Skip to main content
ARS Home » Southeast Area » Tifton, Georgia » Crop Protection and Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #138450
Title: NUTSEDGE (CYPERUS SPP.) ERADIATION: IMPOSSIBLE DREAM?

Author
item WEBSTER, THEODORE

Submitted to: National Nursery Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/1/2002
Publication Date: 8/1/2003
Citation: Webster, T.M. 2003. Nutsdege (Cyperus spp.) eradiation: Impossible dream? In:Riley, L.E., Dumroese, R.K., Landis, T.D. National Proceedings: Forest and Conservation Nursery Associations, 2002, Ogden, UT. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Proceedings RMRS-P-28:21-25.

Interpretive Summary: Concerns over ozone depletion have resulted in the scheduled phase out of methyl bromide use in 2005. Methyl bromide is currently the industry standard for insect, plant pathogen, nematode, and weed control in broad range of crops, from vegetables to cut flowers to pine seedlings. In many plant production scenarios, once methyl bromide applications have ceased, purple and yellow nutsedge have become significant problems due to their tolerance of many herbicides and their prolific production of energy-rich tubers. Instead of independently researching nutsedge management in each of these diverse crops, sharing knowledge concerning nutsedge biology, ecology and management may allow us to efficiently find viable solutions to this problem. This paper is a brief review of some of the knowledge of purple and yellow nutsedge biology, ecology, and management in agronomic and vegetable crops.

Technical Abstract: The elimination of methyl bromide use will affect a broad range of crops, from vegetables to cut flowers to pine seedlings. In many plant production scenarios, once methyl bromide applications have ceased, nutsedges have become significant problems due to their tolerance of many herbicides and their prolific production of energy-rich tubers. Instead of independently researching nutsedge management in each of these diverse crops, sharing knowledge concerning nutsedge biology, ecology and management may allow us to efficiently find viable solutions to this problem. This paper is a brief review of some of the knowledge of purple and yellow nutsedge biology, ecology, and management in agronomic and vegetable crops.