Source: UNIV OF HAWAII submitted to NRP
WEED MANAGEMENT IN SUSTAINABLE TROPICAL CROPPING SYSTEMS
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
COMPLETE
Funding Source
HATCH
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
0201929
Grant No.
(N/A)
Cumulative Award Amt.
(N/A)
Proposal No.
(N/A)
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Oct 1, 2010
Project End Date
Sep 30, 2015
Grant Year
(N/A)
Program Code
[(N/A)]- (N/A)
Recipient Organization
UNIV OF HAWAII
3190 MAILE WAY
HONOLULU,HI 96822
Performing Department
Tropical Plant & Soil Science
Non Technical Summary
Focus points will be the evaluation of reduced tillage cropping systems that incorporate the use of a living mulch, development of establishment protocols for native Hawaiian plants on road ways, maximizing the effectiveness of herbicides in warm season turf and herbicide screening in potted ornamentals. Living mulches in the between row space of certain vegetable crops helps to suppress weeds, reduce soil erosion and retain nutrients near the soil surface. Pili grass, a native Hawaiian species, has been evaluated in cabbage and zucchini. It's inhibitory effects were substantial and more research is needed to improve crop growth and suppression techniques. The Hawaii Department of Transportation seeks to use more native Hawaiian plants as ground covers but lacks planting material and protocols for weed control during establishment. Research will identify safe and effective herbicides that can be incorporated into construction specifications for ground cover installation and seed production sites. Weeds in athletic fields, golf courses and landscapes are a constant source of concern and costs for turf managers in Hawaii. Chemical tools developed on the U.S. mainland seldom have direct transferability of performance in Hawaii. Research conducted locally will improve performance and reliability. Growers producing ornamental plants for local consumption and export must rely on herbicides to produce clean inventory in a cost effective manner. The constant change in plant species used in the ornamental trade requires regular screening of herbicides to insure their safety at effectiveness. Stakeholder outreach through field days, workshops and web based content are included.
Animal Health Component
(N/A)
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
(N/A)
Developmental
(N/A)
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
1332300114010%
2162300114010%
2132300114080%
Knowledge Area
133 - Pollution Prevention and Mitigation; 216 - Integrated Pest Management Systems; 213 - Weeds Affecting Plants;

Subject Of Investigation
2300 - Weeds;

Field Of Science
1140 - Weed science;
Goals / Objectives
The 1st objective is to identify the proper management protocol for Pili grass to be used as a living mulch to suppress weeds and minimize competition with the crop. Pili grass has been chosen as a viable candidate for the living mulch systems in Hawaii since it is a native species and avoids the issue of introducing potentially invasive non-native species to the Hawaiian ecosystem and is adaptable to cultivation. A 2nd objective is to conduct research that can be used to update DOT construction specifications for the installation of native Hawaiian plants on road way rights of way. A 3rd goal is to identify herbicide rates, tank mixes and application timing for improving the control of goosegrass and other weedy species in warm season sport turf. A 4th goal is to provide growers of potted ornamental plants with new chemical tools for controlling weeds.
Project Methods
For Objective #1: Once the Pili grass stand is established and crop planted, experimental treatments are designed to identify the best way to manage the Pili grass (mowing frequency and herbicide rates and application frequency) while maximizing crop growth and production. Factors that need to be further investigated include Pili grass density, width of the crop row, chemical mowing and stunting of the living mulch and what if any naturally occurring toxins are being released from the living roots or decomposing Pili grass mulch. For objective #2: Research with the dune grass Aki aki (Sporobulus virginicus requires that field plantings be made with cut stems that are soaked in a rooting hormone solution for 24 hours, laid out into experimental plots and the capped with a hydromulch mix of recycled paper and finely divided natural straw (both commercially prepared materials). Research questions deal with screening herbicides that can be incorporated into the hydromulch cap at levels that provide effective weed control and minimal injury to the grass stems. Research with direct seed plantings like Pili grass, require a different protocol than the one described above. The site preparation for Pili grass experiments requires a debris free soil surface that is supplied with reliable overhead irrigation. Primary target of this research is to identifying herbicides that can control both grass and broadleaf weeds while allowing Pili grass to emerge with an acceptable amount of stand reduction . For objective #3: Newly developed herbicides in the chemical family sulfonylureas will be compared to the standard grassy weed control treatment that can no longer be controlled with MSMA due to the EPA ban of the herbicide in 2009 for residential and athletic fields. For objective #4: Growers of potted orchids; anthuriums and potted palms will be contacted and asked to provide space in their commercial production facilities for herbicide screening experiments. Sequential applications of candidate herbicides will be applied approximately every 70 days for a total of 5 applications. Visual rating of crop injury will be recorded prior to each spray application. At termination, dry weight of roots and shoots will be recorded as a measure of crop response to spray applications.

Progress 10/01/10 to 09/30/15

Outputs
Target Audience: Farmers producing crops adaptable to the living mulch farming system. Extension staffs servicing crop producers that need to develop land management plans that mitigate polluted runoff. Scientific peers interested in tropical no till farming systems to reduce soil erosion. Hawaii Department of Transportation representatives promoting the use of Native Hawaiian Plants on roadways Contractors that bid on and receive contracts from the HIDOT for the installation of native Hawaiian ground covers on highway rights of way. Grower that seek income providing planting materials for native Hawaiian plants or roadways. Golf course and landscape managers. Representative of chemical companies distributing herbicides for turf and landscapes. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The project provides 4-5 live weed control workshops on participant specific topics dealing with weed control and pesticide awareness. The professional development and training was provided to local turf grass managers, Department of Defense employees that work with pesticides, college students and participants the Master Gardener programs. These seminars are described as "other" products in another section of this final report. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The results of research and extension product have been distributed via online video and written report posted online at: http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/deFrankJ/index.htm. Results have also been disseminated via refereed scientific journals. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? 1st. objective:The use of Pili grass (Heteropogon contortus), a native Hawaiian species, useful for roadside erosion control requires dry storage for dormancy relief. Management in the use of Pili grass requires the production of seeds that have been properly treated to relieve seed dormancy. Additional treatments to relieve dormancy have been identified. Smoke from burning vegetation may provide a cheap and practical seed treatment for tanglehead. Dose rate and comparison studies were conducted to evaluate the effects of three smoke-infused water formulations [i.e. food grade liquid smoke (FGLS), xylose smoke-infused water (XSW) and tanglehead smoke-infused water (TSW)] and two smoke-derived stimulatory compounds [karrikinolide (KAR1) and cyanide (potassium cyanide and mandelonitrile as cyanide sources)]. Optimum dilutions from the smoke-infused water formulations were 1% v/v for FGLS and no dilution for both XSW and TSW. FGLS and TSW provided consistent germination stimulation in two batches of seed that represented two levels of dormancy relief. XSW was less effective since its ability to stimulate germination was not consistent across the two seed batches. KAR1 was not stimulatory at concentrations between 0.0067 and 66.7 µM. Assays with potassium cyanide indicated that cyanide stimulated germination of dormant tanglehead seeds between 50 to 500 µM. Germination with mandelonitrile not only confirmed the cyanide effect, but also indicated the stimulatory effect of benzaldehyde (a by-product of mandelonitrile decomposition). Benzaldehyde at 50 to 100 µM significantly stimulated germination of tanglehead. Cyanide-stimulated germination suggests the role of reactive oxygen species in dormancy loss of tanglehead seeds under warm, dry conditions. The presence of cyanide at stimulatory levels was confirmed in TSW (i.e., ~100 µM), but not in FGLS or XSW. Germination observed in these non-cyanide containing smoke sources indicates the presence of other bioactive compounds in smoke. The major goals accomplished for Objective 2 (DOT protocols) are documented on a website that contains both text and video detailing herbicides safe and effective for the establishment of 4 separate native Hawaiian plants. The URL for the detailed presentation of accomplishment for Goal 2 is:http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/deFrankJ/NON_HOMEPAGE_PAGES/NG_hdro_HWY_L_2005_06.htm#Native_Grass_Hydroseed_Development. Goal 3 was thoroughly addressed with Research involving warn season turfgrass weed control focused on the control of weedy species such as goose grass (Elusine indica) and Carolina love grass (Eragrostis pectinacea). A novel tank mix of postemergence herbicides that included mesotrione (176 g ai/ha) and metribuzin (421 grams ai/ha) applied 2 times 2 weeks apart provided near 100% control of these two hard to control grassy weeds. Additional turf weeds controlled with this mixture included Swollen fingergrass (Chloris barbata) and Star grass (Chloris divaricata). The tank mix of mesotrione and metribuzin caused noticeable but commercially acceptable injury to non-dormant common Bermuda grass maintained as a sport turf in an active soccer complex. This new tank mix appears to offer a useful alternative to metribuzin tank mixes that made use of MSMA (monosodium methane arsenate), a widely used postemergence herbicide banned by the EPA in 2009. There was no progress on weed control in potted ornamental crops, the 4th goal in this project.

