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   Cyperus rotundus (sedge)     
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         Management Information

    For a detailed account of the managment of Cyperus rotundus please read: Cyperus rotundus (Purple Nutsedge) Management Information. The information in this document is summarised below. In agricultural fields, both purple and yellow nutsedge species reproduce primarily by underground tubers (Wills 1987). Management of nutsedges should focus on depleting tuber reserves and suppressing tuber multiplication (Bangarwa et al. 2008).

    Preventative Measures: A Risk assessment of Cyperus rotundus for the Pacific region was prepared by Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER); the result is a score of 13, meaning the species is likely to be of high risk in the Pacific.

    Manual Control: Approximately 95% of purple nutsedge tubers are confined to the top 12 cm of soil (Siriwardana and Nishimoto 1987, in Bangarwa et al. 2008), making shallow tillage an effective method of reducing tuber multiplication. Tillage should be done at frequent intervals (eg: three weekly) (Benedixen and Stroube 1977, McGiffen et al. 1997, in Bangarwa et al. 2008).

    Physical control: Nutsedges are capable of penetrating mulch with a thickness of four times that currently used in commercial vegetable production (Henson and Little 1969, in Webster 2005a). Plastic mulches are used in commercial vegetable gardens for suppressing weeds by providing a physical barrier (Bangarwa et al. 2008). Soil solarization, a method of increasing soil temperature using polyethylene mulch, has proved effective against many weeds when using clear film (Horowitz et al. 1983, in Bangarwa et al. 2008).

    Chemical Control: Glyphosate and paraquat are commonly used nonselective herbicides for controlling weeds in vegetable rows, especially those systems with mulch-covered beds. Glyphosate is translocated through chains of purple nutsedge tubers, which reduces tuber viability and production (Doll and Piedrahita 1982; Zandstra et al. 1974, in Webster et al. 2008).

    Biological Control: The taxonomic isolation of the species from crop plants of importance makes it an ideal target for biocontrol (Ellison & Barreto 2004). Most of the biological control work undertaken so far has involved insect natural enemies with little success (Julien and Griffiths 1998, in Ellison & Barreto 2004). The mycoherbicide Dactylaria higginsii is a biological control fungus against purple nutsedge; repeated applications of D. higginsii provided 90% purple nutsedge control (Kadir et al. 2000, in Yandoc et al. 2006).

    Use of Allelopathic Plants: The use of allelopathic plants for weed management is an important tool in organic production systems and is gaining importance in the absence of synthetic fumigants. Plants belonging to the Brassicaceae family are known to exhibit allelopathic weed suppression (Boydston & Hang 1995, Krishnan et al. 1997, Vaughn & Boydston 1997, in Bangarwa et al. 2008). Turnip is a glucosinolate-producing Brassicaceae that has been used for weed suppression in bell pepper (Norsworthy et al. 2007).

    Integrated Management: Methyl bromide has been a critical component nutsedge management (Julian et al. 1998, Ragsdale & Wheeler 1995, Schneider et al. 2003, in Webster 2005a). However, the use of methyl bromide as a pre-plant pest management tool was (scheduled to be) abolished in 2005 (Webster 2005b). This increases the complexity of pest management. Future pest management systems will need to incorporate a combination of tactics to manage nutsedges in crop production (Cardina et al. 1999, Patterson 1998, in Webster 2005a).    



         Location Specific Management Information
    Arkansas
    Cyperus rotundus is listed as a 'Noxious weed' in Arkansas (USDA-NRCS, 2008).
    California
    Cyperus rotundus is listed as a 'B list (noxious weed)' in California (USDA-NRCS, 2008).
    Mauritius
    Biocontrol:Athesapeuta cyperi Marshall (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) was released in 1981 as a biocontrol agent against C. rotundus and probably failed to establish (Fowler et al. 2000). Larvae feed internally and adults feed externally on foliage (Fowler et al. 2000).
    Oregon
    Cyperus rotundus is listed as a '"A" designated weed and Quarantine weed' in Oregon (USDA-NRCS, 2008).
    Pakistan
    Glyphosate is the most widely used herbicide for the control of purple nutsedge although, under certain conditions, glyphosate application in cotton may lead to fruit shedding and yield reduction (Viator et al. 2004, in Iqbal Cheema & An 2008). There is no selective post emergence herbicide available in Pakistan to control purple nutsedge in cotton crops. Moreover, the cost of using herbicides to control weeds is increasing and is rapidly becoming beyond farmers’ affordability (Iqbal Cheema & An 2008). The use of chemicals for weed control is under community challenge due to concerns with human and environmental health (Duke et al. 2001, in Iqbal Cheema & An 2008). Therefore, alternatives for safe, cheap and effective control of purple nutsedge in cotton crops are urgently required in Pakistan (Iqbal Cheema & An 2008).
    Palau
    The use of chickens and geese to control nutgrass Cyperus rotundus has also been promoted in Palau and the United States (PestNet 2009).
    Washington
    Cyperus rotundus is listed as a 'Quarantine weed' in Oregon (USDA-NRCS, 2008).

