Tribute Total is a powerful, post-emergent, selective herbicide formulated for warm-season turf.
It controls a broad spectrum of weeds and is effective at removing overseeded ryegrass from Bermudagrass and Zoysiagrass, making it versatile for various turf applications.
Contents
Active Ingredient
Tribute Total Herbicide contains three active ingredients: thiencarbazone-methyl (9.9%), foramsulfuron (19.8%), and halosulfuron-methyl (30.8%).
These three active ingredients work together to stop weeds from growing. They block an important enzyme in the weeds called ALS (acetolactate synthase). This enzyme helps weeds make special proteins they need to grow and survive.
When the enzyme is blocked, the weed can’t make these proteins and stops growing. After some time, the weed dries out and dies.
How fast it works?
After you apply the herbicide, weed growth stops within hours.
You’ll usually see yellowing and browning after about a week. Full weed death can take 1 to 4 weeks, depending on temperature. The process is faster in warmer weather.
Where to apply it
You can use Tribute Total on many types of turf areas, both commercial and residential. It is suitable for use on golf courses (but not on greens or overseeded tees), as well as lawns, sports fields, cemeteries, parks, campgrounds, recreational areas, roadsides, school grounds, and sod farms.
Weeds Controlled
This herbicide controls annual and perennial grasses such as dallisgrass, sedges, kyllingas, goosegrass, crabgrass, doveweed, Virginia buttonweed, and other grassy and broadleaf weeds.
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Rate (oz/A) | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dallisgrass (seedling) | Paspalum dilatatum | 3.2 | Apply to young, actively growing plants |
| Dallisgrass (multi-tiller) | Paspalum dilatatum | 3.2 + repeat | Make a second application 4–6 weeks later |
| Goosegrass | Eleusine indica | 3.2 | Best control at early growth stages |
| Virginia Buttonweed | Diodia virginiana | 3.2 | Use with MSO or NIS adjuvant |
| Kyllinga spp. | Kyllinga spp. | 3.2 | Multiple applications may be required |
| Common Name | Scientific Name |
|---|---|
| London rocket | Sisymbrium irio |
| Plantain, Buckhorn | Plantago lanceolata |
| Plantain, Paleseed | Plantago virginica |
| Ryegrass – Volunteer or “Clumpy” | Lolium spp. |
| Shepherdspurse | Capsella bursa-pastoris |
| Speedwell, Corn | Veronica arvensis |
| Texas toadflax | Nuttallanthus texanus (Linaria canadensis var. texana, Linaria texana) |
| Barley, Little | Hordeum pusillum |
| Carpetweed (Indian chickweed) | Mollugo verticillata |
| Chickweed, Common | Stellaria media |
| Chickweed, Mouseear | Cerastium vulgatum |
| Clover, Hop | Trifolium spp. |
| Clover, Rabbitfoot | Trifolium arvense |
| Clover, White | Trifolium repens |
| Common vetch | Vicia sativa |
| Cudweed | Gnaphalium, Pseudognaphalium, and Gamochaeta spp. |
| Cutleaf evening primrose | Oenothera laciniata |
| Dandelion, Carolina false | Pyrrohopappus carolinianus |
| Fescue, Tall | Schedonorus phoenix (Festuca arundinacea) |
| Florida pusley | Richardia scabra |
| Hairy bittercress | Cardamine hirsuta |
| Henbit | Lamium amplexicaule |
| Knawel | Scleranthus annuus |
| Common Name | Scientific Name |
|---|---|
| Cocklebur, Common | Xanthium strumarium |
| Doveweed | Murdannia nudiflora |
| Fleabane, Philadelphia | Erigeron philadelphicus |
| Mallow, Venice | Hibiscus trionum |
| Passionflower, Maypop | Passiflora incarnata |
| Pigweed, Redroot | Amaranthus retroflexus |
| Pokeweed, Common | Phytolacca americana |
