Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, July 26, 1990                   TAG: 9007250296
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV4   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY  
SOURCE: Philip K. Blevins
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

HERBICIDES WILL HELP YOU IN MEETING CHALLENGE OF WEEDS

Understanding the situation can greatly improve your chances of success. Let's look at some factors involved in lawn weed control:

First, all weeds are not created equal and thus must be treated accordingly.

Annual weeds live only one year and should be treated in the seedling stage.

Winter annuals, including common chickweed, henbit or shepherd's purse, germinate in the fall and should be treated at that time.

Spring germinating annuals, which include hop clover and lambsquarters, should be treated in the spring.

Biennial weeds like wild carrot live two years, and perennials like wild onion, buckhorn plantain and dandelions live three or more years.

In general, they should be treated when actively growing (usually spring or fall) and preferably in the seedling stage. When spring or fall treatments are equally effective, use the fall treatment to reduce chances of damage to ornamentals.

Second, not all herbicide mixtures are the same. Therefore, because of the mixture of weeds normally present in lawns, a combination of chemicals is needed.

Several premixed formulations are available for purchase. Formulations containing either 2, 4-D and dicamba or 2, 4-D and mecoprop are effective against a wide range of broadleaf weeds.

Dicamba is soil-mobile, so do not use in the root area of shallow rooted trees and shrubs. There are three-way mixtures on the market that contain low rates of dicamba that reduce the risk of dicamba injury.

Third, all grasses cannot be treated the same. The chemicals mentioned can be used safely on fescue, bluegrass or common bermuda grass. However, the bentgrasses are susceptible to 2, 4-D injury so a formulation containing a low rate of 2, 4-D can be purchased and used safely.

Good luck with your weed control.

\ Leafhopper alert

\ Even though we are approaching the end of the potato leafhopper season, alfalfa growers need to pay special attention to their alfalfa fields.

There have been cases of heavy damage to alfalfa stands even to the point of severe stunting. Losses in these cases translate into a lot of dollars.

The presence of leafhoppers is indicated by presence of a wedge-shaped yellow area on the leaf tip. As the damage increases, the entire crop may look stunted and yellow.

The leafhopper itself is a tiny, green, wedge-shaped insect. Its damage is easy to identify, so take time to check your fields weekly.

If the damage is present and plant height is 14 inches or less, a spray of Cygon or Loraban among others will provide control.

If the stand has been stunted severely, mow immediately so regrowth can begin.

The spraying of stands that are over 14 inches tall has only marginal to no benefit.