Physical and Cultural Weed Control Working Group of - European ...

9 th EWRS Workshop on Physical and Cultural Weed Control 91
Samsun, Turkey, 28 – 30 March 2011
Sustainable turf and weed management within a conversion
of a cool-season turf to Bermudagrass hybrid
(Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers x transvaalensis Burtt-Davy)
A. Peruzzi, M. Fontanelli, C. Frasconi, N. Grossi, M. Raffaelli, F. Sorelli, M. Volterrani
Dipartimento di Agronomia e Gestione dell’Agroecosistema, Università di Pisa,
Via San Michele degli Scalzi, 2, 56124, Pisa, Italy
aperuzzi@agr.unipi.it
Warm-season species are more and more replacing the “common” cool-season turfs for sports
and recreational uses, in Italy, thanks to the excellent adaptability to the Mediterranean
environment. Turf establishment can be performed in many different ways, like seeding,
stolonizing/sprigging or sodding. An innovative technique of planting has been recently patented in
Italy (“Erbavoglio system”). It is based on the quickly ground cover capacity of these species by
means of stolons and rhizomes. “Erbavoglio system” allows to easily convert from a cool-season
turf to a warm season turf. Planting can be performed both in tilled and untilled soil. This second
option allows the site to be used immediately after the planting as the better soil carrying capacity is
provided by untilled soil.
Two experimental trials were carried out in 2009 and 2010 spring-summer period in order to
test different innovative physical weed control techniques used before and/or after warm season
grass planting. The aim of the first trial was to evaluate different pre-planting treatments as they
affect the establishment of bermudagrass hybrid (Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers x transvaalensis Burtt-
Davy.) in untilled soil covered by cool season turf. The treatments were: activated steaming at
different doses, flaming at different LPG (Liquified Petroleum Gas) doses and two different
conventional herbicide treatments (Glyphosate and Glufosinate). The second trial, that is still ongoing,
was to evaluate different pre and post planting treatments on the establishment of
bermudagrass in tilled soil. The treatments were: pre planting activated soil steaming plus post
planting flaming, post planting selective herbicide (Oxadiazon) .
In the first trial weed canopy was asses by digital analysis images technique, with an automated
procedure, originally programmed in MATLAB3, and later developed into a web-based software
(www.imaging-crops.dk), moreover a visual assessment of ground cover was made until complete
bermudagrass establishment was reached.
In the second trial a visual assessment of weed ground cover was made and weed number per
unit area was counted after bermudagrass planting. On bermudagrass, visual assessment of ground
cover was made until complete establishment was reached.
The innovative physical methods seem a promising alternative to chemical ordinary treatment
both for conversion of turf (untilled soil) and for weed control in tilled soil.
This research was funded by the Ministry of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policies of Italy.
Project: “Sistemi avanzati per la produzione vivaistica di tappeti erbosi di specie macroterme ad uso
multifunzionale a basso consumo idrico ed energetico”.