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2011 Citation: Scully, B.T., Nagata R.T., Sistrunk, D.M., Cherry, R.H., Nuessly, G.S., Kenworthy, K.E., and DeFrank , J. 2011. Registration of Aloha Seashore Paspalum. Journal of Plant Registration 5(1): 1-5.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2010 Citation: Baldos O.C., DeFrank J., and Sakamoto, G. 2010. Tolerance of transplanted seashore dropseed to pre-and postemergence herbicides. HortTechnology. 20(4):772-777
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: Baldos, O.C. , DeFrank, J., and Sakamoto, G. 2012. Pre- and Postemergence herbicide tolerance of Tropical Fimbry, a Native Hawaiian Sedge with potential use for roadside revegetation. HortTechnology: 22(1): 126-130.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Baldos, O.C., DeFrank, J., Kramer, M. and Sakamoto, G. 2014. Storage humidity and temperature affects dormancy loss and viability of tanglehead (Heteropogon contortus) seeds. HortScience 49(10):1328-1334.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Baldos O.C., DeFrank, J., and Sakamoto, G. 2015. Germination response of dormant tanglehead (Heteropogon contortus) seeds to smoke-infused water and the smoke-associated stimulatory compounds, karrikinolide (KAR1) and cyanide. HortScience 50(3):421-429
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2010 Citation: Lukas, S., DeFrank, J., Baldos, O., and Sakamoto, G. 2010. The response of weeds and cut stems of Sporobolus virginicus (L.) Kunth (a native Hawaiian ground cover) to two forms of oxadiazon applied as a component of a hydromulch cap. 22st Annual CTAHR Student Research Symposium, April 9-10, 2010. University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2010 Citation: Baldos, O.C., DeFrank, J. and Sakamoto, G. 2010. Preemergence Herbicide Screening for Transplanted Sporobolus virginicus Plugs, a Native Hawaiian Grass with Roadside Revegetation Potential (#). 63rd Annual Meeting of the Western Society of Weed Science, March 8-11, 2010, Waikoloa Beach Marriott, Waikoloa, Hawaii, USA. 2010 Proceedings of the Western Weed Science (63): 58 (abstract #135)
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2011 Citation: DeFrank, J. 2010. Weed control solutions for native Hawaiian plant establishment on roadsides. Pest World 2010, Hawaii Convention Center Oct. 20-23. pp: 17
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2010 Citation: Lukas S., DeFrank, J., Balos, O., and Sakamoto, G. 2010. The response of weeds and cut stems of sporobolus virginicus (l.) Kunth (a native hawaiian ground cover) to two forms of oxadiazon applied as a component of a hydromulch cap in a simulated planting for roadside establishment. 63rd Annual Meeting of the Western Society of Weed Science, March 8-11, 2010, Waikoloa Beach Marriott, Waikoloa, Hawaii, USA. 2010 Proceedings of the Western Weed Science (63): 59 (abstract #137)
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2010 Citation: Baldos, O.C., DeFrank, J., Lukas, S., and Sakamoto, G. 2010. Roadside right-of-way areas: An underutilized native groundcover production site for large scale re-vegetation projects in Hawaii (Poster presentation: #15, URL: http://www.nativeseed.info/posters.html). National Native Seed Conference, May 17-21, 2010, Cliff Lodge, Snowbird, Utah, USA
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2011 Citation: Lukas, S.B., DeFrank, J. and Sakamoto, G.S. 2011. The response of weeds and cut stems of the native Hawaiian grass Sporobolus virginicus (l.) Kunth to two forms and two rates of oxadiazon applied as a component of a hydromulch cap in a simulated roadside planting. Oral Session Abstracts of the 2011 ASHS Conference, Waikoloa, HI. Sept. 25-26, 2011. Supplement to HortScience 46(9): S125
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2011 Citation: DeFrank, J. 2011. An Improved Method of Air Layering Tropical Hardwoods for Forestry, Fruit, and Ornamental Nurseries. Workshop Session Abstracts of the 2011 ASHS Conference, Waikoloa, HI. Sept. 25-26, 2011. Supplement to HortScience 46(9): S312 pp: 23
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2011 Citation: Baldos, O.C., DeFrank, G., and Sakamoto, G.S. 2011. Improving germination of piligrass (Heteropogon contortus) seeds using liquid smoke flavoring. Poster Session Abstracts of the 2011 ASHS Conference, Waikoloa, HI. Sept. 25-26, 2011. Supplement to HortScience 46(9): S81
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Lukas, S.B., DeFrank, J., Baldos, O.C., and Sakamoto, G.S. 2015. Response of Seashore Dropseed and Weed Species to the Preemergence Herbicide Oxadiazon Applied as a Component of a Hydromulch Cap. HortTechnology 25(4):565-568.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Baldos, O.C., DeFrank, J., and Sakamoto, G. 2013. Storage temperature and relative humidity affects the rate of afterripening and viability of Heteropogon contortus seeds. 2013 National Seed Conference, Santa Fe, NM April 8  11, 2013. Program and Schedule of Activities: pp 32
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Baldos, O.C., DeFrank, J. and Sakamoto, G. 2013. Storage temperature and relative humidity affects the rate of after ripening and viability of Heteropogon contortus seeds. 2013 National Native Seed Conference, April 8-11, 2013, Eldorado Hotel, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Baldos, O.C., DeFrank, J., and Sakamoto, G. 2013. Dormancy loss and viability of pili grass seeds is affected by storage temperature and relative humidity. 2013 College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR) and College of Engineering (COE) Student Research Symposium, April 13, 2013, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Baldos, O.C., DeFrank, J., Lukas, S.B., and Sakamoto, G.S. 2015. Optimizing Heteropogon contortus seed harvest timing through sequential harvesting and characterization of flowering tillers. 2015 National Native Seed Conference, April 13-16, 2015, Eldorado Hotel, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA http://nativeseed.info/wp-content/uploads/2015-National-Native-Seed-Conference-Program-DRAFT-March9.pdf
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2010 Citation: Baldos, O.C., DeFrank, J., Lukas, S., Sakamoto, G., and Dacus, C. 2010. Roadside right-of-way areas: An underutilized native groundcover production site for large scale re-vegetation projects in Hawaii [Online, technical poster]. Available: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_PLANTMATERIALS/publications/hipmcpo9757.pdf.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2011 Citation: Baldos, O.C., DeFrank, J., and Sakamoto, G. 2011. Improving germination of pili grass (Heteropogon contortus) seeds using liquid smoke flavoring [Online, technical poster]. Available: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_PLANTMATERIALS/publications/hipmcpo10557.pdf
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Baldos, O.C., DeFrank, J., and Sakamoto, G. 2013. Storage temperature and relative humidity affects the rate of after ripening and viability of Heteropogon contortus seeds [Online, published abstract]. Available: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_PLANTMATERIALS/publications/hipmcab11593.pdf
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: DeFrank, J. and Lukas, S. 2012. Pili grass as roadside vegetation. Hawaii Landscape: February|March 2012: 11-13. [Hardcopy and Online published article]. Available: https://www.hawaiiscape.com/magazinearchive/
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Cheng, Z. and DeFrank, J. 2014. Pesticide-Free Weed Control. Hawaii Landscape, September|October 2014. Pages: 10-11. [Hardcopy and Online published article]. Available: https://www.hawaiiscape.com/magazinearchive/
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Umeda, K., DeFrank, J., and Baldos, O. 2013. Evaluation and comparison of post emergence herbicide applications for goose grass control in rough turf. [Online, published abstract]. Available: http://www.wsweedscience.org/wp-content/uploads/research-report-archive/2013%20WSWS%20RPR.pdf
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: J. Hollyer, D. Meyer, F. Brooks, L. Castro, J. Sugano, B. Brennan, K. Wilcoxen, K. Davis, R. Pont, J. DeFrank, C. Okazaki, J, Uyeda, R. Shimabuku, J. Leary, S. Fukuda, L. Nakamura-Tengan, C. Tarutani, M. Wright, M. Kawate, C. Nagamine, K-H. Wang, and M. Melzer (as contributors/reviewers). 2014. Apply pesticides safely, legally, effectively. (safety poster).
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: J. Hollyer, D. Meyer, F. Brooks, L. Castro, J. Sugano, B. Brennan, K. Wilcoxen, K. Davis, R. Pont, J. DeFrank, C. Okazaki, J, Uyeda, L. Yudin and M. Melzer (as contributors/reviewers). 2014. Protect yourself and workers from pesticides (safety poster).
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: DeFrank, J. and Ito, R. 2016. Grassy weed control in Bermuda grass sport turf. Hawaii Landscape, January|Febuary 2016. Pages 18-21.
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2010 Citation: DeFrank, J. 2010. Weed Control Solutions for Native Hawaiian Plant establishment on Roadsides. In this presentation you will learn how herbicides can be used in a safe and effective manner to establish native Hawaiian plants in large scale plantings. Posted: 10/21/10. Available: http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/deFrankJ/NON_HOMEPAGE_PAGES/Native%20Plants%20for%20Hawaii's%20Roadways.htm
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2010 Citation: DeFrank, J. 2010. Aiea Baseball field weed cleanup  2010. This presentation covers a case study for the weed cleanup of the Aiea baseball field on Oahu, Hawaii and contains a description of all the fertilizer and herbicide applications made over a 4 month period from August to the end of December, 2010. Posted: 01/28/11. Available: http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/deFrankJ/NON_HOMEPAGE_PAGES/Aiea_field_cleanup_2010.htm#Aiea_Baseball_field_weed_cleanup_-_2010.
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2011 Citation: DeFrank, J. 2011. Weed control Considerations for Potted Tropical Ornamentals and Turf. This presentation summarized 5 years of research on weed control in potted anthurium, orchids and Raphis palms. In additional to his research summaries he discusses the sources of weeds in Hawaii's potted plants, crop response to sequential herbicide applications, improved root growth safety with herbicide fortified mulch and thoughts on sport turf renovations. Posted: 02/09/11. Available: http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/deFrankJ/NON_HOMEPAGE_PAGES/Weed_Control_Potted_Tropical_Ornamentals_Turf_2011.htm#Weed_Control_Consideration_for_Tropical_Potted_Ornamentals_and_Sport_Turf_Renovations
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: DeFrank, J. 2012. Weed control update for warm season turf in Hawaii. Topics included a recap of the infield renovation of the Aiea High School baseball (2010 to 2011) field that included fertilization, weed control and mowing. Lessons learned form the Aiea project were carried over to the Waipio Soccer fields and a description of the weed control treatments and results (in 2011) are reviewed. New herbicide products and packaging available to Hawaii turf managers are described. The seminar ends with a discussion of new permit requirements for the use of herbicides for aquatic weed control in Hawaii. Posted 01/19/12. Available: http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/deFrankJ/NON_HOMEPAGE_PAGES/Weed_control_update_turf_2012.htm#Turf_Weed_Control_Update_2012
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: DeFrank, J. 2012. Weed control in Aiea ball field, Waipio Soccer Field issues and new rules for Aquatic weed control. Topics included a recap of the baseball infield renovation of Aiea High School (2010 to 2012) with suggestions for a summer 2012 weed control "tune up", progress and problems at the Waipio Soccer Field with regards to weed control and general site management and short review of new laws affecting pesticide applications to aquatic sites. Posted 05/22/12. Available: http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/deFrankJ/NON_HOMEPAGE_PAGES/CPS_12ann_05182012.htm#CPS_12ann_Update_2012.
  • Type: Websites Status: Submitted Year Published: 2012 Citation: DeFrank, J. 2012. Weed control recommendations-home turf, landscapes and gardens. Discussion included a description of selected websites to help with weed and pest ID, pest control recommendations and other landscape management information. Also covered was a list of common turf weeds and recommended control approaches. An extended discussion was presented on the biology of purple nut sedge and how understanding this weeds biology helps to maximize the effectiveness both chemical and non chemical approaches to control in nursery beds and home gardens. Posted: 06/01/12. Available: http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/deFrankJ/Streaming%20Media/Windows_Media/HLICA_web_weeds_NS_05252012/HLICA_web_resources_weeds_NS_05252012.htm#HLICA_2012
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: DeFrank, J. 2012. Web based resources for weed I.D. and control, problems weeds in Hawaiian turf and purple nutsedge control in gardens and ornamental nursery beds. The participants are part of federal employee's pesticide certification program required of all pesticide handlers. This presentation covers Dr. DeFrank's selected web based resources for Hawaii weed I.D. and control recommendations. Problem sedge and broadleaf weeds are described and control recommendations for warm season turf are discussed. The presentation concludes with an in-depth description of the biology of Purple Nutsedge and IPM practices used to control this important weed with cultivation, systemic herbicides and woven black plastic weed mat. Posted: 10/16/12. Available: http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/deFrankJ/NON_HOMEPAGE_PAGES/Web_resources_Weed_ID_control_10122012.htm#Web_based resources_2012.
  • Type: Websites Status: Submitted Year Published: 2013 Citation: DeFrank, J. 2013. Preplant control strategies for yellow nutsedge and other weeds in vegetable crops. Topics covered were web-based resources for weed identification and pesticide recommendations, biology of nutsedges and how it relates to control strategies and mechanical, cultural and chemical means of managing yellow and purple nutsedge. Posted 03/14/2013. Available: http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/deFrankJ/NON_HOMEPAGE_PAGES/Weed_control_Vegcrops_2013.htm
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: DeFrank, J. 2012. Establishment protocols for Pili grass on roadside areas. Provides a detailed description of protocols to establish the native Hawaiian grass Pili Grass on roadside plantings. Posted: 10/18/12. Available: http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/deFrankJ/NON_HOMEPAGE_PAGES/LICH_2012_JD_RI.htm#Web_based resources_2012
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: DeFrank, J. 2012. Control of problem weeds in Big Island Landscapes. Includes a discussion of web based resources for weed I.D. and control methods in turf and landscapes. Also provided is a discussion of IPM methods for the control of purple nutsedge in gardens and nurseries. Posted: 11/27/12. Available: http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/deFrankJ/NON_HOMEPAGE_PAGES/Kona_Weed_control_BigIsland_11172012.htm#LICH_Green_Industry_2012
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: DeFrank, J. 2012. Herbicide Evaluation on Hawaii Turf. This presentation covered research results for selected weed control studies conducted in the summer of 2012. Includes results on the use of herbicides and salt to encourage the spread of seashore paspalum (cv. Sea Dwarf) from the planted greens to the surrounding aprons at the Pali golf course on Oahu. Herbicide studies on turf included Dallis grass and Green Kyllinga control in Bermuda sports turf. Posted: 01/24/13. Available: http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/deFrankJ/NON_HOMEPAGE_PAGES/PacAg_2013.htm#PacAg_2013
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: DeFrank, J. 2013. Maui Master Gardener's Class on weed control. Posted: 03/18/13. Topics covered were web-based resources for weed identification and pesticide recommendations, biology of nutsedges and how it relates to control strategies and mechanical, cultural and chemical means of managing yellow and purple nutsedge. Posted 03/18/13. Available: http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/deFrankJ/NON_HOMEPAGE_PAGES/Maui_MG_weeds_2013.htm#Maui_MG_weeds_2013
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: DeFrank, J. 2013. Oahu-Pearl City Urban Gardeners, Master Gardener's Class on weed control. Topics covered were web-based resources for weed identification and pesticide recommendations, biology of nutsedges and how it relates to control strategies and mechanical, cultural and chemical means of managing yellow and purple nutsedge. Posted: 05/06/2013. Available: http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/deFrankJ/NON_HOMEPAGE_PAGES/PCUG_MG_weeds_2013.htm
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: DeFrank, J. 2013. Weed Control in Hawaii's Turf - Research results, control concepts and non-chemical renovation of sport turf fields. A recap of the summer 2012 weed control "tune up" at the Aiea High School baseball field, weed control research results of visiting turf grass weed scientist Kai Umeda and the concept introduction of a non-chemical approach to renovation of sports turf called "Lights Out Method of Turf grass renovation". Posted: 06/07/13. Available: http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/deFrankJ/NON_HOMEPAGE_PAGES/CPS_honolu_2013.htm
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: DeFrank, J. 2014. DOD Pest management recertification Class for 2014. Identification and review of Dr. DeFrank selections for web based resources for weed ID and control recommendations as well as applied techniques for weed control in warm season turf grass in Hawaii. Posted 01/23/14. Available: http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/deFrankJ/NON_HOMEPAGE_PAGES/DOD_recert_2014.htm#DOD_recert_2014
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: DeFrank, J. 2013. Weed control in landscapes and turf. Topics covered were web-based resources for weed identification and pesticide recommendations, control recommendation of common landscape weeds and discussion of non-chemical approach to sport turf renovation. Posted 08/14/13. Available: http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/deFrankJ/NON_HOMEPAGE_PAGES/Kauai_WC_landscp_08062013.htm#Kauai_WC_landscp_2013
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: DeFrank, J. 2014. IPM for Yellow and Purple nutsedge in farms and turf grass. Integrated pest management techniques for yellow and purple nutsedge in gardens and turf in Hawaii. Presented as an invited guest lecturer in the Integrated Pest Management AG-132 at Windward Community College. Posted: 01/17/14. Available: http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/deFrankJ/NON_HOMEPAGE_PAGES/Nutsedge_IPM_WCC_2013.htm
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: DeFrank, J. 2014. Improving Herbicide Performance And New Turf Weed Wiper. A presentation on 2013 research results to evaluate tank mixtures for weed control in Bermuda grass maintained as sports turf and video of a hand pulled weed wiper and the results of wiping weeds with a 20% solution of the systemic herbicide glyphosate. Posted: 01/17/14. Available: http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/deFrankJ/NON_HOMEPAGE_PAGES/PacAg_2014.htm#JD_PacAg_2014
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: DeFrank, J. 2014. Master Gardeners Weed Science Classes for 2014 on Maui, Oahu and Kauai. A weed science short course for Hawaii's Master Gardener's classes on Maui (03/19/14) Oahu (03/21/14 and Kauai (03/26/14). Posted 04/10/14. Available: http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/deFrankJ/NON_HOMEPAGE_PAGES/MG_2014.htm
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: DeFrank, J. 2014. New Developments in Grassy Weed Control in Bermuda and Seashore Paspalum Turf in Hawaii-2014. Topics included ID of problem grassy weeds, recent research results and case study involving the tank mix of Tenacity and Sencor on grassy weeds in common Bermuda grass sport turf and Sea Dwarf Seashore Paspalum. Posted 05/28/14. Available: http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/deFrankJ/NON_HOMEPAGE_PAGES/CPS_2014.htm#CPS_2014
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: DeFrank, J. 2014. Weeds & Pesticide Safety. A 2-hour workshop on working safely with pesticides, weed control and organic methods of vegetable crop production. This presentation was provided to the 2014-2015 editions of the WorldWide Farmers Exchange training workshops. (Posted 11/03/2014) Available: http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/deFrankJ/NON_HOMEPAGE_PAGES/Maui_WFE_JD_2014.htm#Maui_WFE
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: DeFrank, J. 2014. Control of Grassy Weeds in Bermuda Grass Sport Turf at Waipio Soccer Fields, Research Review and Case Study for Summer and Winter Weed Cleanup in Late 2013 and Summer of 2014. Identification of problem weeds in warm season turf in Hawaii and the evolution of research with the post herbicide Tenacity that extends from November 2006 to the summer of 2014. Summer and winter season weed control protocols are discussed in detail, highlighting the proper selection of pre and post emergence herbicides, their sequence of application and timings between treatments. Control of difficult grassy weeds like Love grass and Goose grass is described. Posted 10/29/14. Available: http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/deFrankJ/NON_HOMEPAGE_PAGES/LICH_2014.htm
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: DeFrank, J. 2014. Improved Air Layer methods for Tropical Hardwood: Fruits, Ornamentals and Forest Species. Lecture for TPSS 364 Fall 2014. A brief history of air layering and review of the patent literature dealing with air layer inventions and improvements to current air layer arts explained with specific examples. Posted 10/27/14. Available: http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/deFrankJ/NON_HOMEPAGE_PAGES/TPSS_364_fall_2014_airlayer.htm#TPSS_364_fall2014
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: DeFrank, J., Baldos, O.C., and Lukas, S.B. 2014. Establishment protocols for 3 native Hawaiian plants on roadside areas. (posted 12/09/14) Available: http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/deFrankJ/NON_HOMEPAGE_PAGES/NG_hdro_HWY_L_2005_06.htm#Native_Grass_Hydroseed_Development
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: DeFrank, J. 2015. Turn the Page Farming, a New Concept in Organic Weed Control (posted 10/12/15). Available: http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/deFrankJ/NON_HOMEPAGE_PAGES/WS_TTP_2015.htm#ttp_2015
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: DeFrank, J. 2015. Time of year consideration for grassy weed control in war season turf. (Posted 02/04/15). Available: http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/deFrankJ/NON_HOMEPAGE_PAGES/PacAg_2015.htm#JD_PacAg_2014
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: DeFrank, J. 2015. Applied Weed Control Technology: Tropical Turf Grass Management Research to develop improved control of grassy weeds in Bermuda grass sport turf (posted 10/20/15). Available: http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/deFrankJ/NON_HOMEPAGE_PAGES/peps_tpss_418_2015.htm#peps_tpss_JD_10192015
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: DeFrank, J., Baldos, O.C., and Lukas, S.B. 2014. Pili grass establishment on Hawaiis roadways. A detailed description of an establishment protocol for Pili grass on roadside rights-of-ways. (Posted 12/09/14) Available: http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/deFrankJ/NON_HOMEPAGE_PAGES/NG_hdro_HWY_L_2005_06.htm#Native_Grass_Hydroseed_Development
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: DeFrank, J. 2014. Site preparation for native Hawaiian Plants on roadways. A detailed protocol on site preparation prior to the establishment of native Hawaiian plants on roadside rights-of-way. (Posted 12/09/14) Available: http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/deFrankJ/NON_HOMEPAGE_PAGES/NG_hdro_HWY_L_2005_06.htm#Native_Grass_Hydroseed_Development
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: DeFrank, J. 2015. Weed control for tropical cropping systems, a 30 year review of weed science research in Hawaii with Dr. Joe DeFrank. (posted 03/23/15). Available: http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/deFrankJ/Streaming%20Media/Windows_Media/JD_TPSS_Fac_Sem_2015/JD_TPSS_Sem_03_20_2015.htm#JD_tpss_sem_2015
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: DeFrank, J. 2015. Master gardening training in Weed Science  2015. (posted 03/30/15). Available: http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/deFrankJ/NON_HOMEPAGE_PAGES/MG_2015.htm#MG_2015
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: DeFrank, J. 2015. Weed Control in Tropical Turf and Roadside Landscapes Planted to Native Hawaiian Plants (posted 05/18/2015). Available: http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/deFrankJ/NON_HOMEPAGE_PAGES/CPS_2015.htm
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: DeFrank, J. 2015.Horticultural Practices -2015 Air layering tropical ornamental hardwood trees (posted 10/23/15). Available: http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/deFrankJ/NON_HOMEPAGE_PAGES/tpss_365_hort_practices_2015.htm#TPSS_364_2015


