Torpedograss (Panicum repens): Identification & Selective Herbicide Matrix
Quick Agronomic Summary
Quinclorac (Drive XLR8) at maximum rates selectively suppresses Torpedograss in Bermudagrass and Zoysia lawns.
- Diagnostic Marker 1: Stiff, hard, sharp, torpedo-like pointed rhizome tips that punch through sod and weed fabrics
- Diagnostic Marker 2: Linear, flat or folded pale blue-green blades with fine hairs on upper surface
- Diagnostic Marker 3: Open, loose, panicle-type seedhead with branches pointing upward
How do you kill Torpedograss without killing your lawn?
Quinclorac (Drive XLR8) at maximum rates selectively suppresses Torpedograss in Bermudagrass and Zoysia lawns.
Torpedograss is nearly impossible to remove selectively from St. Augustine or Centipede without killing the turf. Multiple Quinclorac applications with MSO suppress rhizomes in Bermuda.
When to spray Torpedograss?
Apply in late spring and summer during vigorous active growth, repeating after 21 days.
Never cultivate or till soil infested with Torpedograss as chopped rhizome fragments spread the infestation.
EPA-Registered Herbicides Labeled for Torpedograss
The table below compares all selective herbicides in our database that control Torpedograss, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drive XLR8 EPA Reg. 7969-272 |
Quinclorac 18.92% Group 4 (Synthetic Auxin / Quinoline Carboxylic Acid) |
60°F – 85°F Rainfast: 1h |
Requires Methylated Seed Oil (MSO) surfactant at 1.5 tbsp (0.75 fl oz) per gallon of water for effective cuticle penetration on multi-tiller crabgrass. | Check Price at DoMyOwn View on Amazon |
Turfgrass Compatibility Matrix for Torpedograss Herbicides
Always verify that your chosen herbicide is safe for your specific lawn grass before broadcast spraying:
How to Distinguish Torpedograss from Lookalike Weeds
| Lookalike Species | Key Botanical & Diagnostic Difference |
|---|---|
| Bermudagrass | Torpedograss has thick, pointed, bullet-hard rhizomes and a waxy blue-green hue, whereas Bermudagrass has wiry surface stolons and finger-like seedheads. |