Take control of grassy weeds

By Matt Giese, M.S., technical services manager, Syngenta

Controlling grassy weeds is a difficult task, especially if pre-emergent herbicides either were not applied or failed to provide acceptable control for any reason. Very few options are available for post-emergent control of grassy weeds in bermudagrass and zoyisagrass turf, especially in lawns where monosodium methanearsonate use is prohibited. Without viable options for control, many turf areas have been taken over by tropical signalgrass, crabgrasses, dallisgrass and other weeds.

Plan for dallisgrass control in warm- and cool-season turf with Cooling Degree Day alerts.

ManuscriptĀ® herbicide is an effective option for control of tropical signalgrass, crabgrass, dallisgrass and certain other weeds in bermudagrass and zoysiagrass turf.

  • The active ingredient, pinoxaden, works through the ACCase mode of action, but has a unique control spectrum thanks to its unique phenylpyrazoline chemistry.
  • Its formulation also includes a safener, to further enhance turf safety even at spot-treatment rates.
  • Manuscript comes packaged with Adigorā„¢ surfactant, which was specifically designed to maximize its absorption and translocation in target weeds.
Find out more about cool-season uses of Manuscript here.

Two spot-treatment applications of Manuscript at 9.6 fl. oz./10,000 ft.2 on a 14- to 21-day interval are recommended to control tropical signalgrass, dallisgrass and crabgrasses. Because Manuscript has a built in safener, it contributes to strong turf safety, even during the heat of summer. When the desirable turf is growing most aggressively, turf managers can use fertility and cultural practices to encourage re-growth into the voids where weeds were established.

For best results:

  • Manuscript should be applied in 40 gal. of water/A with a 0.5% concentration of Adigor.
  • Target weeds should be actively growing, i.e., not under stress from drought or other factors, to maximize absorption and translocation of the active ingredient.
Stay ahead of grassy weeds with agronomic alerts. Sign up to receive notifications for pests and weeds, including crabgrass, along with timely turf management recommendations.




Crabgrass control in bermudagrass

Untreated                                                                   ManuscriptĀ® herbicide 0.96 + Adigor
Source: University of Missouri, Xiong. 2019. Rates: Manuscript – 0.96 fl. oz./gal. water and Adigor – 0.65 fl. oz./gal. water (0.5% v/v). Two applications of Adigor were applied 21 days apart. 


Care should be taken when tank mixing Manuscript with other herbicides to ensure best performance. Phenoxy herbicides such as 2,4-D and MCPP are antagonistic to Manuscript and reduce its performance. Tank mixing Manuscript with a sulfonylurea herbicide is a better option.


Learn more with the Manuscript Lawn Care Operator Guide or join the discussion on X using #Time4Manuscript


All photos are either the property of Syngenta or are used with permission. 

Ā© 2026 Syngenta. Important: Always read and follow label instructions. Some products may not be registered for sale or use in all states or counties and/or may have state-specific use requirements. Please check with your local extension service to ensure registration and proper use. Adigorā„¢, GreenCastĀ®, ManuscriptĀ® and the Syngenta logo are trademarks of a Syngenta Group Company.

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