Progress 10/01/13 to 09/30/14

Outputs
Target Audience: Target audience: Private landscape contractors, golf course superintendents, turf grass producers and sport turf managers are the target audience for research dealing with turf grass weed control. The Hawaii Department of Transportation and contractors working on the highway rights of way are the target audience for research dealing with establishment, growth and seed production of native Hawaiian plants for roadside erosion mitigation. Scientific peers in the disciplines of weed control and seed technology are members of my target audience. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? My extension program in applied weed science has involved numerous live oral presentations to a variety of stakeholders in addition to conventional written reports. During the reporting period, I have delivered 9 live seminars or workshops with an estimated attendance of 415. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? I make a major effort to record my outreach presentations and pair them online with a pdf file of my slides. My reason for providing this content in a two-file format is to allow low powered computers to easily download or stream the low quality video with high quality sound and in a separate browser window, view a high resolution version of the slides used in the presentation. If a high quality video were used to provide high resolution slide images, the data band width would limit the number of viewers that could make use of this content without significant and disruptive video stuttering. Through trial and error, I composed the video compression preset used to produce a file containing 1 hour video down to approximately 240 mb in size. The video compression scheme that I developed, within a commercial video editing software package, allows playback equally well on both Mac and PC platforms with no detectable stuttering on computers with a wide variety of video playback capabilities. During the reporting period, I have posted 9 videos with paired slideshow files on the CTAHR server. I provided 9 oral seminars recorded during Master Gardener workshops, turf and ornamental trade shows, the annual conference of the Hawaii Landscape Industry Council (LICH), Department of Defense (DOD) pesticide recertification programs and various farming group seminars. An estimated 419 target audience participants attended these presentations. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? In the next reporting period the project will focus on seed production technology of 2 additional native Hawaiian plants that have been identified as suitable for roadway plantings in Hawaii. We will be targeting an annual grass (Panicum torridium, common name Konakona) and a perennial broadleaf (Waltheria indica, common name Uhaloa) for detailed research. Specific research activity will include characterization of seed dormancy and methods to relieve it with dry storage. Development precision wiper technology will allow for the application of turf pesticide without the use of spray equipment.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? The use of Pili grass (Heteropogon contortus), a native Hawaiian species, useful for roadside erosion control requires dry storage for dormancy relief. Management in the use of Pili grass requires the production of seeds that have been properly treated to relieve seed dormancy. Additional treatments to relieve dormancy have been identified. Smoke from burning vegetation may provide a cheap and practical seed treatment for tanglehead. Dose rate and comparison studies were conducted to evaluate the effects of three smoke-infused water formulations [i.e. food grade liquid smoke (FGLS), xylose smoke-infused water (XSW) and tanglehead smoke-infused water (TSW)] and two smoke-derived stimulatory compounds [karrikinolide (KAR1) and cyanide (potassium cyanide and mandelonitrile as cyanide sources)]. Optimum dilutions from the smoke-infused water formulations were 1% v/v for FGLS and no dilution for both XSW and TSW. FGLS and TSW provided consistent germination stimulation in two batches of seed that represented two levels of dormancy relief. XSW was less effective since its ability to stimulate germination was not consistent across the two seed batches. KAR1 was not stimulatory at concentrations between 0.0067 and 66.7 µM. Assays with potassium cyanide indicated that cyanide stimulated germination of dormant tanglehead seeds between 50 to 500 µM. Germination with mandelonitrile not only confirmed the cyanide effect, but also indicated the stimulatory effect of benzaldehyde (a by-product of mandelonitrile decomposition). Benzaldehyde at 50 to 100 µM significantly stimulated germination of tanglehead. Cyanide-stimulated germination suggests the role of reactive oxygen species in dormancy loss of tanglehead seeds under warm, dry conditions. The presence of cyanide at stimulatory levels was confirmed in TSW (i.e., ~100 µM), but not in FGLS or XSW. Germination observed in these non-cyanide containing smoke sources indicates the presence of other bioactive compounds in smoke. Research involving common Bermuda grass sport turf weed control identified a comprehensive series of herbicides, sequences and treatment intervals for summer season approach for hard to control grassy weeds that include goose grass (Elusine indica) and Carolina love grass (Eragrostis pectinacea). Effective control of these two species required a specific series of herbicide treatments. In Hawaii, beginning in April thru August the control protocols begins with application of the herbicide indaziflam applied at 50 g ai/ha. Indaziflam provides both preemergence weed control as well as root pruning for 3-4 months in an actively managed and irrigated sport turf fields. Within 40 days after the indaziflam application a tank mix of foramsulfuron (43 g ai/ha) + thiencarbazone (18.4 g ai/ha) + iodosulfuron-methyl-sodium (4.0 g ai/ha) + dicamba (121.1 g ai/ha) + non-ionic surfactant 0.25% v/v applied two times 21 days apart controls all of the small to medium sized goose grass and severely compromises the main root system of very large goose grass and the Carolina love grass. At 28 to 36 days after the second application a tank mix of metribuzin (105 to 201 g ai/ha) + mesotrione (176 g ai/ha) controlled all of the Carolina love grass and large goose grass. Injury to Bermuda grass was significant but was only visible on new growth (bleached foliage) that could be easily mowed off. Within 2 weeks after the second tank mix Bermuda grass green color was restored.

