly overlap except for a "V" at the top. The ligule (projection on the inside of the leaf at the junction of the blade and sheath) is membranous, and 1/8 to 1/4 inch long. AURICLES (appendages at the top of the sheath) are absent.
Flowers:
Compact clusters of flowers are borne on short branches within a dense, narrow flower head (2 to 8 inches long, sometimes up to 12 inches) produced at the top of the stem. Flower branches are spreading at the onset of flowering, but close up next to the stem at maturity, giving the flower head a spike-like shape. The flower head gradually changes from green to purple to golden tan when seeds are formed.
Fruits and Seeds:
Seedheads normally extend well above the leaves of the plants and are golden tan at maturity. As the seedheads first mature, the remaining foliage is usually still green, resulting in a striking clump of green with golden tops. The shiny seeds (1/8 inch long) may vary from tan to gray-black and resemble a narrow teardrop.
Similar Species:
Reed canary grass may be confused with common reed (Phragmites australis), which grows in similar habitats. However, common reed grows much larger, 6 to 14 feet tall, and has a hairy rather than membranous ligule. A cultivated variety of reed canary grass, often referred to as ribbon grass (Phalaris arundinacea var. picta), is frequently used as an ornamental in gardens, and sometimes escapes cultivation. This form has green leaves that are striped with white or cream.
Biology:
Shoots begin to emerge in mid-April. Reed canary grass flowers between late May and August. The golden tan mature seedheads are a striking contrast to the green foliage below them. Seeds can germinate immediately upon maturation or the following season. This species can form persistent, single species stands, and over time, the seedbank may actually become devoid of other plant species. Reed canary grass is commonly spread by transporting rhizome-infested soil from riverbanks and other wet areas, often resulting in large, dense colonies.
Phragmites
Description
Common reed grass (Phragmites) is a tall, invasive perennial wetland grass ranging in height from 3-15 feet. The plant produces horizontal rhizomes that grow on or beneath the ground and produce roots and vertical stalks. The rhizomes allow the plant to form large colonies. The stiff, hollow stalks support leaf blades that are smooth, broad and flat (1-1/2 - 2 inches wide).
Phragmites & Cattails are in the same genotype, so the chemical control is the same. Many times, for total kill, the recommendation is to apply Habitat (Imazapyr) + Glyphosate. Habitat is most often recommended in aquatic environments. If Habitat (Imazapyr) is used in a dry land environment, the soil persistence will last 6 months to a full 12 months.
Clearcast® (Imazamox), is equally effective in controlling Phragmites & Cattails and the soil persistence is less than 30 days. Both Imazapyr & Imazamox are safe for aquatic organisms including fish.
Clearcast® is safe on the fescues but will kill bluegrass & annual ryegrass. Clearcast® has not been evaluated for safety on creeping bentgrass. Clearcast® will also control numerous broadleaf weeds. Please consult the Clearcast® label for a detailed list of weeds controlled.
®Clearcast-Manufactured for: SePRO Corporation
Clearcast® herbicide initial effects will happen on Common Reed (Phragmites) & Cattails within days after application. Complete control takes place within 4 weeks. The suggested application rate with Clearcast® is 6 pints per acre. Multiple applications may be needed throughout the season for additional or new growth. The addition of Pylex™ (Topramazone) at 2 oz/acre will greatly enhance efficacy.
®Drive, Pendulum, Segment II and Tower are registered trademarks of BASF.
™AquaCap and Pylex are trademarks of BASF.
Reed Canary Grass is a different genotype than Phragmites & Cattails. Pylex™ + Segment® II applied Spring/Summer/Fall are effective in reducing the infestation.
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In the fall, applying Segment® II + Pylex™ before mowing followed with mowing and followed with a repeat application of Pylex™ + Segment® II looks to be a good strategy. (2-week interval between mowing and chemical applications) The last application if in a fescue environment, the addition of Clearcast® with the Pylex™ + Segment® II is a good strategy in controlling Reed Canary Grass.