         Management Resources/Links

    1. Bangarwa, S.K., Norsworthy, J.K. Jha, P., Malik, M. 2008. Purple nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus) management in an organic production system, Weed Science 56(4): 606-613.
    2. Brecke, B.J., Stephenson, D.O., Unruh, J. B. 2005. Control of purple nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus) with herbicides and mowing, Weed Technology 19(4): 809-814.
    3. Charudattan, R. & A. Dinoor. 2000. Biological control of weeds using plant pathogens: accomplishments and limitations, Crop Protection 19: 691-695.
    4. Chase, C.A, Stall, W.M., Simonne, E.H., Hochmuth, R.C., Dukes, M.D. & Weiss, W. 2006. Nutsedge control with drip-applied 1,3-dichloropropene plus chloropicrin in a sandy soil, HortTechnology 16(4): 641-648.
    5. Cullen, J.M., Briese, D.T. Kriticos, D.J., Lonsdale, W.M., Morin, L. and Scott, J.K. eds, 2004. Proceedings of the XI International Symposium on Biological Control of Weeds. CSIRO Entomology, Canberra, Australia, 648 pp.
    6. Czarnota, Mark A. and S. Wayne Bingham. 1997. Control of yellow and purple nutsedges (Cyperus esculentus and Cyperus rotundus) in turfgrass with MON-12051, Weed Technology 11 (3): 460 - 465.
            Summary: Abstract: Field studies were conducted from 1993 to 1995 to evaluate MON-12051 for turfgrass tolerance and control of yellow and purple nutsedges. The availability of herbicides for selective control of these weeds in turfgrass is limited. A sulfonylurea compound, MON-12051, has recently been developed for selective control of the nutsedges in turfgrass. When MON-12051 was applied at 0.07 to 0.14 kg ai/ha, the injury to Kentucky bluegrass, tall fescue, bermudagrass, and zoysiagrass was slight, with a maximum of 10% injury. At these rates, MON-12051 outperformed both bentazon and imazaquin in controlling yellow and purple nutsedges. Averaged over all tests 6 wk after treatment, yellow nutsedge control with MON-12051 was 83%. Control averaged 44% during the same period when treated with bentazon, whether applied once at 2.24 kg ai/ha or twice at 1.12 kg ai/ha. Purple nutsedge control averaged 96% when treated with MON-12051 in Kentucky bluegrass, while control was 42% with imazaquin applied at 0.19 and 0.43 kg ai/ha.
    7. E.N. Rosskopf, C.B. Yandoc, J.B. Kadir & R. Charudattan. 2004. Evaluation of Dactylaria higginsii as a component in an integrated approach to pest management. In: Proceedings of the XI International Symposium on Biological Control of Weeds (eds Cullen, J.M., Briese, D.T. Kriticos, D.J., Lonsdale, W.M., Morin, L. and Scott, J.K.), pp. 351–352. CSIRO Entomology, Canberra, Australia.
    8. Ellison, C.A. & R.W. Barreto. 2004. Prospects for the management of invasive alien weeds using co-evolved fungal pathogens: a Latin American perspective Biological Invasions 6: 23-45.
    9. Fowler, S.V., S. Ganeshan, J. Mauremootoo & Y. Mungroo. 2000. Biological Control of Weeds in Mauritius: Past Successes Revisited and Present Challenges. In: Proceedings of the X International Symposium on Biological Control of Weeds 4-14 July 1999, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana, USA. Neal R. Spencer [ed.]: 43-50.
    10. Iqbal, J., Cheema, Z.A.& An, M. 2008. Purple Nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus L) management in cotton with combined application of Sorgaab and S-Metolachlor, Pakistan Journal of Botany 40(6): 2383-2391.
    11. IUCN/SSC Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG)., 2010. A Compilation of Information Sources for Conservation Managers.
            Summary: This compilation of information sources can be sorted on keywords for example: Baits & Lures, Non Target Species, Eradication, Monitoring, Risk Assessment, Weeds, Herbicides etc. This compilation is at present in Excel format, this will be web-enabled as a searchable database shortly. This version of the database has been developed by the IUCN SSC ISSG as part of an Overseas Territories Environmental Programme funded project XOT603 in partnership with the Cayman Islands Government - Department of Environment. The compilation is a work under progress, the ISSG will manage, maintain and enhance the database with current and newly published information, reports, journal articles etc.