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Baldos O.C., DeFrank, J., Kramer, M., and Sakamoto, G. 2014. Storage humidity and temperature affects dormancy loss and viability of tanglehead (Heteropogon contortus) seeds. HortScience 49(10):1328-1334.
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Cheng, Z. and DeFrank, J. 2014. Pesticide-Free Weed Control. Hawaii Landscape, September | October 2014. Pages: 10-11. [Hardcopy and Online published article]. Available: https://www.hawaiiscape.com/magazinearchive/. [Accessed November 15, 2014].
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Hollyer, J., Meyer, D., Brooks, F., Castro, L., Sugano, J., Brennan, B., Wilcoxen, K., Davis, K., Pont, R., DeFrank, J., Okazaki, C., Uyeda, J., Yudin, L., and Melzer, M. (as contributors/reviewers). 2014. Protect yourself and workers from pesticides (safety poster).
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Hollyer, J., Meyer, D., Brooks, F., Castro, L., Sugano, J., Brennan, B., Wilcoxen, K., Davis, K., Pont, R., DeFrank, J., Okazaki, C., Uyeda, J., Shimabuku, R., Leary, J., Fukuda, S., Nakamura-Tengan, L., Tarutani, C., Wright, M., Kawate, M., Nagamine, C., Wang, K-H., and Melzer, M. (as contributors/reviewers). 2014. Apply pesticides safely, legally, effectively. (safety poster).
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: DeFrank, J. 2014. Site preparation for native Hawaiian Plants on roadways. A detailed protocol on site preparation prior to the establishment of native Hawaiian plants on roadside rights-of-way. (Posted 12/09/14) Available: http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/deFrankJ/NON_HOMEPAGE_PAGES/NG_hdro_HWY_L_2005_06.htm#Native_Grass_Hydroseed_Development .
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: DeFrank, J., Baldos, O.C., and Lukas, S.B. 2014. Pili grass establishment on Hawaiis roadways. A detailed description of an establishment protocol for Pili grass on roadside rights-of-ways. (Posted 12/09/14) Available: http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/deFrankJ/NON_HOMEPAGE_PAGES/NG_hdro_HWY_L_2005_06.htm#Native_Grass_Hydroseed_Development .
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: DeFrank, J., Baldos, O.C., and Lukas, S.B. 2014. Establishment protocols for 3 native Hawaiian plants on roadside areas. (posted 12/09/14) Available: http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/deFrankJ/NON_HOMEPAGE_PAGES/NG_hdro_HWY_L_2005_06.htm#Native_Grass_Hydroseed_Development .
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: DeFrank, J. Master Gardeners Weed Science Classes for 2014 on Maui, Oahu and Kauai. A weed science short course for Hawaii's Master Gardener's classes on Maui (03/19/14) Oahu (03/21/14 and Kauai (03/26/14). Posted 04/10/14. Available: http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/deFrankJ/NON_HOMEPAGE_PAGES/MG_2014.htm. [Accessed November 15, 2014].
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: DeFrank, J. DOD Pest management recertification Class for 2014. Identification and review of Dr. DeFrank selections for web based resources for weed ID and control recommendations as well as applied techniques for weed control in warm season turf grass in Hawaii. Posted 01/23/14. Available: http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/deFrankJ/NON_HOMEPAGE_PAGES/DOD_recert_2014.htm#DOD_recert_2014. [Accessed November 15, 2014].
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: DeFrank, J. Weeds & Pesticide Safety. A 2-hour workshop on working safely with pesticides, weed control and organic methods of vegetable crop production. This presentation was provided to the 2014-2015 editions of the WorldWide Farmers Exchange training workshops. (Posted 11/03/2014) Available: http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/deFrankJ/NON_HOMEPAGE_PAGES/Maui_WFE_JD_2014.htm#Maui_WFE. [Accessed November 15, 2014].
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: DeFrank, J. Improved Air Layer methods for Tropical Hardwood: Fruits, Ornamentals and Forest Species. Lecture for TPSS 364 Fall 2014. A brief history of air layering and review of the patent literature dealing with air layer inventions and improvements to current air layer arts explained with specific examples. Posted 10/27/14. Available: http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/deFrankJ/NON_HOMEPAGE_PAGES/TPSS_364_fall_2014_airlayer.htm#TPSS_364_fall2014. [Accessed November 15, 2014].
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: DeFrank, J. Control of Grassy Weeds in Bermuda Grass Sport Turf at Waipio Soccer Fields, Research Review and Case Study for Summer and Winter Weed Cleanup in Late 2013 and Summer of 2014. Identification of problem weeds in warm season turf in Hawaii and the evolution of research with the post herbicide Tenacity that extends from November 2006 to the summer of 2014. Summer and winter season weed control protocols are discussed in detail, highlighting the proper selection of pre and post emergence herbicides, their sequence of application and timings between treatments. Control of difficult grassy weeds like Love grass and Goose grass is described. Posted 10/29/14. Availabe; http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/deFrankJ/NON_HOMEPAGE_PAGES/LICH_2014.htm. [Accessed November 15, 2014].
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: DeFrank, J. New Developments in Grassy Weed Control in Bermuda and Seashore Paspalum Turf in Hawaii-2014. Topics included ID of problem grassy weeds, recent research results and case study involving the tank mix of Tenacity and Sencor on grassy weeds in common Bermuda grass sport turf and Sea Dwarf Seashore Paspalum. Posted 05/28/14, Available: http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/deFrankJ/NON_HOMEPAGE_PAGES/CPS_2014.htm#CPS_2014. [Accessed November 15, 2014].


Progress 10/01/12 to 09/30/13

Outputs
Target Audience: Target audiences include professional turf and landscape managers in Hawaii that work as parks and recreation staff, golf course managers and their staff, landscape contractors and their staff, participants in the Master Gardener Program, Department of Defense employees that work with pesticides and Hawaii Department of Transportation Highway staff. I have two graduate students that I mentor and provide quest lectures to the Weed Science Class offered in Fall 2012. Professional peers in turf grass Weed Science are serviced by my participation in our professonal society as a reviewer of manuscripts submitted to the peer reviewed journal "Weed Science". Changes/Problems: We are currently target a native Hawaiian annual grass species, Panicum torridum for herbicide tolerance studies as well as seed harvest indicators. Freshly harvested seed from natural stands have a persistent dormancy that has yet to be charaterized. Without a readily available source of germinable seed all additional research on herbicide tolerance and seed harvest indicators cannot be initiated. We must focus on overcomming this seed dormancy problems to move forward on our project goals. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? During this reporting period I mentored 2 Ph.D. graduate students working on this project. In addtion to development of research skills in weed science both student traveled with me to the 2013 World AgExpo in Turlare, CA. The students were able to view 1st hand state of the art agricultural equipment, irrigation system and agricultural systems monitoring devices. The trade was attended over a 3-day period with over 100,000 people from around the world. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? I record all of my oral workshops and seminar and then post them at my college sponsored website: http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/deFrankJ/index.htm. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? In the next reporting period the project will focus on seed production technology of 2 additional native Hawaiian plants that have been identified as suitable for roadway plantings in Hawaii. We will be targeting an annual grass (Panicum torridium, common name Konakona) and a perennial broadleaf (Waltheria indica, common name Uhaloa) for detailed research. Specific research activity will include characterization of seed dormancy and methods to relieve it with dry storage. Herbicide tolerance studies will also be conducted with emphasis on the response of new transplants to over the top sprays of preemergence herbicides. Research in warm season turf weed control will continue to characterize the grassy weed control spectrum of the newly identified tank mix of mesotrione and metribuzin. Research on herbicide application technology will include the development of broadcast application of turf protection chemicals with precision wiper equipment. Development of precision wiper technology will allow for the application of turf pesticide without the use of spray equipment.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Research on native Hawaiian plants for roadside ground cover and erosion control involved the identification of an appropriate harvest index for seed production of the candidate grass Pili grass (Heteropogon contortus). Growing degree days of 768 and 778 (79 to 82 days after previous cutting) were identified as indicators of peaks in Pili grass seed yields. Spike moisture levels were also well correlated with a peak in seed harvest. When Pili grass spike moisture dropped to the range of 0.68 to 0.72 grams of water per gram of dry weight, maximum recovery of seed can be obtained. Pili grass (a perennial) seed yields declined with successive harvests over a 2 year period indicating that maintenance of high yields may involve removal of thatch. Pili grass seed dormancy was determined to be a “non-deep” form and can be relieved with dry storage. The optimum storage conditions to relieve Pili grass seed dormancy required a seed moisture level of 6% (dry weight basis) and 30 degrees C for 6-9 months. Depth of Pili grass seed dormancy was reduced when seeds were harvested in March compared to seed harvested in October on the leeward side of Molokai. Pili grass seeds that were relieved of dormancy retained a high level of viability when stored for 6 months at 5 degree C. Research involving warn season turfgrass weed control focused on the control of weedy species such as goose grass (Elusine indica) and Carolina love grass (Eragrostis pectinacea). A novel tank mix of postemergence herbicides that included mesotrione (176 g ai/ha) and metribuzin (421 grams ai/ha) applied 2 times 2 weeks apart provided near 100% control of these two hard to control grassy weeds. Additional turf weeds controlled with this mixture included Swollen fingergrass (Chloris barbata) and Star grass (Chloris divaricata). The tank mix of mesotrione and metribuzin caused noticeable but commercially acceptable injury to non-dormant common Bermuda grass maintained as a sport turf in an active soccer complex. This new tank mix appears to offer a useful alternative to metribuzin tank mixes that made use of MSMA (monosodium methane arsenate), a widely used postemergence herbicide banned by the EPA in 2009.

Publications

  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Baldos, O.C., DeFrank, J., and Sakamoto, G. 2013. Storage temperature and relative humidity affects the rate of afterripening and viability of Heteropogon contortus seeds. 2013 National Seed Conference, Santa Fe, NM April 8  11, 2013. Program and Schedule of Activities: pp 32.