| Radish, Wild | Raphanus raphanistrum |
| Ragweed, Common | Ambrosia artemisiifolia |
| Ragweed, Giant | Ambrosia trifida |
| Smartweed, Pennsylvania | Polygonum pensylvanicum |
| Sunflower, Common | Helianthus annuus |
| Velvetleaf | Abutilon theophrasti |
| Bahiagrass (suppression) | Paspalum notatum |
| Buttonweed, Virginia | Diodia virginiana |
| Carolina Geranium | Geranium carolinianum |
| Crabgrass, Large (Hairy crabgrass) | Digitaria sanguinalis |
| Crabgrass, Smooth | Digitaria ischaemum |
| Dallisgrass | Paspalum dilatatum |
| Dollarweed (Pennywort) | Hydrocotyle spp. |
| Goosegrass | Eleusine indica |
| Kyllinga | Kyllinga spp. |
| Nutsedge, Yellow | Cyperus esculentus |
| Nutsedge, Purple | Cyperus rotundus |
| Parsley-piert | Aphanes microcarpa (Alchemilla microcarpa) |
| Spurge, Garden | Chamaesyce hirta (Euphorbia hirta) |
| Spurge, Spotted | Chamaesyce maculata |
| Woodsorrel, Yellow | Oxalis stricta |
Application Methods
Tribute Total works best when the spray mix has a pH close to 6.
If the pH is higher, use a buffer. Use at least 10 gallons (38 liters) of water per acre when spraying broadly. In dense weed patches or tough conditions, increase the spray volume up to 60 gallons (227 liters) per acre.
Don’t forget to use the proper adjuvant listed on the label for maximum effectiveness.
Application Rates
| To Treat 1 Acre (oz/Acre) |
To Treat 1,000 Square Feet | Comments | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tribute Measuring Spoon | oz/1,000 sq ft | ||
| 1 | 1 ml | 0.023 | |
| 2 | 2 ml | 0.046 | |
| 3 | 3 ml | 0.069 | |
| 3.2 | 3.2 ml | 0.073 | Single Broadcast Application Maximum |
| 6.4 | 6.4 ml | 0.147 | Yearly Maximum |
The maximum single application rate is 3.2 oz/acre (about 90.7 grams per hectare).
The maximum annual application rate is 6.4 oz/acre (about 181.4 grams per hectare).
Adjuvants
When using this herbicide, it’s important to combine it with spray adjuvants for effective weed control.
However, before applying it to a large area, you should first test the adjuvants on a small section, as some may affect desirable turfgrasses.
Together with the herbicide you should mix in 0.25% to 0.5% v/v of a nonionic surfactant (NIS) with at least 80% active ingredients. But make sure it doesn’t contain organosilicone. Don’t go over 1 quart per acre (approximately 2.34 liters per hectare), as it could harm your turf.
If you prefer not to use NIS, you can go with 0.5% to 1% v/v of a methylated seed oil (MSO) that includes at least 80% methylated seed oil and 10% or more emulsifier. If you’re using a different MSO blend, test it on a small patch before applying it across the whole area.
Avoid using crop oil concentrates (COCs), COC-MSO mixtures, or refined vegetable oils with this herbicide. They’re not recommended and could reduce effectiveness or damage your turf.
For better results, you can add ammonium sulfate (AMS). In humid areas, use 1.5 to 3 pounds per acre (1.68 to 3.36 kg/ha) of spray-grade AMS. In dry areas, try urea ammonium nitrate (UAN) at 1.5 to 2 quarts per acre (approximately 3.5 to 4.7 liters per hectare) instead.
If you’re spraying at higher volumes, increase the amount of NIS or MSO within the recommended range to match.
And if you’re dealing with hard water, be sure to include AMS or UAN in your mix to keep the herbicide working effectively.
Tank Mix Partners
Some of the tank mix partners for this herbicide include Specticle, Ronstar, Illoxan, and Sencor. When using Tribute Total in a tank mix, always follow the most restrictive label directions and test compatibility before use.
