Nutsedge Problems in Mid-South Cotton: Scope and Control Strategies

Stephen H. Crawford


 
ABSTRACT

As part of a Beltwide effort to elucidate the scope of nutsedge problems in cotton and current control strategies, a questionnaire was prepared and distributed to research and extension cotton weed control specialists from the states of Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee. The questions and summaries of the responses obtained are listed below:

Question: Is purple nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus) a significant weed problem in cotton in your state?

Response: Purple nutsedge was identified as a weed problem in 3 of the 5 states - Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. It is not considered a significant weed in cotton in Missouri or Tennessee.

Question: Compared to the worst weed in your state, rated at 10 on a scale of 1 to 10, how does purple nutsedge compare?

Response: Compared to annual morningglories in each of the 3 states rated at 10, purple nutsedge was rated at an average of 1.7. ranging from 1 to 2.

Question: Is yellow nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus) a significant weed problem in cotton in your state?

Response: Yellow nutsedge was identified as a significant weed problem in cotton In all Mid-South states.

Question: How does yellow nutsedge compare to the worst cotton weed in your state?

Response: Compared to each state's worst weed (johnsongrass or prickly sida in Tennessee, annual morningglories in other states) rated at 10, yellow nutsedge was rated at an average of 2.2, with a range of 1 to 4.

Question: What are the current control strategies for purple nutsedge in your state?

Response: Purple nutsedge is controlled most often by preemergence or preplant incorporated applications of Zorial and/or postemergence applications of MSMA or DSMA. Rotations and tillage are seen as having additional beneficial effects.

Question: What are the current control strategies for yellow nutsedge control in your state?

Response: Yellow nutsedge is controlled most often by preemergence or preplant incorporated applications of Zorial, preemergence applications of Dual, and/or postemergence applications of MSMA or DSMA.

Question: Are you aware of herbicides or herbicide practices not currently labeled for use in cotton that have potential for nutsedge control in your area?

Response: None of the scientists queried expressed an awareness of new control technology for nutsedges.

Question: With current trends in cotton production, do you expect nutsedges to become more of a problem?

Response: Respondents from Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee expressed concern that nutsedges, especially purple, may increase where limited tillage systems are implemented.



Reprinted from 1987 Proceedings: Beltwide Cotton Production Research Conferences pp. 349 - 350
©National Cotton Council, Memphis TN

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Document last modified Sunday, Dec 6 1998