Herbicides that eliminate purple nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus) tubers either absorbed from leaves or directly from the soil solution, guarantee a better performance of gradual disinfestation of the area. This research was carried out to evaluate the most adequate growing stages for post-emergence herbicide application, and the possibility of action of the main herbicides against purple nutsedge tubers when applied to shoots, soil and both. Two experiments were conducted under greenhouse conditions at the Crop Protection Department of the Universidadse de Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Jaboticabal, Brazil. Results of the first experiment showed that all herbicides (trifloxysulfuron-sodium + ametrine, halosulfuron, sulfentrazone and imazapic) resulted in significant reductions in the amounts of viable tubers, in accordance with their modes of action and application recommendations. In the second experiment, the highest percentages of affected tubers, sequentially after the original and derived epigeal emersions, were obtained with the application of trifloxysulfuron-sodium + ametrine at the nutsedge stages "young" and pre-flowering, halosulfuron at the "young" stage and glyphosate at the pre-flowering stage.
Cyperus rotundus biology; trifloxysulfuron-sodium + ametrine; halosulfuron; sulfentrazone; imazapic; glyphosate
