EFFECT OF GROWTH REGULATORS, ALAR OR TRICHLOROBENZOICACID AND THE HERBICIDE BASAGRAN ON THE GROWTH AND PROPAGATIVE CAPACITY OF PURPLE NUTSEDGE (CYPERUS ROTUNDUS L)

Two Pot experiments were conducted during two successive summer seasons of 2006 and 2007 to study the effect of growth regulators, alar (B-nine) or trichlorobenzoic acid (TCBA) and the herbicide basagran on the growth and propagative capacity of purple nutsedge. Spraying treatments of purple nutsedge with alar or TCBA at three concentrations (100, 200 and 400 ppm) after 15 days from sowing, followed by foliar application of basagran at 2800 and 3700 ppm after 30 days from sowing were studied. The statistical analysis indicated that alar or TCBA alone increased significantly the growth of foliage of purple nutsedge, while, reduced the growth of underground organs. Basagran reduced the growth of both foliage and underground organs. The combined treatments of either alar or TCBA and basagran caused severe reduction in the growth of foliage as well as the propagative capacity of purple nutsedge after 65 days from sowing. Growth inhibition of the underground organs was higher with alar and basagran and reached (91.6%) as compared with single application of alar.