Turf Tips
02/13/2009

MSMA still available but use is limited

Though MSMA is rarely used by professionals anymore in cool-season turf, it is an excellent postemergent crabgrass herbicide for zoysia and bermudagrass grown in the southern half of Indiana. It is especially useful during sprigging or seeding operations because it is safe on seedlings. Following is a brief summary of the current status and the full article can be found at http://commodities.caes.uga.edu/turfgrass/georgiaturf/Industry/Articles/MSMA_Task_Force_2008pdf.pdf

On January 16, 2009, the MAA Research Task Force (Task Force) signed an agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which permits the continued use of MSMA.  The details of the agreement and the conditions set forth for the various uses of the product are as follows:

• Golf courses:
  One broadcast application will be allowed on newly constructed courses. Application on existing courses will be limited to spot treatment (100 sq ft per spot), not to exceed 25% of the total course in one year.
• Sod farms:
  Two broadcast applications will be allowed per crop.  A 25 foot buffer strip will be required for those fields bordering permanent water bodies.
• Highway rights-of-way:
  Two broadcast applications will be allowed per year.  A 100 foot buffer strip will be required adjacent to permanent water bodies.
• Other MSMA Uses
  Certain uses of MSMA will not be permitted after December 31, 2010.  Those uses are:
  • Residential turf
  • Forestry
  • Non-bearing fruit and nuts
  • Citrus, bearing and non-bearing
  • Drainage ditch banks, railroad, pipeline, and utility rights of way, fence rows, storage yards and similar non-crop areas
  • Bluegrass, fescue and ryegrass grown for seed (this use may be continued till 2013).
  • Though sports fields are not specifically listed in the agreement, communications indicate they’ll fall under this category and use will not be permitted after Dec 31, 2010. Furthermore, I’m seeking clarification if this is a “stop sale” agreement or a “stop use” agreement.

MSMA uses in Florida, other than for cotton, will cease and registrants will delete the uses of the related products DSMA, CAMA and DMA (cacodylic acid and its sodium salt), by end of 2010.

Zac Reicher, Professor/Turfgrass Extension Specialist

Send corrections, suggestions, and comments to biehlj@purdue.edu