Progress 10/01/11 to 09/30/12

Outputs
OUTPUTS: I address the project goal of improved weed control in ornamental turf and landscapes through workshops and seminars conducted by Trade Industry organizations, The Master Gardener Program and the Department of Defense Pesticide Recertification Program. During the reporting period, I provided workshop presentations at 9 venues with 367 participants. Topics cover a range of issues related to weed management in turf and landscapes setting that include: results of herbicide evaluations, case studies of weed control during sport field renovations, calibration of pesticide application equipment and commonly used herbicides for problems weeds in turf. I provided invited presentations to federal employees as part of the DOD recertification program for pesticide applicators. My presentations are recorded for online publication at the CTAHR website. Another of the goal of this project is to expand the use of native Hawaiian plants in both agricultural and landscape settings so that more planting material will be available for a variety of conservation uses. Pili grass (Heteropogon contortus) has been identified as a native grass with adaptations for growth and persistence in hot dry areas of Hawaii, making it an ideal ground cover for much of our roadside areas. Roadways are generally recognized as corridors for invasive species spread due to water runoff that provides moisture for growth and spread with surface flows. In this reporting period, a presentation was made to the Landscape Industry Council of Hawaii Tradeshow dealing with protocols to establish Pili grass from seed on highway rights of way. The purpose of this presentation was describe a proven method of preparing a site for planting, installing a dual irrigation system that included both overhead and drip delivery, and conditioning plant growth with mowing and fertilization to maximize seed production that spreads Pili grass throughout the desired establishment area. Due to the complexity of this comprehensive approach, my live presentation was recorded and posted with high resolution versions of my slides on the CTAHR website (http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/deFrankJ/index.htm). In addition to posting my seminar on Pili grass establishment, I published a brief description of the use of this grass as a roadside ground cover in the locally produced trade journal, Hawaii Landscape. PARTICIPANTS: My efforts on the Aiea Baseball field cleanup was conducted is close cooperation with Kaipo Bernie of the Honolulu City and County Department of Parks and Recreation and his field staff. They assisted me in treating the field and were provided hands on training for sprayer calibration and herbicide performance. The training they obtained with me is directly transferable to other parks on Oahu. The Department of Defense conducts a Pesticide Applicator Recertification Course on Oahu twice a year. Federal employees and active duty service members are required to participate to maintain their certification for pesticide application on federal lands and facilities. I provide workshop presentations on various aspects of herbicide use to include: sprayer calibration, herbicide performance updates and problem weed control recommendations in turf and landscapes. At many of my presentations to Landscape Industry Trade groups, points are awarded towards the State of Hawaii DOA certified applicators license. The maintenance of this license, via continuing education credits, is essential for professional pesticide applicators and landscape contractors who work with pesticides in commercial settings. During this reporting period, I sponsored a sabbatical leave for a visiting scientist, Kai Umeda, currently employed as a turf grass Extension Agent in Arizona. Mr. Umeda and I worked closely to install 5 herbicide evaluation experiments on sport turf sites on Oahu. Additional participants included golf course superintendents where research plots were located and these include: Pali, Ala Wai and Hoakalei. During this reporting period, Graduate Student years = 1.0 FTE. TARGET AUDIENCES: My program servers the weed control needs of landscape and turf managers in Hawaii, weed science graduate student in the Department of Tropical Plants and Soil Science and producers of potted ornamental plants and flowers. My work to develop protocols for the establishment of native Hawaiian Plants on roads targets engineers and contract specialist at the DOT who compose bid requests for roadside plantings. I also target scientific peers in Weed Science and Horticultural Science as well as student taking TPSS/PEPS Weed Science 481 in the fall 2011 semester. Since my outreach program relies heavily on the use of video delivery over the web, I wanted to share the skills I have acquired with our students. In 2012, I have targeted TPSS graduates and undergraduates with a new 1-credit special topics class (TPSS 491/711) on digital and electronic tools for the production and delivery of scientific content. The learning outcomes of this class included: orientation on new video and audio recording equipment, acquired by TPSS in 2012, and learning digital video editing skills to convert a conventional live slide show seminar and studio related performances into streaming media content for online and conventional DVD viewing (view class lectures, notes and student productions at: http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/deFrankJ/Digital_tools_F2012.htm#Digital_ Toos_F2012_title) . PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
An important outcome of my work in warm season turf weed control has been the hands on experience gained by turf managers and park service employees that assisted in my 2 year case study to renovate the Aiea High School baseball infield. My research findings on warm season turf weed control provided the basis for a comprehensive set of procedures that I employed. This case study started in September of 2010 with the close working assistance of Kaipo Bernie and his crew of 4 workers. I provided the sprayer and my time to make over 10 herbicide applications to this field over a 2 year period. Mr. Bernie and his crew provided the herbicides, fertilizers, manpower and large scale renovation equipment to complement my pesticide applications. The results of this collaboration has provided a source of locally adapted education and training for his crew that also services the Waipio Soccer fields and many other parks on Oahu. The information gained by this case study has also been shared through numerous workshop presentations to turf and landscape managers in Hawaii. The impact has been to produce sport turf on Ohau that is safer to play on due to a significant improvement in turf texture. The improvements in the turf at the Waipio soccer fields have helped to secure a Western Regional Championship of the U.S. Youth Soccer National Championship Series in June of 2013. A regional championship of this size brings many players and their supporters to Oahu and contributes in a positive way to tourist economy of the state. My experience at Aiea has resulted in sport turf consultation requests from the Hawaii DOE to help them with safety improvements of sport turf fields under their management.

Publications

  • Baldos, O.C. , DeFrank, J., and Sakamoto, G. 2012. Pre- and Postemergence herbicide tolerance of Tropical Fimbry, a Native Hawaiian Sedge with potential use for roadside revegetation. HortTechnology: 22(1): 126-130.
  • DeFrank, J. and Lukas, S. 2012. Pili grass as roadside vegetation. Hawaii Landscape: February/March 2012: 11-13. Online: http://www.hidili.com/landscapeIndustryCouncilofHawaii/landscapeHawai i/006/Landscape%20Hawaii.pdf, viewed on 12/02/2012.
  • DeFrank, J. 2012. Weed Control Update for Warm Season Turf in Hawaii - 2012. http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/deFrankJ/NON_HOMEPAGE_PAGES/Weed_control_ update_turf_2012.htm#Turf_Weed_Control_Update_2012. DeFrank, J. 2012. Herbicide use to control weeds in warm season turf. http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/deFrankJ/NON_HOMEPAGE_PAGES/CPS_12ann_051 82012.htm#CPS_12ann_Update_2012.
  • DeFrank, J. 2012. Weed control recommendations for home turf, landscapes and gardens. http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/deFrankJ/Streaming%20Media/Windows_Media/ HLICA_web_weeds_NS_05252012/HLICA_web_resources_weeds_NS_05252012.htm #HLICA_2012.
  • DeFrank, J. 2012. Web based resources for weed I.D. and control, problem weeds in Hawaiian turf and purple nutsedge control in gardens and ornamental nursery beds - 2012. http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/deFrankJ/NON_HOMEPAGE_PAGES/Web_resources _Weed_ID_control_10122012.htm#Web_based resources_2012.
  • DeFrank, J. 2012. Establishment protocols for Pili grass on roadside areas. http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/deFrankJ/NON_HOMEPAGE_PAGES/LICH_2012_JD_ RI.htm#Web_based resources_2012.
  • DeFrank, J. 2012. Control of weeds in Big Island Landscapes. http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/deFrankJ/NON_HOMEPAGE_PAGES/Kona_Weed_con trol_BigIsland_11172012.htm#LICH_Green_Industry_2012.


Progress 10/01/10 to 09/30/11

Outputs
OUTPUTS: During the reporting period I conducted 5 conventional seminars dealing with weed control considerations in potted ornamentals, warm season turf and Native Hawaiian Plants used for roadside stabilization. Attendance during these live presentations amounted to 228 people. To expand my reach with these content units I have posted selective work online: weed control for potted tropical ornamentals at (http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/deFrankJ/NON_HOMEPAGE_PAGES/Weed_Control _Potted_Tropical_Ornamentals_Turf_2011.htm) and weed control considerations during sport turf renovation at (http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/deFrankJ/NON_HOMEPAGE_PAGES/Aiea_field_c leanup_2010.htm#Aiea_Baseball_field_weed_cleanup_-_2010). In September of 2011 I provided an invited seminar on my new air layer system at the American Association of Horticultural Science (ASHS) in Waikoloa on the Island of Hawaii. I have developed a two part media device for sharing my live outreach seminars online, a process that requires a minimal amount of post production editing. For the ASHS presentation I posted an Adobe pdf of the slideshow and a video (in Windows Media File format-WMF) that can be downloaded and played. The video contains the speakers talking head at a reduced image quality but with good sound quality. A person watching the video receives visual cues to change the slide image on the pdf. With these two media units posted together, the content consumer must be a more active participant in the knowledge exchange process. My ASHS dual media content is posted online at: http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/deFrankJ/NON_HOMEPAGE_PAGES/ASHS_2011_WOR KSHOP.htm. As part of my mentoring of graduate students, I have made a special effort to have their oral thesis defense seminar recorded and posted online. On 03/09/11 I posted the final M.S. thesis defense of Scott Lukas that included his seminar performance, M.S. thesis and slide show as a pdf (http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/deFrankJ/NON_HOMEPAGE_PAGES/Native%20Pla nts%20for%20Hawaii%27s%20Roadways.htm). In October of 2010 I provided an invited presentation to participants of a national meeting of PestWorld 2010 at the Honolulu Convention Center. The organizer of this conference made an audio recording of my presentation which I used to voice over my slideshow graphics and was posted on line at: http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/deFrankJ/NON_HOMEPAGE_PAGES/Native%20Plan ts%20for%20Hawaii%27s%20Roadways.htm. For many of my live seminars I make an effort to record a high quality video for online posting with slideshow graphics as a downloadable pdf. Recording my live presentations and adapting them for online distribution expands my local stakeholder outreach program to a world wide audience. PARTICIPANTS: My efforts on the Aiea Baseball field cleanup was conducted is close cooperation with Kaipo Bernie of the Honolulu City and County Department of Parks and Recreation and his field staff. They assisted me in treating the field and were provided hands on training for sprayer calibration and herbicide performance. I manage a roadside ground cover establishment demonstration area with the Hawaii Department of Transportation. I also provide advice to the HIDOT on matters of herbicide performance and use. The Landscape Industry Council of Hawaii conducts an annual conference for the landscape industry and I am a speaker at their annual event. I make annual presentations at local trade shows sponsored by with two distributors of commercial fertilizers and pesticide; Pacific Agricultural Sales and Service and Crop Protection Services-Hawaii. The Pili grass grown at the HIDOT native plant demonstration site has been donated to the Ka Aha Hui Na auao traditional native Hawaiian culture project. They used the Pili for roof construction of traditional structures. TARGET AUDIENCES: My programs servers the weed control needs of landscape and turf managers in Hawaii, weed science graduate student in the Department of Tropical Plants and Soil Science and producers of potted ornamental plants and flowers. I also target scientific peers in Weed Science and Horticultural Science as well as student taking TPSS/PEPS Weed Science 481 in the Fall 2011 semester PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Managers of sport turf that want to renovate their fields have new case study to base their efforts on due on my work at the Aiea Baseball field in 2010-2011. My work presented, in oral seminars and posted online, will change the approach of turf managers during renovations. Now they change from a purely chemical approach to weed control during renovation to one that incorporates fertilization and mowing practices that improve herbicide performance and turf regrowth that provides a safe and attractive playing surface for children.

Impacts
My findings on improving weed control techniques during sport turf renovation have helped turf managers improve the quality of areas they maintain. Good quality sports turf is reflected in not only an ascetically pleasing and functional landscape but in reduced injury due to an uneven playing surface. In late 2010 and early 2011, I worked with Honolulu City and County (HCC) turf and landscape personnel to renovate the Aiea High School base ball field. We were successful in reducing the weed population by more than 90% and provided the community with an improved playing surface for a variety of consumers of this facility. A more important aspect of my work in Aiea was the hands on training for warm season sport turf weed control obtained by HCC maintenance staff and the Aiea High School coaching staff. The knowledge obtained during the renovation will allow both groups to conduct more timely maintenance operations that lead to long term health of the turf and a playing surface that helps to reduce sport injury to children. In the fall semester of 2011 my M.S. graduate student Scott Lukas completed his graduate program. His advance training in Weed Science directly benefits the UH Manoa campus due to his return to service as an Agricultural Technician with teaching assistance responsibility at our Magoon Research and Training Facility on the UH Manoa campus. A Ph.D. graduate student, Orville Baldos, under my supervision is studying the factors (% seed moisture and storage temperature) influencing the dormancy of Pili grass a native Hawaiian grass used for roadside vegetation. Orville's research has revealed that the dormancy period of Pili grass seed can be best overcome at 12-50% moisture levels and storage temperature of 30oC. Also, storage temperatures of 10-20oC can maintain Pili grass seed's physiological status. Taken together these finding will allow for a set of storage conditions that help to eliminate seed dormancy and another set to preserve ready-to-germinate seed for future use. The outcome of this research will provide more stakeholders with access to Pili grass seed that has been primed for more uniform and complete germination. Pili grass seed is in demand in Hawaii by land managers that want to use native Hawaiian plants as filter strips on farms, ground cover on roadway rights-of-way and as construction material for indigenous resident thatch roofs. The Pili grown at my highway demonstration project and in flower development studies has been collected by a native Hawaiian organization for use in thatch roof construction.

