By Lane Tredway, Ph.D., technical services manager, Syngenta

Controlling grassy weeds is a difficult task, especially if pre-emergent herbicides were either 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.

Manuscript^® herbicide is a safe and 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 safety profile and control spectrum thanks to its unique phenylpyrazoline chemistry. The Manuscript formulation also includes a safener, to further enhance turf safety even at spot-treatment rates. Manuscript comes packaged with Adigor™ surfactant, which was specifically designed to maximize its absorption and translocation in target weeds.

Two spot-treatment applications of Manuscript at 9.6 fl. oz. per 10,000 ft.² on a 14- to 21-day interval are recommended to control tropical signalgrass, dallisgrass, and crabgrasses. Because Manuscript can be used safely on turf in 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 gallons of water per acre 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.

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, sign up for Cooling Degree Day alerts or join the discussion on Twitter using #Time4Manuscript. 

© 2022 Syngenta. Important: Always read and follow label instructions. Some products may not be registered for sale or use in all states or counties. Please check with your local extension service to ensure registration and proper use. Adigor™, Manuscript^® and the Syngenta logo are trademarks of a Syngenta Group Company.