Mixing Instructions
Before you start, make sure your spray equipment is clean and properly adjusted. Check the tank, filters, and nozzles to be sure there’s no leftover product inside.
Also, you have to prepare and wear the right personal protective equipment when preparing and spraying the solution. When you mix and handle it, you should have long-sleeved shirt and long pants, chemical-resistant gloves, shoes and socks, and protective eyewear. When you spray, you should have a similar PPE as above, but eyewear might not be required unless there is a risk of spray contact like windy conditions.
- Start filling your spray tank with about one-quarter to one-half of the total amount of water you plan to use.
- Turn on the agitation system and keep it running while you go through the next steps. If you don’t have an agitation system, you can continue stirring manually.
- Add Tribute Total into the tank. After it’s fully mixed, keep adding water until you reach the final amount you need.
- If you’re mixing other products with Tribute Total, there’s a certain order you should follow. First add products like wettable powders (WP) or water-dispersible granules (WG). Then, you can add dry flowables (DF) and flowables (F). All these can be followed by emulsifiable concentrates (EC) and then by soluble powders (SP) or suspension concentrates (SC).
- Add your spray adjuvant and any liquid fertilizer you want to include. Then finish filling the tank with the rest of the water.
- Keep the mix moving the whole time you’re spraying to make sure the spray stays even and effective.
After you mix the spray, use it within 48 hours. Waiting longer can cause it to break down and become less effective.
Important Notes Before Mixing with Other Products
If you plan to mix Tribute Total with other chemicals, do a small test first.
You can perform a small test by mixing a sample (about 0.5 to 1 quart / 0.5 to 1 liter) in a clean container, using the same ratios you plan to use in your tank. Then, wait 5 to 15 minutes and check for issues like clumping, separation, or color changes. If you notice any of these signs, do not use the mixture.
Always read the labels and safety instructions for every product you mix. Follow the most strict directions among all products in your mix.
How to Apply It
To get good, even weed control, you need to make sure your spray covers the area properly.
The herbicide label recommends using spray nozzles and pressure that produce medium-sized droplets, as coarse droplets may reduce drift but can also affect coverage.
You can’t apply this product by air or through any type of irrigation system.
You also need to consider the weather before applying it. Check the forecast and choose a day when it’s not too windy and no rain is expected. If it rains within 3 hours after spraying, the herbicide might not be effective, and you may need to apply it again.
Another thing you need to be careful about is timing. You should only spray weeds when they are actively growing. Older, tougher weeds might not respond as well. Avoid spraying if there is heavy dew, fog, mist, rain, or if the weeds are under stress from drought.
Don’t use it if your turf is already damaged from other herbicides. Also, never spray when the wind might carry the herbicide onto other plants or crops, as it could harm them.
How to apply it next to sensitive grasses
If you need to apply the herbicide near sensitive grasses, then you should be extra careful to avoid harming them. This herbicide can affect cool-season grasses, like bentgrass or ryegrass, which are often found near warm-season turf (for example, on golf courses). To protect nearby sensitive grasses, follow these tips during the first 48 hours after spraying:
- Let the treated area dry completely before allowing any foot traffic or mowing near it.
- If there is dew on the turf, water the area lightly (about 0.1 to 0.2 inches/ 2.5 to 5 mm) before people or equipment move onto the cool-season grass. Be careful not to water too much, as this can make the herbicide less effective.
- If it’s not possible to let the area dry or water lightly, leave a 15-foot (about 4.5 meters) untreated buffer zone between the treated area and the sensitive grasses.
- Only spray Tribute Total when the soil is not fully wet or soaked. Avoid spraying on saturated soil, as this increases the chance of the herbicide moving into areas you want to protect.
EPA Registration Number
The EPA registration number of for the Tribute Total is: 432-1519.
Daniel is an experienced farmer and agricultural technician specializing in soil management, irrigation systems, crops management, and the safe and effective use of herbicides, pesticides, insecticides, fertilizers, and other agricultural chemicals. 