Breeden, Gregory K.

Brosnan, James T.

English

University of Tennessee, Knoxville: Trace

University of Tennessee, Knoxville TRACE: Tennessee Research and Creative Exchange Commercial Horticulture UT Extension Publications 9-29-2011 W267 White Clover Gregory K. Breeden James T. Brosnan Follow this and additional works at: https://trace.tennessee.edu/utk_agexcomhort  Part of the Agricultural Science Commons, and the Horticulture Commons Recommended Citation "W267 White Clover," Gregory K. Breeden and James T. Brosnan, W267 , https://trace.tennessee.edu/utk_agexcomhort/38 The publications in this collection represent the historical publishing record of the UT Agricultural Experiment Station and do not necessarily reflect current scientific knowledge or recommendations. Current information about UT Ag Research can be found at the UT Ag Research website. This Turf is brought to you for free and open access by the UT Extension Publications at TRACE: Tennessee Research and Creative Exchange. It has been accepted for inclusion in Commercial Horticulture by an authorized administrator of TRACE: Tennessee Research and Creative Exchange. For more information, please contact trace@utk.edu. W267White Clover (Trifolium repens)Gregory K. Breeden, Extension Specialist – Turfgrass Weed ScienceJames T. Brosnan, Ph.D., Assistant Professor – Turfgrass Weed SciencePlant SciencesIntroductionWhite clover (Trifolium repens) is a perennial broadleaf weed found in both warm- and cool-season turf. There are numerous clover species, but white clover is the most common species found in turfgrass. White clover can persist at most mowing heights and in both areas of full sun to partial shade. A leguminous weed, white clover is commonly found in areas of low nitrogen fertility. Legumes are plants that have the ability to fix (i.e., obtain) nitrogen from the atmosphere; thus, white clover can persist in areas that have not been fertilized enough to sustain dense, vigorous turf growth. While not one of the more difficult-to-control broadleaf weeds in Tennessee, it is often perceived as one of the most persistent. White Clover IdentificationWhite clover is a prostrate, spreading, perennial legume that spreads from stems and stolons that root at the nodes (Figure 1). It can found in clusters or mats throughout the year, but grows most vigorously in spring and fall. White clover leaves are arranged in a trifoliate structure; three oval to elliptical-shaped leaflets comprise a single trifoliate leaf (Figure 2). Leaves often have a white watermark that partially encircles the base of each leaflet. Leaves are also slightly toothed along the margins. White clover produces circular white flowers (sometimes with a pink hue) on long stems that appear during the spring and fall (Figure 3). Figure 1. White clover (Trifolium repens) in turfFigure 2. White clover (Trifolium repens) leaves White Clover Control OptionsCultural PracticesThe best defense against any weed infestation is maintaining a dense, vigorous stand of turfgrass. Growing conditions that favor turf often discourage the growth of white clover. Increasing nitrogen fertility and reducing soil moisture will help create an environment better-suited for turfgrass growth and less conducive for white clover. Additionally, soil test regularly and apply nutrients according to soil test recommendations. While cultural practices can be used to help discourage white clover infestations, they will not provide complete control. Herbicide applications will be required for complete eradication.Herbicide OptionsThere are no preemergence herbicide options for control of white clover. Numerous herbicide options exist for postemergence control of white clover. Herbicides that contain three or more phenoxy (or phenoxy-type) herbicides can be used to control white clover in established turf. Herbicides containing the active ingredients fluroxypyr, triclopyr or quinclorac have performed well in research at the University of Tennessee. Fluroxypyr can be found in herbicides such as Spotlight® (fluroxypyr) and Escalade II® (fluroxypyr, 2,4-D and MCPP), while quinclorac can be found in herbicides such as Drive XLR8® (quinclorac) and Solitare® (quinclorac and sulfentrazone). Most of these herbicides can be used on both warm- and cool-season turfgrasses grown throughout Tennessee.Figure 3. White clover (Trifolium repens) flowers1.	 Product	Name	 Active	Ingredients	 Rate/ac	 Turf	Species2.	 Blindside	 metsulfuron	+	sulfentrazone	 3.25-10	oz.	 Kentucky	Bluegrass,	Tall	Fescue,	Bermudagrass,			 	 	 	 Zoysiagrass,	Centipedegrass3.	4.	 Celsius	 thiencarbazone	+	iodosulfuron	+	dicamba	 2.5-3.75	oz.	 Bermudagrass,	Zoysiagrass,	Centipedegrass5.	6.	 Confront	 triclopyr	+	clopyralid	 1-2	pts.	 