Publications

  • Scully, B. T., Nagata, R. T., Sistrunk, D. M., Cherry, R. H., Nuessly, G. S., Kenworthy, K. E., and DeFrank , J. 2011, Registration of Aloha Seashore Paspalum. Journal of Plant Registration 5(1): 1-5.
  • DeFrank, J. 2011. Weed control considerations during the Aiea High School baseball in-field project. Hawaii Landscape: October/November 2011. pp: 16-19. Online: http://www.hidili.com/landscapeIndustryCouncilofHawaii/conferenceProc eedings/001/Conference%20Proceedings.pdf, viewed on 12/01/2011.
  • Baldos, O.C., DeFrank, J., and Sakamoto, G.S. 2011. Improving germination of piligrass (Heteropogon contortus) seeds using liquid smoke flavoring. Poster Session Abstracts of the 2011 ASHS Conference, Waikoloa, HI. Sept. 25-26, 2011. Supplement to HortScience 46(9): S81.
  • DeFrank, J. 2011. An Improved Method of Air Layering Tropical Hardwoods for Forestry, Fruit, and Ornamental Nurseries. Workshop Session Abstracts of the 2011 ASHS Conference, Waikoloa, HI. Sept. 25-26, 2011. Supplement to HortScience 46(9): S312pp: 23.
  • Scott, B. Lukas, DeFrank, J., and Sakamoto, G.S. 2011. The response of weeds and cut stems of the native Hawaiian grass Sporobolus virginicus (l.) Kunth to two forms and two rates of oxadiazon applied as a component of a hydromulch cap in a simulated roadside planting. Oral Session Abstracts of the 2011 ASHS Conference, Waikoloa, HI. Sept. 25-26, 2011. Supplement to HortScience 46(9): S125.
  • DeFrank, J. 2010. Weed control solutions for native Hawaiian plant establishment on roadsides. Pest World 2010, Hawaii Convention Center Oct. 20-23. pp: 17.
  • DeFrank, J. 2010. Aiea Baseball Field Weed Cleanup-2010. http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/deFrankJ/NON_HOMEPAGE_PAGES/Aiea_field_cl eanup_2010.htm#Aiea_Baseball_field_weed_cleanup_-_2010. Posted 01/28/2011.
  • DeFrank, J. 2010. Weed Control Solutions for Native Hawaiian Plant establishment on Roadsides . http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/deFrankJ/NON_HOMEPAGE_PAGES/Native%20Plan ts%20for%20Hawaii%27s%20Roadways.htm. Posted 04/10/2010.
  • DeFrank, J. 2011. An Improved Method of Air Layering Tropical Hardwoods for Forestry, Fruit, and Ornamental Nurseries. http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/deFrankJ/NON_HOMEPAGE_PAGES/ASHS_2011_WOR KSHOP.htm. Posted 09/29/2011.


Progress 10/01/09 to 09/30/10

Outputs
OUTPUTS: During this reporting period I present 6 seminars on weed control in warm season turf, potted ornamental and a general workshop for master gardeners. I provided academic supervision for two graduate students on at the M.S. level and one at the Ph.D. level. Part of my advising requires me to supervise the installation of field experiments that students participate in and incorporate into their thesis work. Two experiments were installed at the Plant Materials Center on Molokai to determine the response of weeds and cut stems of the native Hawaiian grass Aki aki to preemergence herbicides contained in a hydromulch cap. Both of my students traveled with me to Kona to present components of the master's research at the Western Society of Weed Scientist held in Kona in March 2010. I was able to mentor my students on content and presentation skills that helped them prepare to make their presentations to the Western regional meeting of professional weed scientists. All of my public speaking activities are sponsored by private companies or industry organizations that obtain credits toward commercial pesticide applicator's licensing for participants. Thus my seminar presentations not only inform participants of the latest development in weed control issues but also allow them to obtain credits towards their applicator's licensing. In May of 2010 I was invited to a meeting of professional turf grass weed scientist held in Key Largo Florida and sponsored by Bayer Chemical company. At this meeting I was able to discuss my turf grass research with other professionals in the same field and gained valuable information on new tools for control of problematic grassy weeds. I served as a judge for the 2010 CTAHR undergraduate student symposium. This activity provided me with a better understanding of the research conducted by other faculty and gave me insights into mentoring undergraduate students conducting independent research PARTICIPANTS: The U.S. Navy conducts recertification workshops twice a year so that federal employees and active duty service members that handle and apply pesticides can earn continuing education credits to maintain their active position status. I make presentations at both workshops on topics that include weed control in warm season turf and tropical landscapes, my contact is Stephen Lee. Once a year the Pearl City Urban Gardening Center conducts a series of workshop to train Master Gardeners that help to serve the urban horticultural needs of Honolulu, my contact is Jayme Grzebik. I provide a 3 hour workshop on weed control resources during this certification process. At three workshops or trade shows dealing with weed control warm season turf or tropical landscape during the reporting period my oral slide show presentation are of sufficient quality and content to qualify participants for credit toward professional pesticide application licensing, contacts include Jay Deputy-LICH, Marge Chikamoto-Pacific Ag and Reggie Hasegawa-Crop Protection Services. To conduct my research on weed control during the installation and maintenance of native Hawaiian plants on the roadways I maintain a close working relationship with the Hawaii Department of Transportation, contact is Christopher Dacus. The Hawaii DOT has funded my weed control research program and on-site demonstration projects to develop installation and maintenance protocol for incorporation into bid proposals for contracted services. I also work closely with the Honolulu City and County Department of Parks and Recreation to conduct herbicide research on warn season turf and to conduct weed control demonstration projects on sport turf facilities, my contact is Kaipo Bernie. TARGET AUDIENCES: For much of my outreach program the primary target audience includes agricultural producers, state and federal employees that apply herbicides as part of their business or job description. At professional meetings my audience is academic peers and scientist at private corporations dealing with the impact of weeds on agriculture and commercial landscapes. When providing on-campus lectures my audience includes undergraduate and graduate students participating in an agricultural related course. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
During the reporting period a student under my academic supervision (Melinda Moata) completed the requirements for graduation and obtained a Master of Science degree in the department of Tropical Plant and Soil Science. The student returned to her home country of Indonesia and resumed her duties as an agricultural instructor. She has since applied for and has been granted a Fulbright Scholarship and will be returning to my program to start a Ph.D. Program. My former M.S. student (Orville Baldos) was accepted into the department's Ph.D. program to further advance his academic development. Since his graduation in spring of 2009 I have co-authored 1 published manuscript in a referred journal and we are working on a second one now. Under my supervision, the same student was able to compose and a TSTAR grant proposal to partially fund the completion of his PhD studies and 2 years of a post doctoral position. Most of public seminars on weed control are of sufficient quality and content to award participants credit towards professional pesticide application licensing. The Department of Defense uses my service twice a year as part of their recertification program for federal employees that apply pesticides. My outreach effort to stakeholders contributes to the continuing education programs in both state and federal pesticide licensing agencies. In general, my weed controls outputs allow stakeholders to improve their performance as pest control practitioners and enhance their value as employees and managers.

Publications

  • 1.Baldos, O.C., J. DeFrank and G. Sakamoto. 2010. Tolerance of Transplanted Seashore Dropseed to Pre and Post Emergence Herbicides. HortTechnolgy: 20(4):772-777.
  • 2. Baldos, OC, DeFrank, J, Lukas, S and G Sakamoto. Roadside right-of-way areas: An underutilized native groundcover production site for large scale re-vegetation projects in Hawaii. 2010. (Poster presentation: #15, URL: http://www.nativeseed.info/posters.html). National Native Seed Conference, May 17-21, 2010, Cliff Lodge, Snowbird, Utah, USA.
  • 3. Lukas S., J. DeFrank, O. Balos and G. Sakamoto. 2010. The response of weeds and cut stems of sporobolus virginicus (l.) Kunth (a native hawaiian ground cover) to two forms of oxadiazon applied as a component of a hydromulch cap in a simulated planting for roadside establishment. 63rd Annual Meeting of the Western Society of Weed Science, March 8-11, 2010, Waikoloa Beach Marriott, Waikoloa, Hawaii, USA. 2010 Proceedings of the Western Weed Science (63): 59 (abstract #137).
  • 4. Baldos, OC, DeFrank, J and G Sakamoto. Preemergence Herbicide Screening for Transplanted Sporobolus virginicus Plugs, a Native Hawaiian Grass with Roadside Revegetation Potential. 2010. 63rd Annual Meeting of the Western Society of Weed Science, March 8-11, 2010, Waikoloa Beach Marriott, Waikoloa, Hawaii, USA. 2010 Proceedings of the Western Weed Science (63): 58 (abstract #135.
  • 5. Lukas, S., J. DeFrank, O. Baldos and G. Sakamoto. 2010. The response of weeds and cut stems of Sporobolus virginicus (L.) Kunth (a native Hawaiian ground cover) to two forms of oxadiazon applied as a component of a hydromulch cap. 22st Annual CTAHR Student Research Symposium, April 9-10, 2010. University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu.


Progress 10/01/08 to 09/30/09

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Roadside re-vegetation utilizing native groundcovers is a new initiative in Hawaii. To develop establishment and maintenance protocols, large-scale propagation and selective weed control techniques for potential species need to be tested. During this reporting period this program evaluated hydroplanting techniques and screened pre- and post-emergence herbicides for establishing Fimbristylis cymosa and Sporobolus virginicus, tow native Hawaiian ground covers species identified for use roadside erosion control. Hydroplanting trials indicate that F. cymosa can be efficiently established through hydroseeding while S. virginicus can be hydromulched using auxin treated apical cuttings. Oxadiazon and oryzalin can be safely used in transplanted F. cymosa plugs but not seedlings. Fluazifop-p-butyl and aminopyralid can be safely applied in seedlings and mature plants while sulfosulfuron should only be spot sprayed. For S. virginicus, oxadiazon, oxyfluorfen, sulfosulfuron and aminopyralid can be used for transplanted plugs while carfentrazone + MCPA + mecoprop + dicamba and triclopyr should only be spot sprayed. Information gathered from the study has been incorporated into establishment protocols for the two species. An experiment was conducted during spring 2008 to fall 2009 to examine the response of cabbage and zucchini in a native Heteropogon contortus (piligrass) living mulch (LM) system and compare it to a conventional bare ground (BG) system. The results of this study, piligrass LM had: 1) consistently reduced weed biomass up to five times compared to BG, 2) provided habitat for insects, thus it increased total population and biodiversity of insects, and 3) reduced plant and fruit damages due to pests and diseases. Nevertheless, BG yield was five times higher than LM treatment. The piligass LM improved the physical quality of soil by increasing WAS (water aggregate stability). PARTICIPANTS: The Hawaii Department of Transportation was a major participant providing funding and access to highway sites for demonstration and research in the development of native Hawaiian plants for erosion control. The NRCS/USDA has provided funding, plant materials and field research sites to identify safe and effective weed control methods for native Hawaiian seed and vegetative plant production. The Honolulu City and County has provided space on sport and utility fields for turf weed control research. Three graduate students (Orville Baldos, Melinda Moata and Scott Lukas)are participating in research projects that include characterization of a native Hawaiian grass as a living mulch for vegetable crop production and development of establishment protocols for native plants on the roadways. TARGET AUDIENCES: Landscape contractors and turf grass managers are the primary audience for research and outreach seminars on topics dealing with roadside vegetation establishment and weed control in warm season turf. Vegetable farms are targets for no till living mulch research and seminars. Producers of potted ornamentals are targets for research and seminars on IPM practices for weed control in both domestic and exported flower and foliage crops. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
Research results were used to amend Hawaii State Department of Transpiration (DOT) roadside contraction specifications (619 and 641) to include establishment and weed control for two native Hawaiian species. With these amended specifications, the DOT can better prepared bid requests that more accurately describe how these native plants can be successfully established with much improved weed control and shorter establishment period. Outreach seminars were conducted to inform Hawaii's sport and utility turf managers on weed control options available after the EPA imposed ban on MSMA (postemergence grass herbicide). Managers were provided alternatives for difficult to control weeds such as goose grass and love grass. Managers working with seashore paspalum were provided new information on reducing grassy weed problems through NaCl nutrient management.