This 3-prong management strategy in the fall for all the Reed Grasses growing in a Native Fescue environment, looks to be a good program.
Fall Chemical Application ---> Mowing ---> 2nd Chemical application
It is very important to add a spray grade ammonium sulfate 21-0-0 to the sprayer water first before adding any post-emergent herbicide. The AMS protects the active ingredient from becoming tied up with several of the hardwater cations. (Calcium, Magnesium, Iron, Sodium, Aluminum). Very important with all post-emergent herbicides to wait until all morning leaf wetness has dissipated before applying the herbicides. Also important, pay close attention that the rainfast intervals have been met, referring to how much elapsed time after the application before irrigation or rainfall. Usually, the rainfast interval is 2-4 hours, sometimes less. On low humidity days, the leaf surface will become dry faster than in higher humidity environments.
Pylex™ is very effective on all the C4 Grasses. The Bluestems & Phragmites and Cattails are all considered to be C4 Grasses. Reed Canary Grass is a C3 cool-season grass.
Warm-season grasses are known as C4 Plants. This is because they use the four-carbon compound called PEP carboxylase in photosynthesis. In grasses PEP carboxylase is a photosynthetic enzyme that can “attract” CO2 more efficiently than C3 plants and allows the stomates of the plant to be closed more often. C4 plants tend to be more productive than C3 plants. A feature of C3 grasses is their greater tolerance of frost compared to C4 grasses.
The Fescues & Reed Canary Grass are classified as cool season turfgrass with a C3 plant metabolism. Fescue’s optimum growth range is when temperatures are between 550 F and 750 F.
The active ingredient of Pylex is called Topramezone. Topramezone is an aromatic ketone, in the same chemical family as Tenacity. Pylex is safe on Kentucky Bluegrass, Perennial Ryegrass, Annual Ryegrass, Fine Leaf Fescue, Turf Type Tall Fescue, and Poa Annua. Pylex controls labeled grassy weeds & broadleaf weeds. Pylex is strong on all C4 grassy weeds which include Phragmites/Cattails/Bluestems. Phragmites is a genotype of four species of large perennial reed grasses found in wetlands throughout temperate and tropical regions of the world.
Leading up to the fall timeframe of controlling Reed Canary Grass, Jerry Husemann and AcuSpray recommends doing the following in a native grass pure stand of fine leaf fescue:
1)Apply Pylex @ 1.5 oz/acre + Segment II @ 3 pt/acre + AMS 21-0-0 @ 17 lb./100 gal + Helena Specialty Dyne-Amic surfactant @ 3 pt/100 gallons. Always add the AMS to the spray solution first followed by the herbicides and the adjuvants last. Always wait until the morning leaf wetness has dissipated before spraying.
***Add the appropriate post-emergent broadleaf herbicides if needed. Do not mix any of the 2-4 Ds with Segment II. The 2-4, D will antagonize the grassy weed performance when tank mixed with any of the selective post-emergent grass herbicides. (Segment II, Envoy, Fusilade II).
2)Mow preferably with a Wiedemann 600 vacuum collection system or similar vacuum collection of the clippings timed 14-21 days after the Pylex + Segment II application. Mowing HOC 2.5 to 3 inches. If you do not collect the clippings when mowing the Reed Grasses, Phragmites, and the Blue Stems, some of the stems will attach to the soil and germinate into additional weed populations. It is kind of like sprigging if you do not collect the clippings when mowing. The analogy Jerry Husemann uses is ... you have a bucket that you want to fill full of water but there is a large hole in the bottom of the bucket. You keep trying to have a full bucket of water but with the hole in the bottom of the bucket, it is not possible to have a full bucket of water.
3)14 days after mowing and vacuum collecting the clippings, apply Pylex @ 1.5 oz/acre + Segment II at 3 pt/acre + Clearcast at 32 oz/acre + AMS + Dyne-Amic Surfactant.
