Weed control by heat or flaming typically uses flames to burn small weeds, directed away from desired crops. This research studied an enclosed flaming system for weed control before turfgrass establishment. Field research trials were conducted to explore the efficacy of a PL-8750 flame sanitizer at two application timings. Treatments included various application methods of PL-8750 flame sanitizer and common thermal and chemical weed control methods. Data were weed control relative to the control treatment. Species evaluated included carpetweed, Virginia buttonweed, spotted spurge, large crabgrass, goosegrass, old world diamond-flower, cocks-comb kyllinga, and yellow nutsedge. Turfgrass establishment was not successful in summer but was successful in fall. Fall-application timing trials resulted in > 60% tall fescue establishment at 6 wk after seeding (WAS) for all treatments. Summer-application timing trials resulted in unacceptable turfgrass establishment (≤ 18%) for all evaluated turfgrass species at 6 WAS. Broadleaf and grassy weeds were better controlled compared with sedge weeds. Overall, solarization; covered, emerged-weed flaming; and double applications of covered, emerged-weed flaming were the most successful treatments. Solarization controlled carpetweed, Virginia buttonweed, spotted spurge, large crabgrass, and goosegrass > 80% at 6 WAS. Weed control across thermal treatments were equal to or greater than the comparison chemical treatment (dazomet at 389 kg ha−1). Results indicate thermal weed control has potential for reducing weed populations before turfgrass establishment.

The objective of this study was to determine whether a junglerice population from the tropical Ord River region of northwest Australia was glyphosate resistant, and whether alternative herbicides labeled for junglerice control were still effective. Seed samples collected from the field site were initially screened with glyphosate in the glasshouse, and surviving individuals were self-pollinated for subsequent glyphosate dose-response studies. Glyphosate resistance was confirmed, as the suspected resistant population was found to be 8.6-fold more resistant to glyphosate than a susceptible population based on survival (LD50 of 3.72 kg ha−1), and 5.6-fold more resistant based on biomass reduction (GR50 of 1.16 kg ha−1). The glyphosate-resistant population was susceptible to label-recommended doses of all other herbicides assessed, including three acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) –inhibiting herbicides (fluazifop-P, haloxyfop, and sethoxydim), two acetolactate synthase (ALS) –inhibiting herbicides (imazamox and sulfometuron), paraquat, and glufosinate. Glyphosate resistance has previously evolved in numerous species found in glyphosate-resistant cropping systems, no-till chemical fallow, fence line, and perennial crop situations. Here we report the evolution of glyphosate resistance in a cropping system that included annual tillage. The evolution of glyphosate resistance in junglerice from a tropical cropping system further demonstrates the need for improved glyphosate stewardship practices globally.

Management of weeds is often a barrier to conversion from conventional to organic agriculture. Tef is a C4 annual cereal that is valued for its small seeds, rapid establishment, and wide adaptation. The objective of this study was to evaluate tef as a smother crop for management of weeds during transition to organic production. Greenhouse and field trials were conducted in 2008 and 2009 to evaluate the growth of eight tef varieties and their effect on Canada thistle and annual weeds. In greenhouse studies, tef decreased the biomass of Canada thistle shoots and roots 44 to 74%, depending on variety. Emergence of Canada thistle shoots was affected by the planting depth of their roots. Tef variety Corvalis suppressed Canada thistle biomass and accumulated more biomass than most other tef varieties. In field studies, tef varieties suppressed annual weed biomass by 35 to 54% with varieties Corvalis, Dessie, and VA-T1 being least suppressive in 2008, but there were no differences between varieties in 2009. Canada thistle growth was suppressed an average of 73% by tef in 2008 and 37% in 2009, a year of cooler temperatures and unseasonal rainfall. Differences between varieties in suppressing Canada thistle and annual weeds were mostly inconsistent between years. However, tef variety Tiffany did consistently suppress biomass, height, and percentage cover of Canada thistle and other weeds in the field study in 2008 and 2009.

