WHAT TO DO ABOUT GRASS-BURS

WHAT TO DO ABOUT GRASS-BURS Well it is close to the Eddy County fair and about this time every year I get calls on field sand bur or grass burs. Some people forgot to put a pre-emergent herbicide down in January and April has the biggest problem. Some people who did the pre-emergent down late in March or April may still have a problem with the sand bur but not as bad as it could be. Then there are those who just missed a small area or so. Field sandbur (grass-bur) is a summer annual grassy weed that can be found in home lawns, sports fields, alfalfa fields, parks and along roadsides. This weed is especially adapted to dry, sandy soils but can be found growing in other types of soils as well. The big problem with this weed is the sharp, spiny burs that are part of the inflorescence or flower. These burs can be painful and are difficult to remove from clothing material and pets. Field sandburs (grass-burs) generally start germinating from February to May in Eddy County and will continue to germinate until late summer or early fall months. This weed will continue to grow until the first hard frost or freeze occurs in the fall. Most preemergent herbicides are only good for 60 to 90 days. For post-emergent field sandbur (grass bur) control, we used to use MSMA or DSMA. The use of these products is prohibited after December 31 2013 so these products are no longer on the market. But there are some alternatives: Dimension – dithiopyr (pyridine, Group 3) Drive XLR8 – quinclorac (quinolinecarboxylic acid, Group 4 (26 for monocots)) Dismiss – sulfentrazone (aryl triazolinone, Group 14) Tenacity – mesotrione (triketone, Group 27) Sedgehammer – halosulfuron (sulfonylurea, Group 2) Monument – trifloxysulfuron-sodium (sulfonylurea, Group 2) Revolver – foramsulfuron (sulfonylurea, Group 2) Certainty – sulfosulfuron (sulfonylurea, Group 2) Celsius - iodosulfuronmethyl-sodium and thiencarbazone-methyl (triazinylsulfonylurea, triazolone, Group 2) These products will do a good job of controlling the field sandbur (grass-bur) when it is young. Remember, not all herbicides can be used on St. Augustine or Centipede lawns. Consult the label before using on these turf types, you will have to rely on the use of a pre-emergent herbicide. Because it is an annual you do not have to pull them up and get the roots, you can just clip off the tops. Do not lay them on the ground put them in the trash or you will just reseed them. We will be at the Eddy County fair all next week so if you have questions come on by and ask. Eddy County Extension Service, New Mexico State University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and educator. All programs are available to everyone regardless of race, color, religion, sex, age, handicap, or national origin. New Mexico State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Eddy County Government Cooperating.