    12. Morales-Payan, J.P., R. Charudattan, W.M. Stall & J.T. DeValerio. 2004. Assessment of Dactylaria higginsii as a postemergence bioherbicide for purple nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus) in bell pepper (Capsicum annuum). In: Proceedings of the XI International Symposium on Biological Control of Weeds (eds Cullen, J.M., Briese, D.T. Kriticos, D.J., Lonsdale, W.M., Morin, L. and Scott, J.K.), pp. 351–352. CSIRO Entomology, Canberra, Australia.
    13. Norsworthy, J.K., Malik, M.S., Jha, P. & Oliveira, M.J., 2006. Effects of isothiocyanates on purple (Cyperus rotundus L.) and yellow nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus L.), Weed Biology & Management 6(3): 131-138.
    14. Ou, Z., M. Leigh, T., Stephen H., Schroeder, J. & Libbin, J. 2008. Nutsedge Counts Predict Meloidogyne incognita Juvenile Counts in an Integrated Management System, Journal of Nematology 40< JUN 2008. 99-108.
    16. Pemberton, R.W. 2000. Predictable risk to native plants in weed biological control, Oecologia 125: 489-494.
    17. Phatak, S.C., M.B. Callaway & C.S. Vavrina. 1987. Biological Control and Its Integration in Weed Management Systems for Purple and Yellow Nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus and C. esculentus), Weed Technology 1(1): pp. 84-91.
    18. Ratiarson, O. & Falisse, A. 2006. New ploughing effects on Cyperus rotundus L. tubers in New Caledonia. I. Effects of rotary hoe and circular spike harrow, Tropicultura 24(3): 169-174.
    19. Ratiarson, O. & Falisse, A. 2007. New ploughing effects on Cyperus rotundus l. tubers in New Caledonia. II. viability of half-tubers, Tropicultura 25(1): 12-15.
    20. Rogers, H. H.; Runion, G. B.; Prior, S. A.; Price, A. J.; Torbert, H. A.; Gjerstad, D. H. 2008. Effects of elevated atmospheric CO2 on invasive plants: Comparison of purple and yellow nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus L. and C. esculentus L.). Journal of Environmental Quality. 37(2). MAR-APR 2008. 395-400.
    21. Santos, B.M. 2009. Drip-applied metam potassium and herbicides as methyl bromide alternatives for Cyperus control in tomato, Crop Protection 28: 68-71.
    22. Santos, B.M., J.P. Gilreath, T.N. Motis, M. von Hulten & M.N. Siham. 2006. Effects of Mulch Types and Concentrations of 1,3 Dichloropropene plus Chloropicrin on Fumigant Retention and Nutsedge Contro, HortTechnology 16(4).
    23. Suwunnamek, U. & C. Parker. 1975. Control of Cyperus rotundus with glyphosate: the influence of ammonium sulphate and other additives, Weed Research 15: 13-19.
    24. Travlos, I.S., Economou, G., Kotoulas, V.E., Kanatas, P.J., Kontogeorgos, A.N. & Karamanos, A.I. 2009. Potential effects of diurnally alternating temperatures and solarization on purple nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus) tuber sprouting, Journal of Arid Environments 73(1): 22-25.
    25. Warren Jr. & H.D. Coble. 1999. Managing Purple Nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus) Populations Utilizing Herbicide Strategies and Crop Rotation Sequences' L.S., Weed Technology 13: 494-503.
    26. Webster, T.M. 2005a. Patch Expansion of Purple Nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus) and Yellow Nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus) with and without Polyethylene Mulch, Weed Science 53(6): 839-845.
    27. Webster, T.M. 2005b. Mulch type affects growth and tuber production of yellow nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus) and purple nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus) , Weed Science 53(6): 834-838.
    28. Webster, T.M., T.L. Grey, J.W. Davis & A.S. Culpepper. 2008. Glyphosate Hinders Purple Nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus) and Yellow Nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus) Tuber Production, Weed Science 56: 735-742.
    29. Yandoc, C.B., Rosskopf, E.N., Pitelli, R.L.C.M, Charudattan, R. 2006. Effect of selected pesticides on conidial germination and mycelial growth of Dactylaria higginsii, a potential bioherbicide for purple nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus), Weed Technology 20(1): 255-260.

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