Weed Science (2003) 51, 1010-1015

Theodore M. Webster (2003)
High temperatures and durations of exposure reduce nutsedge (Cyperus spp.) tuber viability
Weed Science 51 (6), 1010-1015
Abstract: Soil solarization has been proposed as an alternative to methyl bromide for controlling nutsedges. Little is known, however, about the relationship between soil solarization and nutsedge tuber viability. Combinations of elevated temperatures and durations of exposure were evaluated for their effect on purple nutsedge and yellow nutsedge tuber viability and new tuber production in growth chamber studies. Estimates of the duration of exposure at each temperature that reduced nutsedge growth parameters 50% (TT₅₀) were supplied by log-logistic regression analysis. Nutsedge tuber viability was reduced when temperatures were > 45 C. Relative to purple nutsedge, yellow nutsedge tuber viability had smaller TT₅₀ values for 45, 50, and 55 C. Tuber viability TT₅₀ at 60 C was similar for both nutsedges. The TT₅₀ for production of new purple nutsedge tubers at 50 C was larger than that for yellow nutsedge. However, there were no differences between species in TT₅₀ values for new tuber production at higher temperatures. With sufficient durations of exposure, both purple and yellow nutsedge tubers were killed at temperatures > 50 C. However, application of these data to field situations in Georgia may be limited using present technology because the soil temperature cannot be raised to high enough levels for acceptable solarization effects.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Theodore M. Webster

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
control - general

---

Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Cyperus rotundus (weed)		U.S.A. (SE)