Kentucky	Bluegrass,	Fine	Fescue,	Tall	Fescue,	Perennial			 	 	 	 Ryegrass,	Bermudagrass,	Zoysiagrass,	Centipedegrass7.	8.	 Corsair	 chlorsulfuron	 1-5.33	oz.	 Kentucky	Bluegrass,	Fine	Fescue,		Bermudagrass,	9.	 	 	 	 Zoysiagrass,	Centipedegrass10.	11.	 Drive	XLR8	 quinclorac	 2	qts.	 Kentucky	Bluegrass,	Fine	Fescue,	Tall	Fescue,	Perennial			 	 	 	 Ryegrass,	Bermudagrass,	Zoysiagrass12.	13.	 Escalade	II	 2,4-D	+	fluroxypyr	+	dicamba	 2-3	pts.	 Kentucky	Bluegrass,	Fine	Fescue,	Tall	Fescue,	Perennial			 	 	 	 Ryegrass,	Bermudagrass,	Zoysiagrass14.	15.	 Katana	 flazasulfuron	 0.5-3	oz.	 Bermudagrass,	Zoysiagrass,	Centipedegrass16.	17.	18.	 Manor	 metsulfuron	 0.125-1	oz.	 Kentucky	Bluegrass,	Fine	Fescue,	Bermudagrass,			 	 	 	 Zoysiagrass,	Centipedegrass19.	20.	 Millennium	Ultra	2	 2,4-D	+	clopyralid	+	dicamba	 2-3	pts.	 Kentucky	Bluegrass,	Fine	Fescue,	Tall	Fescue,	Perennial			 	 	 	 Ryegrass,	Bermudagrass,	Zoysiagrass21.	22.	 Momentum	fx2	 2,4-D	+	triclopyr	+	fluroxypyr	 3-4	pts.	 Kentucky	Bluegrass,	Fine	Fescue,	Tall	Fescue,	Perennial			 	 	 	 Ryegrass,	Bermudagrass,	Zoysiagrass,	Centipedegrass23.	Table 1. Postemergence herbicides for white clover (Trifolium repens) controlW267   10/11   11-0159 Programs in agriculture and natural resources, 4-H youth development, family and consumer sciences, and resource development.University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture and county governments cooperating.UT Extension provides equal opportunities in programs and employment.Many of the sulfonylurea herbicides also control white clover in warm-season turf, including chlorsulfuron (Corsair®), flazasulfuron (Katana®) and trifloxysulfuron (Monument®). Metsulfuron can also be used for white clover control. Metsulfuron can be applied alone (Manor®) and in combination with other herbicides such as sulfentrazone (Blindside®). See Table 1 for a complete list of herbicides active against white clover. Regardless of the herbicide option chosen, follow-up applications may be needed for complete control.Final ThoughtsIncorporating improved cultural practices with timely herbicide applications will provide long-term white clover control. Multiple herbicides options exist for effective control of white clover in turf. Always refer to the product label for specific information on proper product use, tank-mix compatibility and turfgrass tolerance. Mention of trade names or commercial products in this publication is solely for the purpose of providing specific information and does not imply recommendation or endorsement by the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture. For more information on turfgrass weed control, visit the University of Tennessee’s turfgrass weed science website, http://tennesseeturfgrassweeds.org.Table 1. Postemergence herbicides for white clover (Trifolium repens) control (continued)24.	 Monument	 trifloxysulfuron	 0.53	oz.	 Bermudagrass,	Zoysiagrass25.	26.	 Onetime	 quinclorac	+	MCPP	+	dicamba	 64	oz.	 Kentucky	Bluegrass,	Fine	Fescue,	Tall	Fescue,	Perennial		 		 	 	 	 Ryegrass,	Bermudagrass,	Zoysiagrass27.	28.	 Powerzone	 carfentrazone	+	MCPA	+	MCPP		 2-4	pts.	 Kentucky	Bluegrass,	Fine	Fescue,	Tall	Fescue,	Perennial		 		 	 +	dicamba	 	 Ryegrass,	Bermudagrass,	Zoysiagrass29.	30.	 Q-4	 quinclorac	+	sulfentrazone	+	2,4-D		 7-8	pts.	 Kentucky	Bluegrass,	Fine	Fescue,	Tall	Fescue,	Perennial		 		 	 +	dicamba	 	 Ryegrass,	Bermudagrass,	Zoysiagrass	(Dormant)31.	32.	 Solitare	 quinclorac	+	sulfentrazone	 16-32	oz.	 Kentucky	Bluegrass,	Fine	Fescue,	Tall	Fescue,	Perennial		 		 	 	 	 Ryegrass,	Bermudagrass,	Zoysiagrass,	Centipedegrass33.	34.	 Speedzone	 carfentrazone	+	2,4-D	+	MCPP		 3-5	pts.	 Kentucky	Bluegrass,	Fine	Fescue,	Tall	Fescue,	Perennial		 		 	 +	dicamba	 	 Ryegrass,	Bermudagrass,	Zoysiagrass35.	36.	 Spotlight	 fluroxypyr	 0.67-2.5	pts.	 Kentucky	Bluegrass,	Fine	Fescue,	Tall	Fescue,	Perennial		 		 	 	 	 Ryegrass,	Bermudagrass,	Zoysiagrass,	Centipedegrass37.	38.	 SquareOne	 carfentrazone	+	quinclorac	 8-18	oz.	 Kentucky	Bluegrass,	Fine	Fescue,	Tall	Fescue,	Perennial		 		 	 	 	 Ryegrass,	Bermudagrass,	Zoysiagrass,	Centipedegrass39.	40.	 Surge	 sulfentrazone	+	2,4-D	+	MCPP		 3-4	pts.	 Kentucky	Bluegrass,	Fine	Fescue,	Tall	Fescue,	Perennial		 		 	 +	dicamba	 	 Ryegrass,	Bermudagrass,	Zoysiagrass41.	42.	 Three-way	Selective,		 2,4-D	+	MCPP	+	dicamba	 Product-	 Product-Dependent43.	 Trimec	Classic,			 	 Dependent		 Trimec	Southern,	Triplet,																	 Others	 	 	 	44.	 Turflon	Ester	 triclopyr	 0.5-1	qt.	 Kentucky	Bluegrass,	Tall	Fescue,	Perennial	Ryegrass45.	 		 	 	1.	 Product	Name	 				Active	Ingredients	 Rate/ac	 Turf	Species

W267 White Clover

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W267 White Clover

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