Integrated control of yellow nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus)

Integrated control of yellow nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus) Background Yellow nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus) is a very competitive and prolific, invasive, perennial weed (producing large numbers of long-lived stem tubers) that are difficult to control. Since its accidental introduction in the early nineteen eighties, yellow nutsedge is becoming more prevalent and an increasing challenge in Flanders. Until 2016, yellow nutsedge was a quarantine organism with a duty to report to the FAVV (Belgium government). Since 2016, there is no longer a notification requirement, but control is mandatory. Specific farmer responsibilities are included in the IPM checklist, the most important of which is the duty to control, a ban on the cultivation of root, tuber and bulb crops on infested farmland and a responsibility to report yellow nutsedge infestation when making farmland available for rental. It is apparent that the problem is often concealed because it can restrict the crop choice and opportunity for land rental. Meanwhile, the number of infested fields continues to increase. Hence, effective integrated control strategies together with spread-mitigating measures, are urgently needed. Research questions With regard to yellow nutsedge, there are still many questions about reproduction, spread and control. Is the main reproduction and distribution via tubers or do seeds also play a role? Which integrated control systems lead to the quickest reduction of tuber stock in the soil? To what extent do foliar herbicides kill mother tubers and newly formed tubers? How can we improve the efficacy and / or systemic action of foliar herbicides through choice of spray volume and treatment time? Are all clones and seedlings equally sensitive to soil and foliar herbicides? To what extent do animals or human activities assist the spread of this weed? Are there also effective innovative control methods? Target audience This project is aimed at all farmers, horticulturalists, produce buyers and by inference, the entire agricultural chain including advisers, extension workers, agricultural contractors (fertilising, spraying and harvesting), suppliers, etc. After all, if the preventive measures are not taken carefully and respected by all stakeholders, yellow nutsedge will continue to prosper and spread. Contractors of crops can also be confronted with this invasive weed as crops growing on infested fields can no longer be harvested. Even stakeholders (contractors, workers, supervisors, administrators) from non-agricultural sectors (waterways, unpaved areas and public roadsides, field margins, right-of-ways etc.) confronted with yellow nutsedge can benefit from this project. General goals There are two main goals to this project; 1) To limit the further spread of yellow nutsedge and, 2) To provide targeted control of existing nutsedge-infested field spots. To achieve these objectives, answers will be sought to the crucial research questions specified above. Concrete goals There are key research questions with regard to yellow nutsedge to which this project will provide an answer. Does yellow nutsedge mainly reproduce by tubers or do seeds also contribute to reproduction? Which integrated management systems (judicious combinations of cultural , mechanical, physical, biological and chemical control methods) allow rapid depletion of the buried, viable tuba bank? To what extent do systemic foliar herbicides kill mother tubers and newly formed tubers. What is the influence of spray volume and growth stage on herbicide efficacy? Do clonal populations differ in their response to management systems or individual control methods? Which factors contribute to the spread of this weed? Which innovative methods are effective? Where can information about this weed be found? Information dissemination for at least 2 years after the project The innovative knowledge acquired during this project will be documented in an applied, manageable, clear and concise format. The dissemination of all findings will be provided as both interim fact sheets and a final report, available to all independent and private stakeholders. By closely involving the farmers in this project, various farmer experts will no doubt evolve, assisting knowledge transfer between farmers. Furthermore, the knowledge summarized in the brochure can be used by everyone for training courses, lectures, etc. Expected economic impact It can be argued that any field can potentially be infected by yellow nutsedge, which, in turn, would lead to a ban on the cultivation of root, bulb and tuber crops. In total, 600.000 ha and 20.000 growers can therefore potentially be affected in Flanders. In the Kempen-Maasland region, for example, at least 1.300 ha is currently nutsedge-infested and therefore unsuitable for the cultivation of various industrial crops. Establishing a verified control and prevention strategy will surely equate to not only more farmer productivity but also help ensure production sustainability for the future. Projectpartners Inagro vzw (hoofdaanvrager): Danny Callens – Ellen Pauwelyn Universiteit Ghent: Benny De Cauwer – Jeroen Fey Hogeschool Gent: Joos Latré - Jasper Gosseye - Elias van de Vijver Proef- en Vormingscentrum voor de Landbouw vzw (PVL): Shana Clercx en Sander Palmans Hooibeekhoeve: Gert Van de Ven

Keywords:Gewasbescherming

Disciplines:Sustainable agriculture, Agricultural plant protection