Paspalum Control Without Turf Damage

Why Identification Matters

• Bahia grass is more common in drier, high-traffic lawns, making it more resistant to surface-level post-emergents and mowing. It often requires pre-emergent herbicides and dense turf competition to suppress.

• Dallis grass tends to dominate irrigated or over-fertilized lawns, especially in warm, humid zones, and is more vulnerable to systemic post-emergents due to its deeper root system.

Using the wrong control method—such as applying shallow-acting herbicides to Dallis grass, or over-mowing Bahia—can waste product and allow regrowth.

At POMAIS, we guide our customers through species identification with training resources, active ingredient compatibility charts, and application timing recommendations to help ensure successful and efficient treatment—regardless of the turf type or infestation scale.

Step 1: Manual Removal for Small Infestations

When paspalum infestation is still limited to isolated patches, mechanical removal remains a practical and turf-safe option—especially in residential lawns, ornamental gardens, or chemically sensitive areas. Although labor-intensive, this method helps prevent herbicide exposure to desirable turf species, flowerbeds, or edible plants nearby.

Best Practices for Manual Removal

To increase success and reduce the risk of regrowth:

• Use the right tools: A flat spade, weed knife, or root extraction tool is necessary to dig beneath the rhizome layer.

• Excavate the full root system: Paspalum regenerates from root fragments. Dig at least 10–15 cm deep to ensure complete removal of rhizomes and fibrous roots.

• Dispose of material correctly: Never compost paspalum waste. Instead, seal and discard in garbage to prevent reseeding or reestablishment.

• Backfill with clean soil or turf: Replace removed sections with healthy turf plugs or grass seed to block weed re-entry.

Monitoring and Maintenance

After removal:

• Inspect the area weekly for regrowth, especially during warm, moist conditions.

• Spot-apply post-emergent herbicide if regrowth occurs and chemical use is allowed.

• Maintain healthy turf cover to suppress new seedlings.

Manual control is most effective when integrated with broader preventive and cultural practices, which we’ll cover in a later section. For professional landscapers or property managers maintaining organic-certified spaces, this method is also suitable when herbicide restrictions apply.

At POMAIS, we support turf professionals with integrated weed management strategies that combine mechanical control, selective chemistry, and long-term turf health improvements—ensuring you choose the right approach based on site scale and turf sensitivity.

Step 2: Selective Herbicide Application

For moderate to severe paspalum infestations—especially in Bermuda, couch, or kikuyu turf systems—manual removal is often impractical. In such cases, the application of selective herbicides becomes essential. These formulations are designed to target grassy weeds like Bahia grass and Dallis grass without damaging desirable turfgrass varieties when applied correctly.

Post-Emergent Herbicides for Established Paspalum

Apply post-emergent herbicides during active growth stages, typically from late spring through summer. These products penetrate foliage and translocate through the plant, attacking the weed at the crown and root level.

Recommended active ingredients:

• MSMA (Monosodium Methanearsonate): Commonly found in products such as Militate MSMA or Monopoly MSMA. Targets both Bahia and Dallis grass effectively.

• DSMA (Disodium Methanearsonate): Used in DSMA Selective Herbicide for turf areas where MSMA restrictions apply.

Key considerations:

• Best suited for use on Bermuda, couch, and kikuyu lawns

• Avoid use on buffalo grass, ryegrass, or fescue, which may suffer phytotoxicity

• Requires repeat applications every 7–14 days until control is achieved

At POMAIS, we supply high-purity MSMA and DSMA technical formulations for professional turf care markets, along with full label support and usage guidance based on your region’s turf species.

Pre-Emergent Herbicides to Prevent Spread

Paspalum reproduces aggressively via seeds. To prevent seasonal outbreaks, apply pre-emergent herbicides in early spring or late summer, before soil temperatures rise above 55°F (13°C).

Effective active ingredients:

• Prodiamine

• Oxadiazon

• Indaziflam

Benefits of pre-emergents:

• Forms a chemical barrier in the upper soil layer

• Inhibits paspalum seedling establishment for up to 3 months

• Ideal for preventive programs in golf courses, athletic fields, and high-traffic lawns

Ensure uniform application and proper irrigation post-treatment to activate the pre-emergent layer. POMAIS offers granular and liquid pre-emergent formulations with options for OEM branding and combination with turf nutrients (weed-and-feed systems).

Caution with Glyphosate

While glyphosate is one of the most widely used and effective non-selective herbicides on the market, its use in turf management—especially for Paspalum control—must be approached with extreme caution. Glyphosate does not differentiate between weeds and desirable turfgrass. When misapplied, it will kill or severely damage all green plant tissue it contacts, including your primary lawn species.

When Glyphosate May Be Appropriate

There are only a few scenarios in which glyphosate can be safely and strategically used for paspalum control:

• Spot Treatment: For isolated paspalum clumps within high-value turf, glyphosate can be applied directly using a sponge applicator, brush, or shielded sprayer to limit contact with surrounding grass.

• Renovation or Reseeding Projects: If the turf is scheduled for complete renovation, glyphosate can be used to kill existing vegetation (including paspalum) before re-turfing or reseeding.

• Hardscape Areas: Sidewalks, driveways, fence lines, or other non-turf zones where paspalum is growing in cracks or edges.

Recommended Products and Formulations

At POMAIS, we provide a full range of glyphosate-based formulations, including:

• Glyphosate 41% SL

• Glyphosate 62% SL

• High-load 75.7% SG formulations for professional use

All products are available with:

• Surfactant compatibility guidance

• OEM branding support

• Application best practices for spot treatments

Usage Precautions

• Do not broadcast glyphosate over an active lawn unless full vegetation kill is intended.

• Apply only on calm days to avoid spray drift.

• Use a dye marker when spot treating to help visualize treated areas and avoid overlap.

Glyphosate has its place in integrated weed management, but within turfgrass environments, it should be seen as a last resort or precision tool, not a general-use solution.

Liquid vs. Granular Herbicides: Which Should You Choose?

Choosing the right formulation format—liquid or granular—can significantly impact application efficiency, weed control outcomes, and user experience. Whether you are a turf care contractor, facility manager, or landscape supplier, understanding the strengths of each format allows you to match products to your environment, labor capacity, and turfgrass species.

Liquid Herbicides: Precision and Speed

Advantages:

• Fast absorption and translocation through foliage and soil

• Precise coverage for irregular or high-value turf zones

• Easily combined with surfactants or tank-mix partners

• Preferred format for post-emergent applications targeting mature paspalum infestations

Best use scenarios:

• Sports turf, golf courses, and large-area commercial lawns

• Professional sprayer operators with access to calibration equipment

• Situations requiring fast visible effects and systemic kill

At POMAIS, we offer liquid MSMA, DSMA, and glyphosate formulations with clear usage protocols and tank-mix compatibility support.

Granular Herbicides: Simplicity and Consistency

Advantages:

• User-friendly application with minimal drift risk

• Ideal for pre-emergent weed control

• Often combined with fertilizer to support turf health while preventing weed germination

• No need for complex mixing or spraying equipment

Best use scenarios:

• Residential lawns, HOA landscapes, and low-risk institutional grounds

• Fertilizer + herbicide combination programs ("weed-and-feed")

• Clients or workers with limited spray application training

POMAIS supplies a range of granular pre-emergent herbicides based on prodiamine, oxadiazon, and indaziflam—customizable for different turf types and seasonal windows.

Key Decision Factors