Annual bluegrass (Poa annua) is the most problematic winter weed of lawns in Georgia. Plants have a light green color, coarse leaf texture, and produce unsightly seedheads. Annual bluegrass germinates in fall, overwinters in a vegetative state, and resumes active growth in spring. Competitive growth of populations causes stand thinning of desirable turfgrasses that may predispose lawns to invasion by summer annual weeds, such as crabgrass (Digitaria spp.). Annual bluegrass typically dies out by May in Georgia, but cool temperatures in spring and regular irrigation may extend survival of populations into early summer. Annual bluegrass is the most problematic winter weed of lawns in Georgia. Turf managers have experienced difficulty controlling annual bluegrass due to the spread of biotypes with resistance to pre- and post-emergence herbicides. This publication covers annual bluegrass identification, establishment, and cultural control for lawns. The development, detection, and control of herbicide-resistant annual bluegrass is also discussed.
Status and Revision History
Published on Nov 17, 2016
Published with Full Review on Apr 04, 2024