Publications

  • Baldos, O.C. and J. DeFrank. 2009. Screening of pre-emergence herbicides to improve roadside establishment of transplanted Sporobolus virginicus (L.) Kunth, a native Hawaiian grass. Abstract #91, pg 10. 21st Annual CTAHR Student Research Symposium, April 3-4, 2009. University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu.
  • Moata, M.R.S. and J. DeFrank. 2009. Utilization of piligrass (Heteropogon contortus) as a living mulch for cabbage (Brassica oleracea L. var. Capitata) production. Abstract #44, pg 5. 21st Annual CTAHR Student Research Symposium, April 3-4, 2009. University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu.
  • Baldos, O.C., J. DeFrank and G. Sakamoto, 2009. Effect of pre and post emergence herbicide application timing on hydroseeded Fimbristylis cymosa. 2009 Hawaii Conservation Conference, Hawaii in a changing climate: ecological, cultural, economic and policy challenges and solutions, July 28-30, 2009. Hawaii Convention Center, Honolulu HI.
  • Brosnan, J.T., J. DeFrank, M. Woods and G. Breeden. 2009. Sodium Chloride Salt Applications Provide Effective Control of Sourgrass (Paspalum conjugatum Berg.) in Seashore Paspalum (Paspalum vaginatum Swartz.) Turf. Weed Technology: 23:251-256.


Progress 10/01/07 to 09/30/08

Outputs
OUTPUTS: The outputs for this project involve stakeholder meetings and workshops where weed control strategies and procedures are presented. These stakeholder meetings are described below: 10/03/07: Seminar: Goosgrass Control in Warm Season Turf. Provided to the Department of Defense Pesticide Applicator Recertification Training, 25 people attended. 03/07/08: Seminar and Workshop: Sprayer Calibration. Provided to the Department of Defense Pesticide Applicator Recertification Training, 30 people attended. 04/04/08. Seminar: Establishing Native Hawaiian Plants for Ground Cover Protection on Hawaii's Roadways. Provided to Hawaii Department of Transportation Annual meeting on funded projects. 175 people attended. 05/15/08. Seminar: Weed control in warm season turf. Presented at the UAP 8th. Annual Turf Seminar and Trade Show. 145 people attended. 05/28/08. Two seminars: Weed control options for pre & post emergence control of goosgrass in greens and fairways and Promise & problems with using native grass species for Hawaii roadsides. These two seminars presented at the 2008 LICH Conference & Tradeshow at the Neal S. Blaisdell Exhibition Hall. 85 people attended. 09/26/08. Seminar on: Update on commonly used herbicides in warn season Turfgrass in Hawaii. Presented to Landscape Irrigation installation contractors, 18 people attended. PARTICIPANTS: The primary partner organization in the project is the Honolulu City and County for providing sport turf fields for herbicide testing. The primary contact for work at parks and athletic field on Oahu was Kaipo Bernie. Professional training in the execution of field weed science research includes two graduate students under Dr. DeFrank's supervision; Orville Baldos and Melinda Moata. Both students are full time M.S. graduate students in the Department of Tropical Plant and Soil Science. This project also provided professional development and training to the U.S. Department of Defense and Hawaii stakeholders through 6 seminars or workshops on weed control in turf, landscapes and potted ornamental crops. The total number of people receiving training total 478. A detailed description of these seminar topics and dates is described in other portions of the project report. TARGET AUDIENCES: The target audience for seminars and research on weed control in warm season turf grass are golf course superintendents, managers of parks and athletic fields, landscape installation and maintenance contractors, professional peers (academic colleagues) and chemical companies producing and marketing herbicides. The target audience for weed control in establishing native plants on the roadways for erosion control include the Hawaii State Department of transportation, contractors that install the vegetation and professional peers (academic colleagues) working on similar highway stabilization projects. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
The impact of this project included improved weed control strategies for turf managers of golf courses and youth athletic fields. Goosgrass is a problem weed in Hawaii's warm season turf and represents a significant injury hazard for young people participating in activities conducted at parks and athletic fields. Herbicide studies have identified improved chemical tools for controlling goosgrass and reducing its potential for reinfestation. Safe and effective herbicides have been identified for improved establishment of native Hawaiian ground covers for roadside revegetation. These herbicides will allow for weed free growth of native plants on the roadsides, making them a reservoir for collecting clean seeds and vegetative planting materials for expanded plantings by youth and environmental groups. Improving the establishment of native Hawaiian plants on roadways will help to reduce soil erosion and increase the spread of native Hawaiian germplasm.

Publications

  • Brosnan, J.T., J. DeFrank, M.S. Woods and G.K. Breeden. 2009. Efficacy of Sodium Chloride Salt Applications for Control of Goosegrass (Eleusine indica L.) in Seashore Paspalum (Paspalum vaginatum Swartz) Turf. Weed Technology (accepted).
  • Brosnan, J.T., R.K. Nishimoto and J. DeFrank. 2008. Metribuzin-Resistat goosegrass (Elusine indica L.) in Bermudagrass (Cynodon spp. L.) turf. Weed Technology (In press).
  • Brosnan, J.T. and J. DeFrank. 2008. Purple Nutsedge Control in Turf and Ornamentals. CTAHR Extension Series. L-9.
  • Brosnan, J.T. and J. DeFrank. 2008. Chemical Weed Control Options for Turfgrasses in Hawaii. CTAHR Extension Series. TM-15
  • Baldos, O.C. and J. DeFrank. 2008. The response of Fimbristylis cymosa R. Br. To three methods of hydroplanting. 2008 Hawaii Conservation Conference, July 29-31, 2008. Hawaii Convention Center, Honolulu, HI.
  • Baldos, O.C. and J. DeFrank. 2008. The response of Fimbristylis cymosa (A Native Hawaiian Sedge) to fluazifop-p-butyl and triclopyr, #418. 5th International Weed Science Congress, June 23-27, 2008, Westin Bayshore, Vancouver, Canada.
  • Baldos, O.C. and J. DeFrank. 2008. Assessing three hydroplanting techniques for establishing Fimbristylis cymosa R. Br., a native Hawaiian sedge. 20th Annual CTAHR Student Research Symposium, April 11-12, 2008. University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI.
  • Leary, J.K., Loeffler K., Cho A., DeFrank J., Bresell M. and Litton C. 2008.The residual activities of imazapyr and glyphosate on dormant Pennisetum setaceum (Forssk.) Chiov. (fountain grass). Hawaii Conservation Conference. July 29-31, 2008. Hawaii Convention Center, Honolulu, HI.
  • DeFrank, J. and O.C. Baldos. 2008. Response of 3 native Hawaiian grasses to 5 postemergence grass herbicides, #672. 5th International Weed Science Congress, June 23-27, 2008, Westin Bayshore, Vancouver, Canada.
  • Leary, J. C, Litton, J. DeFrank. 2008. The residual activities of imazapyr and glyphosate on dormant Pennisetum setaceum (Forssk.) Chiov. (Fountain Grass), under arid conditions within a tropical high-elevation landscape in Hawaii, # 251. 5th International Weed Science Congress, June 23-27, 2008, Westin Bayshore, Vancouver, Canada.


Progress 10/01/06 to 09/30/07

Outputs
OUTPUTS: An experiment at 3 growers' farms on potted ornamentals to determine the sensitivity of 3 sequential applications of a granular formulation (Showcase) composed of trifluralin, isoxaben and oxyfluorfen applied at 1 and 2 times the maximum label rate of 111kg/ha. Plants screened for tolerance to Showcase were; Thai Dwarf Ixora (Ixora coccinea), Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia reginae) and two native Hawaii plants Akia (Wikstroemia uva-ursi), and a native hibiscus (Kokio kea, Hibiscus waimeae), African Fern Pine (Nageia falcatus) and Bamboo (Bambusa multiplex). Two experiments were conducted on a golf green and soccer sport turf to identify herbicide combinations and reapplication intervals to improve management of goose grass (Elusine indica) a wide spread and disruptive weed in warm season turf. Two experiments were conducted to determine herbicide performance with several wetting agents and penetrants at the Army Pohakaloa Training Area and Hawaiian Homes high elevation forest lands infested with grassy invasive species (fountain grass and kikuyu grass) A seed nursery was installed on a clover leaf area of the H1 freeway on Oahu to demonstrate the production of a native Hawaiian sedge (Fimbristylus cymosa), a candidate species for erosion control on Hawaiian roadways. Eight weed management seminars were conducted for following shareholders; Honolulu City and County turf maintenance staff, Syngenta and Bayer research scientists, Kahuku vegetable farmers, warm season turf and landscape managers and producers of potted ornamentals for export. A seminar on herbicide use and resistance management was provided to federal employees in the Department of Defense during an annual continuing education workshop required for recertification of landscape workers. An average of 2-3 phone or email consultations per week were conducted to address weed identification and/or weed management needs of home owners, agricultural producers and turf and landscape managers and installers. Two to 3 consultations per week with new and continuing graduate students in the department of Tropical Plant and Soil Science were conducted via email or in person in my academic service roll as Graduate Chairman. Products delivered included a weed identification web site for economically important weeds of Hawaiian agriculture was posted at URL: http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/deFrankJ/Weed_ID_website/index.htm. The audience for this content is students in the Weed Science course and producers that need to identify weeds common to Hawaiian agriculture. Two video programs describing weed control experiments and results for 4 native Hawaiian plants were posted as streaming media at URL: http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/deFrankJ/NON_HOMEPAGE_PAGES/Weed_control_ Native_Hawaiian_Plants.htm. The audience for this content is NRCS staff and environmental organizations that want to produce weed free stands of Native Hawaiian plants for seed production and expansion of stands in conservation areas and roadsides. A video program describing the master's thesis proposal for Orville Baldos was posted at URL: http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/deFrankJ/NON_HOMEPAGE_PAGES/Native Plants for Hawaii's Roadways.htm PARTICIPANTS: Participants in this project included 3 growers of potted ornamentals on the island of Hawaii and they were Glen Bridges of Kurtistown Nursery, Rose Saxby of Puna Certified Nursery and John Rosset of Rosset's Nursery. UH collaborator for potted ornamentals is Andrew Kawabata, CES Hilo. Invasive species research was conducted in cooperation with Dr. James Leary of PEPS, The U.S. Army and Hawaiian Homes Land. Demonstration of the use of native Hawaiian plants for erosion control on Hawaii's roadways was conducted in partnership with the Hawaii Department of Transportation in consultation with Christopher Dacus a landscape architect. Orville Baldos, M.S. graduate student in TPSS and works under Dr. DeFrank's supervision works on project components associated with ground covers for use on roadsides. Corporate contacts for herbicide screening on warm season turf include Chris Olsen of Bayer and Dean Mosdell of Syngenta. Herbicide research on warm season turf grass was conducted at the Ala Wai Golf course and Waipio soccer complex on Oahu. These facilities fall under the administrative control of the Honolulu City and County government. Research posted to the CTAHR website as streaming media was conducted at the Plant Materials center on Molokai, Glenn Sakamoto station manager. The research to screen herbicides on native Hawaiian plants grown for seed production was funded by the USDA/NRCS. Extensive professional training was provided to turf grass managers at trade shows and workshops held on Oahu and Maui. TARGET AUDIENCES: The target audiences for this project include a wide range of shareholders in a variety of crops and growing conditions. Herbicide screening on potted ornamentals is directed to all plant producers across the U.S. that produce the species described in this project report but is mostly directed to Hawaii growers. Turf grass weed control activity is directed to managers of golf courses and commercial landscape managers and installers in Hawaii with relevance to all warm season turf managers in the U.S. Invasive species work addresses the needs of land manager of conservation areas as well as foresters in Hawaii and other tropical areas of the Pacific basin. The Hawaii Department of Transportation and private contractors that install landscapes are the primary audience for work conducted to develop establishment protocols for native Hawaiian ground covers on roadways. Environmental conservation groups and the NRCS are the primary audience for research and outreach for work to identify safe and effective herbicides for seed production of native Hawaiian plants. Vegetable growers, turf managers and producers of potted ornamentals are the audience for the posted website to identify economically important weeds of Hawaiian agriculture.