This 3-step technique of herbicide application fb mowing fb herbicide application in the fall is the absolute best way of finishing strong in controlling Reed Canary Grass in a native fine leaf fescue environment. It is very important to keep applying stress on the reed canary grass spring/summer/fall when the reed canary grass is trying to rebound from the stress event of mowing and/or herbicide applications.
Reed Canary Grass is green now (April/May 2025) because it belongs to a different genotype compared to phragmites and the bluestems.
Reed Canary Grass is a C3 grass, whereas phragmites, Bluestem, Cattails, Bermudagrass, zoysiagrass, and crabgrass are all C4 grasses. Cool season grasses such as Reed Canary Grass, fescue, ryegrass, bluegrass, and bent grass are C3 grasses that utilize the C3 photosynthetic pathway.
Pylex (topramezone) provides soil residual and post-emergent control for labeled grassy and broadleaf weeds, effective on C4 and several C3 grassy weeds. Segment II is a selective post-emergent grass herbicide that does not affect broadleaf weeds. If phragmites are present at the golf course, Reed Canary Grass may also be an issue. It can spread quickly if not addressed.
Reed Canarygrass facts:
There is one main species of Reed canarygrass, called (scientific name) Phalaris arundinacea. Within this species, there are numerous cultivars and genotypes, which can be differentiated by traits like alkaloid content and panicle color. Genotypes: Field populations show a high degree of genetic variability, and it’s estimated that over 115 artificially selected genotypes exist, according to the USDA. RCG (Reed canary grass) reproduces by seed, by stem fragments, and by underground horizontal stems (rhizomes). This is why it is essential to vacuum collect the clippings after mowing.
Pylex is very important to include in a spring/summer/fall herbicide application to control phragmites & reed canary grass in a pure stand of fine leaf fescue. Pylex is very good at managing all C4 grasses which includes phragmites & reed canary grass. You will not find phragmites or reed canary grass listed on the Pylex label, but it works well.
Jerry Husemann is recommending adding Clearcast (Imazamox) to the Pylex application in the fall along with Segment II. Clearcast is safe on all the fescues, Clearcast will control annual ryegrass, is injurious to bluegrass & bentgrass. We have done some trials at several of the courses in Michigan with Clearcast at the 64 oz/acre rate which is safe on the fescues applying only (1) application in the fall tank-mixed with Pylex + Segment II.
C3 and C4 are two main pathways that plants use to capture carbon dioxide during photosynthesis.
What are C3 and C4 Native Grass?
The perennial grasses can be classified as either C3 or C4 plants. These terms refer to the different pathways that plants use to capture carbon dioxide during photosynthesis. All species have a more primitive C3 pathway, but the additional C4 pathway evolved in species in the wet and dry tropics. The first product of carbon fixation in C3 plants involves a 3-carbon molecule, while C4 plants initially produce a 4-carbon molecule that then enters the C3 cycle. Why are these differences important?
These differences are important because the two pathways are also associated with different growth requirements. C3 plants are adapted to cool season establishment and growth in either wet or dry environments. On the other hand, C4 plants are more adapted to warm or hot seasonal conditions in moist or dry environments. A feature of C3 grasses is their greater tolerance of frost compared to C4 grasses.
Do not tank-mix Segment II herbicide with any 2-4, D herbicide, as it reduces grassy weed efficacy. Instead, mix Triclopyr with Dicamba. We apply Pendulum AquaCap + Gallery at 16 oz/acre alongside Pylex + Segment II + Triclopyr + Dicamba + AMS + Dyne-Amic surfactant.
There are many different subspecies and cultivars of Reed Canary Grass. They have been cultivated to adapt to a variety of conditions. The size, shape and height of the plants may differ because there are many different species/cultivars. The distinctive trademark of all strains of Reed Canary Grass is a transparent ligule.
Reed Canary Grass is a different subclass and genotype as compared to Phragmites & Cattails. Some aquatic herbicides are labeled to control Phragmites & Cattails but do not control Reed Canary Grass.