Can flaming be performed as selective weed control treatment in turfgrass?

Warm season species are the most suitable species for turfgrass in Mediterranean conditions but can suffer weed competition after transplanting. Flame tolerance of Cynodon dactylon and Paspalum vaginatum, during the first 5 weeks of development, was tested for selective flaming treatments. The plants were grown in a greenhouse and transplanted in 30 cm long 23.5 cm wide and 5 cm deep pots, containing peat based substrate. Four plants were hand transplanted in each pot. The thermal treatments were performed using a test bench equipped with a belt conveyor driven by an electric engine, a 25 cm wide prismatic burner and an LPG feeding group that allowed to operate with different values of pressures and speeds. Digital images were analysed with an automated procedure with the aim to assess crop canopy one week after treatments. Crop biomass was assessed at the end of the cycle. Cynodon dactylon was the most sensitive species showing on average a 50% reduction of the canopy using around 15 kg ha-1 of LPG, a maximum biomass loss of 75% with one treatment and 100% with two or more treatments. Paspalum vaginatum appeared more tolerant showing on average a 50% reduction of the canopy at about 30 kg ha-1 of LPG, a maximum biomass loss of 65% with one treatment and 100% with two or more treatments. However, selective flaming could represent a possible option to perform weed control in warm-season turfgrasses.