In recent years, doveweed [Murdannia nudiflora (L.) Brenan] has become a pressing concern in Florida and nearby regions due to its rapid expansion and challenging eradication. Despite being considered a warm-season annual broadleaf, its grass-like foliage often enables it going unnoticed within the canopy, especially at early growth stages. Such camouflage allows for quick proliferation and rapid invasion leading to dense mats outcompeting desired turfgrass sward. Limited reliable herbicides exist, and their efficacy declines once the plants get established. Hence, there is a demand for options capable of controlling mature populations. This study assessed the efficacy of mesotrione at 0.37 L ha-1 or 0.58 L ha-1, simazine at 1.10 L ha-1 or 1.83 L ha-1, and their combinations for the late-season control of established doveweed in bermudagrass ‘CR-01’ maintained as a golf course fairway or athletic field at West Florida Research and Education Center in Jay, FL. When used independently, mesotrione alone provided inconsistent control, never surpassing 50%, whereas simazine alone yielded a maximum control of 80%) was achieved within 2 to 6 weeks after the initial treatment, contingent upon the rate, with higher rates yielding a more rapid response. Moreover, the control remained persistent until the conclusion of the study. Severe phytotoxicity was evident in all mesotrione-containing treatments, yet the turf recovered to acceptable levels within 4 weeks following each application.
