Effects of Purple Nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus) on Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) and Bell Pepper (Capsicum annuum) Vegetative Growth and Fruit Yield

Abstract

Additive series experiments were conducted under greenhouse conditions to determine the effect of season-long interference of different initial population densities of purple nutsedge on the shoot dry weight and fruit yield of tomato and bell pepper. Purple nutsedge densities up to 200 plants/m2linearly reduced shoot dry weight at flowering and fruit yield of both crops as weed density increased. Both variables were directly correlated, and for each percentage unit of tomato shoot dry weight loss at flowering, fruit yield was reduced 1.24 units, whereas for bell pepper this relationship was 1 to 2.01. Total shoot and tuber biomass of purple nutsedge increased as density increased. The presence of either crop caused a decline in the total shoot dry weight accumulation of purple nutsedge, with tomato producing a higher degree of loss than bell pepper to the weed. Fruit yield losses due to purple nutsedge interference reached 44% for tomato and 32% for bell pepper.

Tolerance of Fresh-Market Tomato to Postemergence-Directed Imazosulfuron, Halosulfuron, and Trifloxysulfuron

“…Yellow nutsedge is extremely competitive with vegetable crops, and it has been reported that populations of 25 yellow nutsedge plants/m 2 can reduce marketable tomato yields by 10% (Stall and Morales-Payan 2003). Tomato and pepper yield was reduced 44 and 32%, respectively, from 200 purple nutsedge plants/m 2 (Morales-Payan et al 1997).…”

Alternatives to Methyl Bromide: A Florida Perspective.

“…9). These weeds can occur in vast monocultures and have a severe impact on crop yields (81,108). In addition to nutsedges, pigweeds (Amaranthus spp.…”

HPTLC and reverse phase HPLC methods for the simultaneous quantification and in vitro screening of antioxidant potential of isolated sesquiterpenoids from the rhizomes of Cyperus rotundus

“…C. rotundus is also considered as a worst weed because of its widespread distribution and difficult to control [11]. This weed is commonly present in tomato and pepper fields and its interference has been known to reduce yields in a number of crops [12].…”