Light restriction associated with halosulfuron methyl application efficiently reduces the number and mass of tubers of Cyperus rotundus L

Abstract

This study evaluated the effect of light availability in the culture environment and the application of a post emergence herbicide, halosulfuron methyl, on the management of Cyperus rotundus. The experiment was arranged in a 2 × 6 factorial design; the first factor was two levels of light availability: photosynthetically active radiation at 1180.4 and 411.6 µmols m⁻² s⁻¹, and the second factor was halosulfuron methyl doses from 28.13 to 140.62 g ha⁻¹. Photosynthetic efficiency, biomass allocation, accumulation of starch in tubers, and percentage control of C. rotundus were evaluated from 7 to 28 days after herbicide application. Doses greater than 70.30 g ha⁻¹ of halosulfuron methyl were efficient to control C. rotundus, regardless of light availability. However, C. rotundus was managed faster under full sunlight than under shading. The efficiency of the photosystem, starch accumulation, and biomass formation decreased with increasing doses of halosulfuron methyl. In a shaded environment, a dose of 28.13 g ha⁻¹ was sufficient to reduce 96.74% of the dry mass and 91.33% of the number of C. rotundus tubers. The decrease in light intensity associated with the use of halosulfuron methyl represents a promising practice for the control of C. rotundus.

Keywords:

• Electron transport rate
• herbicide
• photochemical efficiency of photosystem II
• Weed management

Acknowledgments

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES), Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) and Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais (FAPEMIG) for providing scholarships and financial support.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that there are no relevant financial or non-financial competing interests to report.

Data availability statement

The authors confirm that the data supporting the findings of this study are available within the article.