Skip to main content
ARS Home » Southeast Area » Tifton, Georgia » Crop Protection and Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #250048
Title: Temperature variation effect on purple nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus) tuber sprouting

Author
item WALLACE, R.D. - University Of Georgia
item GREY, T.L. - University Of Georgia
item Webster, Theodore
item VENCILL, W.K. - University Of Georgia

Submitted to: Weed Science Society of America Meeting Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/1/2010
Publication Date: 6/1/2010
Citation: Wallace, R., Grey, T., Webster, T.M., Vencill, W. 2010. Temperature variation effect on purple nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus) tuber sprouting. Weed Science Society of America Meeting Abstracts. Abstact #0-342.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Until recently, high-value vegetable production in the Southeast US used methyl bromide to control a multitude of pests, including weeds. In the absence of methyl bromide, control of nutsedges has become problematic. A greater understanding of the factors that regulate the sprouting of nutsedges from tubers will assist in managing these weeds. Experiments were conducted to determine the effect of diurnal temperature variation on cumulative sprouting of purple nutsedge tubers. Tubers were placed on a thermogradient table in petri dishes with moistened germination paper. Experimental units accumulated the same growing degree days (GDD) with five levels of diurnal termperature variation: 0 C (constant 28.5 C), 4 C (26 C for 8 h to 30 C for 16 h), 9 C (23 C for 8 h to 32 C for 16 h), 15 C (19 C for 8 h to 33 C for 16 h), and 23 C (13 for 8 h to 36 C for 16 h). Tuber sprouting was evaluated daily for eight days. Parameter estimates were calculated by nonlinear regression using an exponential growth equation. Data analysis indicated that there were no detectable differences in parameter estimates among treatments. Comparing the cumulative sprouting of purple nutsedge tubers for all temperature variations, there was no significant difference between constant and alternated. The tubers held at a constant temperature (29 C) had a maximum cumulative sprouting of 88%. The diurnal variations of 4, 9, 15, and 23 C had maximum cumulative sprouting rates of 92, 92, 90, and 90, respectively.