Smutgrass

Seedhead

Smutgrass is a non-native, perennial grass that can be a real issue in our pastures and one where management can be difficult. These pics I took a month ago. The seed head is a long spikelike. Leaves are usually folded but can be flat. They are also smooth. Many times the seadhead or spikelet is infected with black smut.

Ccows will graze the smutgrass for some time then they will stop. When the pastures become infested, large areas of the pasture are not grazed.

Control

In terms of chemical control, hexazinone (Velpar, Velossa), is our main option for smutgrass. One issue is injury to Bermuda. Hexazinone will injure bermuda pretty good and can eliminate the first hay cutting. Bahia and Bermuda will recover from temporary burn and yellowing within two to four weeks of application. We need to target smutgrass around between April and July, when humidity is high and air temperatures are over 80 degrees. Hexazinone is root absorbed and requires about one-half inch of rainfall within two weeks of application. Fall applications are not very effective.

Another point to remember is we need to use low rates on coarse, sandy soils and high rates on clay soils. Hexazinone can injure trees (especially oaks). Caution should be used near desirable deciduous trees.

For additional information, visit Smutgrass Control in Perennial Grass Pastures.

Smutgrass

…….We can also use something like glyphosate on a wic bar……