Smutgrass Control: How To Get Rid of Smutgrass

Smutgrass is an aggressive bunchgrass that causes serious problems on ranges and pastures. It is most notably prevalent in Florida but also has spread to Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas. Smutgrass is Native to tropical Asia which explains its tolerance for drought and thriving among warm conditions without needing moisture.

Smutgrass produces seeds from May through the summer throughout the Southeast. Mechanical control is not a good option in eliminating Smutgrass as it can actually increase its seed production.

Smutgrass brings no nutritional value and is unpalatable to cattle. Cows do not like to eat it and so when it begins to overtake an area, animals overgraze the more desirable grasses thus allowing Smutgrass to thrive and spread even more.

If Smutgrass is growing on your landscape, we can help. The following DIY treatment guide below was developed by our lawn care experts and will show exactly what to do to remove this weed from your lawn using our professional herbicide recommendations. Follow the step-by-step instructions and you are guaranteed to eliminate Smutgrass quickly and affordably.

Identification

Smutgrass is a perennial warm-season grass that grows in tufts which can reach around 3 feet in height. There are two main species of Smutgrass which are most common: small Smutgrass and giant Smutgrass. The distinguishing characteristic which can help you identify this plant is their slender, erect stems that have seedheads which look similar to rattails.

Use our description and image above to help you to identify Smutgrass on your lawn. If you are having trouble with identification, contact us and we will properly ID the plant for you as well as give you the best product recommendations for control.

Inspection

Where to Inspect

Smutgrass can be a problem in pastures, flatwoods, waste areas, prairies, fields, turf, and roadsides. It generally forms dense clumps in open sites of poor, compacted compact soils, but may occur elsewhere in open sites.

What To Look For

Slender, erect stems of grass bunched together that may or may not have black smut fungus on it.

Treatment

Smutgrass can be a headache to hand pull and is largely ineffective. Small patches may be mechanically removed by hand, although this method is labor-intensive. The best method by far is the use of herbicides.

A pre-emergent before Smutgrass seeds have germinated is your best bet in controlling the weed. If Smutgrass is already growing on your lawn, however, you can use Glyphosate and spot treat your lawn to suppress the weed.

Step 1: Measure and Mix Glyphosate 4

Calculate the square footage of the treatment area to determine how much Glyphosate 4 you need. To do this, you will need to measure and multiply the area length times width (length x width = square footage). For handheld sprayer mixing, Glyphosate varies depending on the concentration level (1/2% to 10%). You may need to adjust the rate of application depending on the texture of the soil. On coarse-textured sandy soils, a lower rate is preferred. A higher rate is recommended on soils that are fine in texture, such as that of clay loams.

For general spraying use the 1% concentration at 1.33 oz. in a gallon of water to treat 1000 sq. ft. So for example, if you are treating a 2,500 square foot area, you would need to mix 3.325 fl. oz. in 2.5 gallons of water.

Mix the appropriate amount of Glyphosate into your sprayer with the correct amount of water. Agitate the sprayer and you are ready to spray.

Adding a surfactant to your pesticide may be a good idea that may help increase control of Smutgrass by combating surface tension. Use Nanotek Surfactant per gallon of finished spray solution.

Another good idea, especially on large ranges and pastures is to utilize a Spray Pattern indicator to mark areas of your lawn that you have already treated with herbicide to avoid over-spraying. Use Vision Pro Dye at a rate of 0.6 to 1 fl. oz per gallon.

Step 2: Mix and Apply Post-Emergents

Spray the Glyphosate over the Smutgrass, making sure that you use a fan nozzle spray setting for uniform coverage. Spray to wet but not to the point of runoff. You may need to reapply after 8 weeks in order to get complete control.

The best time to apply post-emergent herbicides is when the weeds are actively growing. For many areas where Smutgrass typically grows, it is in May and June when rainfall occurs more frequently. Other areas may do better spraying in July or August right in the middle of summer. What matters most when applying products to apply Smutgrass is to lay out an application when it is expected to rain because the chemical tends to have better root uptake.

Prevention

After you have eliminated Smutgrass from your property, you need to implement culture practices and apply pre-emergent to prevent their return. If you keep your lawn or pasture healthy with proper mowing, watering and fertilization, there will be very little room for this stubborn grass to grow.

For pre-emergent prevention of weeds, we recommend using Barricade. Barricade is not specifically labeled for smutgrass, but it contains the highly effective active ingredient Prodiamine which controls and prevents seeds from sprouting. Depending on your turfgrass type, Barricade can be applied at a rate from 1.5 pounds to 4 pounds per 1,000 sq. ft. (read the label to find the proper rate for your turf type). Measure the square footage of your lawn to determine how much Barricade you will need.

Once you have measured the appropriate amount based on your calculations, load the Barricade granules at the right calibration setting into a hand or push spreader and then apply the granules until your lawn is covered evenly to get a uniform application. A push spreader is preferred if you have a large property to spread the granules on while a hand spreader, like the Plantmates Scatterox, is better for more precision and control over where you want to spread the granules. After broadcasting the granules, you should then water in and activate them with at least 0.5 inches of water.

As always with pre-emergents, timing is key or the product will not successfully keep the Smutgrass from growing. Lay this out in the spring before you see any of the Smutgrass. Continue laying out pre-emergent during the spring and fall to keep Smutgrass from making a comeback.

Key Takeaways

• Smutgrass is a tough to control perennial grass and a carrier of black smut fungus, which can do some serious damage on your desired vegetation.
• Our top products to treat Smutgrass is Barricade for Pre-emergent control and Glyphosate 4 for post-emergent control.
• To prevent a return of the weed, implement a solid lawn maintenance routine (mowing, watering, fertilizer) that promotes a thick, healthy turf.