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Aspects of the growth and development of Cyperus rotundus under arable crop canopies: implications for integrated control
Author(s) -
A.M. Rambakudzibga
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
weed research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.693
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1365-3180
pISSN - 0043-1737
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-3180.1999.00169.x
Subject(s) - cyperus rotundus , agronomy , canopy , arable land , weed , crop , biology , growing season , population , imperata , weed control , botany , agriculture , ecology , demography , sociology
Cyperus rotundus L. is one of the most difficult weeds to control worldwide. In Zimbabwe, it is an important weed in arable areas with high crop production potential. The effect of maize, cotton and groundnut canopies on the suppression of C. rotundus was investigated under field conditions over two growing seasons. Similarly, C. rotundus growth and development under a constant maize population planted in isometric and rectangular stands were also studied over one growing season. The capacity of C. rotundus to spread in the short term and its regenerative capacity were curtailed under maize compared with groundnut and cotton canopies. The same was also true under isometric maize stands compared with rectangular maize stands. Significant interactions between crop canopy and time of sampling for C. rotundus shoot counts, leaf area, rhizome length, tuber counts and tuber dry weight suggest the effectiveness of the maize canopy in suppressing the spread and regenerative capacity of C. rotundus early in the season. The implications of these results for the integrated control of C. rotundus are discussed.