Goosegrass (Silver Crabgrass) (Eleusine indica): Identification & Selective Herbicide Matrix
Quick Agronomic Summary
Topramezone (Pylex) at 1 to 1.5 fl oz/A with MSO or Fenoxaprop (Acclaim Extra) kills Goosegrass in cool-season lawns between 65°F and 85°F.
- Diagnostic Marker 1: Flattened, prostrate rosette with a prominent whitish to silvery center
- Diagnostic Marker 2: Folded vernation with dark green, smooth, fibrous blades
- Diagnostic Marker 3: Zipper-like seedhead spikes arranged in 2 to 6 terminal segments
What herbicide selectively kills Goosegrass in turf?
Topramezone (Pylex) at 1 to 1.5 fl oz/A with MSO or Fenoxaprop (Acclaim Extra) kills Goosegrass in cool-season lawns between 65°F and 85°F.
Quinclorac does not control Goosegrass. For Bermudagrass turf, use Metribuzin or Revolver, or apply pre-emergent Prodiamine or Dithiopyr 2 to 3 weeks after crabgrass timing as Goosegrass germinates at warmer soil temperatures (60°F–65°F).
When should you treat Goosegrass?
Apply pre-emergents in late spring when soil temperatures reach 62°F, and spray post-emergents when tillers are small (1 to 4 tillers) in early summer.
Mature Goosegrass plants form thick tough crowns that resist herbicides. Relieving soil compaction with core aeration significantly reduces re-infestation.
EPA-Registered Herbicides Labeled for Goosegrass (Silver Crabgrass)
The table below compares all selective herbicides in our database that control Goosegrass (Silver Crabgrass), including active ingredient groups, application temperature limits (°F), and surfactant requirements.
| Brand Name & EPA Reg. | Active Ingredient & WSSA Group | Temp Window (°F) | Surfactant & Mixing Protocol | Where to Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tenacity EPA Reg. 100-1267 |
Mesotrione 40% Group 27 (HPPD Inhibitor) |
55°F – 85°F Rainfast: 6h |
Always apply with Non-Ionic Surfactant (NIS) at 1 tsp (5 mL) per gallon of water for post-emergent applications. Causes temporary white bleaching on susceptible weeds and turf tips. | Check Price at DoMyOwn View on Amazon |
| Acclaim Extra EPA Reg. 432-950 |
Fenoxaprop-p-ethyl 6.59% Group 1 (ACCase Inhibitor) |
60°F – 85°F Rainfast: 1h |
Add Non-Ionic Surfactant (NIS) at 0.5 tsp per gallon only when targeting mature multi-tiller Goosegrass or Japanese Stiltgrass. Never tank-mix with 2,4-D (causes antagonism). | Check Price at DoMyOwn View on Amazon |
| Pylex Herbicide EPA Reg. 7969-327 |
Topramezone 29.7% Group 27 (HPPD Inhibitor / Pyrazolone) |
55°F – 85°F Rainfast: 1h |
Must be applied with Methylated Seed Oil (MSO) at 1 to 1.5 tsp per gallon of water. Tank-mixing with Triclopyr Ester reduces white bleaching and speeds up Bermudagrass and Goosegrass mortality. | Check Price at DoMyOwn View on Amazon |
| Barricade 4FL (Prodiamine 65 WDG) EPA Reg. 100-1139 |
Prodiamine 40.7% (or 65% WDG) Group 3 (Microtubule Assembly Inhibitor / Dinitroaniline) |
45°F – 90°F Rainfast: 0h |
Pre-emergent soil barrier: do NOT use foliar surfactant. Must be watered in with 0.5 inches of irrigation or rainfall within 14 days of application to activate. | Check Price at DoMyOwn View on Amazon |
Turfgrass Compatibility Matrix for Goosegrass (Silver Crabgrass) Herbicides
Always verify that your chosen herbicide is safe for your specific lawn grass before broadcast spraying:
| Herbicide | KBG | Tall Fescue | Ryegrass | Bermuda | St. Aug | Zoysia | Centipede | Bahia |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tenacity | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | AVOID ACTIVELY GROWING | SOD PRODUCTION ONLY | DAMAGE RISK | SAFE | AVOID |
| Acclaim Extra | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | AVOID | AVOID | SAFE | AVOID | AVOID |
| Pylex Herbicide | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | AVOID | AVOID | DAMAGE RISK | SAFE | AVOID |
| Barricade 4FL (Prodiamine 65 WDG) | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE |
How to Distinguish Goosegrass (Silver Crabgrass) from Lookalike Weeds
| Lookalike Species | Key Botanical & Diagnostic Difference |
|---|---|
| Crabgrass | Crabgrass has a green center and hairy leaves, whereas Goosegrass has a distinct silvery-white compressed center and thrives in compacted high-traffic soil. |