EVALUATION OF EMERGENCE AND GROWTH RESPONSE OF CYPERUS ROTUNDUS AS INFLUENCED BY SOWING DEPTHS AND WATER REGIMES

Abstract

Cyperus rotundus is rapidly growing plant can quickly form dense colonies through the extensive underground system of tuber and rhizomes. It is highly competitive for resources and causes a significant yield reduction in field crops. The nonchemical method has recently been practiced to control this noxious weed species. The current study was conducted to determine the effect of sowing depths (4, 8, 12, and 16 cm) and water regimes (deficit irrigation, medium irrigation, and frequent irrigation treatments) on C. rotundus shoot growth and underground growth of tubers in pots soil. Weed emergence, i.e., mean emergence time (MET), emergence index (EI), final emergence percentage (FEP), and shoot growth traits i.e. shoot density, shoot fresh weight, shoot dry weight, and tuber growth traits i.e. tuber density, tuber weight, root density, and root weight were recorded under the completely randomized (CRD) factorial design.  The greatest suppression of C. rotundus emergence and growth was found at 16 cm sowing depth. The mean emergence time (MET) of C. rotundus was increased by increasing the sowing depth. Minimum value of shoot densty (9.5 g) and tuber density (15.75 g) were recorded at 16 cm sowing depth under deficit irrigation treatment respectively.While shoot and tuber desnity traits were also drastically suppressed by increasing sowing depth at the deficit irrigation level. It is concluded that sowing depths and deficit irrigation methods can be included as a reliable approach for controlling purple nutsedge shoot and tuber growth.