Impacts
The response of Thai Dwarf Ixora (Ixora coccinea),), Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia reginae) and two native Hawaii plants Akia (Wikstroemia uva-ursi), and a native hibiscus (Kokio kea, Hibiscus waimeae), African Fern Pine (Nageia falcatus) and Bamboo (Bambusa multiplex) to 3 sequential applications of a granular herbicide mixture (trifluralin, isoxaben and oxyfluorfen, trade name Showcase) was determined. The herbicide was very detrimental to the two native Hawaiian plants; all others were not adversely affected. Producers of these ornamental plants now have a new tool for weed control in their crops. Goose grass (Elusine indica) control with foramsulfuron was improved by 25% with the addition of mentholated seed oil and ammonium sulfate to finished spray solutions. The least effective retreatment interval for goose grass control was 0,7 and 34 days with the most effective interval being either 0,18 and 38 or 0,34 and 70 days. Field observations confirm that 2 to 3 nodes of fresh goose grass growth need to be present before a sequential application of foramsulfuron can express maximum effectiveness on golf greens of Tifway 328 Bermuda grass. In common Bermuda grass sports turf, consistently high levels of mature goose grass control was obtained by 4 applications of the tank mix of MSMA and metribuzin (2.2 kg and .2 kg ai/ha, respectively ) spaced 10 to 14 days apart. The results from this study resulted were employed in 2007 for goose grass control on 250 acres of sport turf on the Waipio soccer fields on Oahu. Foramsulfuron (0.04 kg ai/ha) applied twice and diclofop-methyl + metribuzin (0.9 kg and 0.2 kg ai/ha, respectively) applied twice where the next best treatments. Oxadiazon granules (2.2 kg ai/a) applied 2 days after verticutting provided excellent control of goose grass seedlings. Oxadiazon also improved control of mature goose grass injured by previous spray treatments. Field data has not identified any herbicide mixtures with foramsulfuron that provides better goose grass control over treatments containing only foramsulfuron. In high elevation conservation areas where kikuyu grass (Pennisetum clandestinum) is severely limiting the reestablishment of native Koa (Acacia koa,) herbicides sprays of glyphosate and imazapyr (1.3 and 0.6 kg ai/ha, respectively) were applied to determine efficacy and safety to Koa. Glyphosate provide rapid collapse of the kikuyu grass canopy but severely injured Koa seedlings. Kikuyu grass recovered in 8 to 10 weeks. Imazapyr provided a much slower but longer lasting kill of kikuyu grass with little to no injury to Koa seedlings. The land manager in the test area ordered a 10 acre helicopter application of imazapyr over an old pasture area where old stand Koa and kikuyu grass was growing. This large scale application of applied research will help to restore Koa to these high elevation areas.

Publications

  • J.K. Leary, P. G. Scowcroft, J.DeFrank, D. Borthakur. 2007. Influences of herbicide/fertilizer combinations as repeated applications to control invasive stoloniferous kikuyu grass (Pennisetum clandestinum) in abandoned pastures in Hawaii. WSSA Abstract 55:167.
  • J.K. Leary, J. DeFrank, B. Sipes. 2006. Tropical Eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) Production with a Buffelgrass (Pennisetum ciliare L.) Living Mulch System in Hawaii. Biological Agriculture and Horticulture. 24: 105-116.


Progress 10/01/05 to 09/30/06

Outputs
Five potted landscape ornamentals were exposed to either 2 sequential (80 days apart) applications of spray herbicide treatments or granular forms of herbicide to determine crop and weed response. Spray applications were dithiopyr (.22 kg ai/ha) and dithiopyr (.22 kg ai/ha) + isoxaben (1.1 kg ai/ha). Granular formulations applied were Snapshot (a mixture of 2% trifluralin (3.7 kg ai/ha) and .5% isoxaben (1.1 kg ai/ha)) and Showcase (a mixture of 2% trifluralin (3.7 kg ai/ha), .25% isoxaben (.55 kg ai/ha) and .25% oxyfluorfen (.55 kg ai/ha). The potted ornamentals screened for safety were: Manila Palm (Veitchia merrillii), Triangle Palm (Dypsis decaryi), Foxtail palm (Wodyetia bifurcata), Sago Palm (Cycas revoluta) and Cook Pine (Araucari Family). No herbicide applications resulted in a detrimental crop response. Snapshot provided the widest spectrum and longest lasting weed control. Native Hawaii sedge (Fimbristylus cymosa) is a candidate species for roadside ground cover use in Hawaii. Transplants were exposed to two preemergence herbicides: oxadiazon (2.2 and 4.4 kg ai/a) and oryzalin (2.2 and 4.4 kg ai/ha) and mixture of the two. Herbicides were applied at planting and 43 days later. The higher rate of oxadiazon resulted in stunting of sedge growth. Both rates of oryzalin provided for normal growth and good weed control. Transplants of 3 native Hawaiian grass species used for conservation plantings in Hawaii were treated with 5 selective postemergence grass herbicides to determine crop tolerance. The grass species included Pili grass (Heteropogon contortus), Emoloa (Eragrostis variabilis) and Akiaki (Sporobolus virginicus). Herbicides screen for tolerance to these grasses were quizalofop-p (.07 and .09 kg ai/ha), fluazifop-p (.21 and 28 kg ai/ha), sethoxydim (.38 and .52 kg ai/ha), clethodim (20 kg ai/ha and .27 kg ai/ha) and imazapic (.14 and .28 kg ai/ha). Pili grass dry weight was significantly reduced by all herbicides except imazapic. Emoloa and Akiaki dry weight was significantly reduce by all herbicide treatments by 50 to 75%. These data indicate that imazapic would be useful for selective grass and broadleaf weed control in Pili grass. Experiments on common Bermuda grass maintained at soccer field height and Tifway 328 maintained as a putting green were initiated to identify improvement in goosgrass (Eeleusine indica) using foramsulfuron at various reapplication intervals and in mixture with other postemergence herbicides. Goosgrass control was improved when the reapplication interval increase from 14 to 28 days. Foramsulfuron mixed with metribuzin and MSMA reduced longer term control of goosgrass.

Impacts
Showcase granular herbicide has been identified as a new chemical tool for Hawaii's producers of potted ornamentals. Showcase controls many of the problem weeds found in potted ornamentals and is safe on many of the species tested. The production of seed of a native Hawaiian sedge can now be produced with greatly reduced weed pressure if oxadiazon and oryzalin are used at planting over transplants. Commonly available selective grass herbicides can be used to control grassy weeds in native Hawaiian grasses grown for seed and vegetative seed pieces. Improved goosgrass control can be obtained in Bermuda grass sports turf with foramsulfuron when the internal of reapplication increases from 14 to 28 days.

Publications

  • Amjad A. Ahmad, T. Radovich, J. DeFrank and A. Fares. 2006. The influence of legume species on corn growth and leaf chlorophyll levels in mixed-crop system. 18th Annual CTAHR Student Research Symposium. 34(Abstr.), 27pp


Progress 10/01/04 to 09/30/05

Outputs
Revolver (foramsulfuron) is a new herbicide for goosegrass control in warm season turf that was registered for use in Hawaii in 2003. Research was conducted to characterize use factors that could maximize its effectiveness for turfgrass managers in Hawaii. The maximum level of goosegrass control was obtained when the second application of foramsulfuron was delayed 22 days after the first. Reapplication at 7 and 14 days was not as effective. A high level of goosegrass control was also recorded when diclofop (Illoxan) was applied 22 days after an initial treatment of foramsulfuron. In mid-2005 a report from a county agent on Maui indicated that goosegrass had developed a high level of tolerance to foramsulfuron at the Waiehu golf course. This course had a high level of goosegrass infestation that was treated repeatedly over a 2 year period with foramsulfuron. Experimental data was collected on the response of goosegrass to 1 and 4 times the maximum labeled rate of foramsulfuron (45 grams active ingredient/ha) at three locations: on the 12th fairway, outside the service entrance and adjacent to the driving range. The only location to receive repeated foramsulfuron treatments in the previous 2 years was on the 12th fairway. The data clearly support the identification of a high level of goosegrass tolerance to foramsulfuron within the Waiehu Golf course on Maui but not outside of it. After a single application, goosegrass on the 12th fairway had only slight yellowing in the 4X treatment while goosegrass in areas not previously treated with foramsulfuron had injury ratings in the low to mid 90s %. Improving the efficacy and longevity of herbicides was the focus of research with container grown landscape ornamentals. Shredded coconut husks (commercially referred to coir) are commonly used as growth media in potted ornamentals in Hawaii. Coir was fortified with preemergence herbicides that were mixed with a latex surfactant. A mixture of herbicides designed to control the most troublesome weeds in container grown ornamentals in Hawaii was identified to include the maximum labeled rates of oxadiazon, oryzalin and isoxaben. A commercially available spray binder (Bond) that contains synthetic latex was used at 0, 1, & 5% v/v to prolong the retention of herbicides in pots at a biologically active level. Herbicide fortified coir with 1% latex surfactant applied to pots as a surface mulch, doubled the period of weed control over spray applications. Higher levels of the latex surfactant allowed for some weeds to germinate and establish in pots due to excessive binding. Research has expanded to include other crop protection chemicals into coir to achieve a wide range of pest control to include insects, nematodes and diseases.

Impacts
A suggested protocol to improve the effectiveness of foramsulfuron on goosegrass is based on the data and observations presented in this report. Foramsulfuron at 26 oz/a is applied to actively growing goosegrass, a surfactant is recommended for improved uptake. At 14 days after foramsulfuron treatment, apply herbicides with the ability to block the establishment of new goosegrass roots. Common dinitroaniline herbicides classified as mitotic disruptors include; benefin, ethalfluralin, oryzalin, pendimethalin, prodiamine, or pyridazine herbicides like dithiopyr and thiazopyr should be useful when seeking to block root establishment, thus improving foramsulfuron activity. At 20-40 days after the first foramsulfuron application, a second is applied to insure the kill of larger clumps with living tissue at the outer edges. Applying the root inhibiting herbicides after foramsulfuron should eliminate the need for imposed drought stress to maximize effectiveness on goosegrass. The use of coir, fortified with crop protection chemicals, has potential to address several problems associated with the production of container grown ornamentals. Fortified coir will help growers maximize the effectiveness of their pesticides while minimizing nonpoint source pollution due to leaching of pots and subsequent runoff from production sites.

Publications

  • DeFrank, J. and Leary, J.K. 2005. The response of potted orchids to sequential postemergence herbicide applications. In: Proceedings: Hawaii Floriculture Conference, Kahului, HI. eds. K. W. Leonhardt and P. Nakao. pp: 94-97.
  • DeFrank, J. and Leary, J.K. 2005. The response of four anthurium cultivars to five sequential applications of four preemergence herbicides. . In: Proceedings: Hawaii Floriculture Conference, Kahului, HI. eds. K. W. Leonhardt and P. Nakao. pp: 98-100.
  • DeFrank, J. and Leary, J.J.K. 2004. The response of four anthurium (Anthurium andraeanum) cultivars to five sequential applications of four preemergence herbicides. HortScience. 39(4):791.
  • DeFrank J. and Leary, J.J.K. 2004. The response of potted orchids to sequential postemergence herbicide applications in Hawaii. HortScience. 39(4):844-845.
  • DeFrank J. and Leary, J.J.K. 2004. Eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) yields comparison of Managed buffelgrass (Pennisetum ciliarer L.) living mulch systems to a conventional monoculture bare ground system in Hawaii. 39(4):866-867.
  • DeFrank, J. 2005. Zen and the art of turfgrass weed control. Hawaii Landscape. Vol. 9 (4):7-8.