Bodies of water that are treated with herbicides for aquatic weed control are often used as a source of irrigation water by landowners near the water body, but there is little information regarding the effects of experimental aquatic herbicides on common garden plants. Therefore, the goal of these experiments was to identify phytotoxicity of four herbicides on vegetables frequently cultivated by home gardeners. Sweet pepper, zucchini, tomato, and bush bean were irrigated with water containing bispyribac-sodium, quinclorac, topramezone, and trifloxysulfuron-sodium to identify the herbicide concentrations that damage these garden vegetables. Experiments were conducted during 2009 and repeated in 2010. Plants were irrigated four times during an 11-d period with the equivalent of 1.27 cm of treated water during each irrigation, then irrigated with well water until they were harvested 41 d after the first herbicide treatment. Values of the concentration of herbicide expected to reduce treated plants by 10% compared with control plants (EC10) were calculated from components of nonlinear regression. Analysis of visual quality and dry weight data revealed that bush bean was the most sensitive of the vegetable plants to bispyribac-sodium, trifloxysulfuron-sodium, and topramezone, whereas the species most sensitive to quinclorac was zucchini. Exposure of bush bean to 7.1, 0.9, and 1.2 parts per billion (ppb) of bispyribac-sodium, trifloxysulfuron-sodium, and topramezone, respectively, would be expected to cause 10% reductions compared with control plants, whereas exposure of zucchini to as little as 11.0 ppb of quinclorac would be expected to cause a 10% reduction in dry weight.

Dimethenamid-p was labeled for preemergence use in potatoes in 2005. The herbicide provides hairy nightshade control; however, a tank-mix partner targeting common lambsquarters must be used in order to provide satisfactory control of that weed. S-metolachlor and metolachlor, also labeled for use in potato, are in the same chemical family as dimethenamid-p and questions have arisen as to whether or not these herbicides provide the same or different levels of hairy nightshade control. The objectives of this study, therefore, were (1) to compare preemergence control of common lambsquarters and other weeds in potato with dimethenamid-p applied at 0.72, 0.94, or 1.12 kg ai ha−1 alone or in two-way tank mixtures to determine appropriate tank-mix partners, and (2) to compare hairy nightshade control by dimethenamid-p with control by S-metolachlor or metolachlor. Two-way tank mixtures of dimethenamid-p with ethalfluralin, EPTC, flumioxazin, metribuzin, pendimethalin, or sulfentrazone generally improved season-long common lambsquarters control compared with dimethenamid-p applied alone at 0.72, 0.94, or 1.12 kg ha−1. When compared with control by dimethenamid-p alone at 0.72 or 0.94 kg ha−1, control by dimethenamid-p at either rate tank-mixed with ethalfluralin or EPTC was not improved as much as control by combinations of dimethenamid-p at those rates with the other tank-mix partners. Hairy nightshade control by three-way tank mixtures of S-metolachlor or metolachlor with various combinations of metribuzin, ethalfluralin, EPTC, or pendimethalin ranged from 60 to 86% and was not as great as the 93 to 98% control by dimethenamid-p at 0.72 kg ha−1 combined with the same tank-mix partners. U.S. No. 1 and total tuber yields of comparative two- and three-way tank mixtures were generally increased when weed control was improved.

Dodder seeds are physically dormant because of hard seed coats and do not readily germinate without scarification. Reliable methods of scarification for small lots of dodder seed are needed to facilitate laboratory, greenhouse, and field research projects. Dodder seed was scarified for varying times using a handheld rotary tool at the 10,000 rpm setting with a conical grinding-stone bit attached. Percentage of germination and weight change of seeds were assessed using scarification times between 0 and 4 min at 0.5-min increments. Mean seed weight loss and mean number of germinated seeds increased quadratically as scarification time increased. Scarifying for 2.5 min was judged the shortest time with maximal germination. Another study evaluated the effect of seed number (100 to 400 seeds sample−1) on the efficacy of rotary tool scarification when scarification time was held constant at 2.5 min. Percentage of germination decreased linearly as seed batch size increased. The handheld rotary tool provides consistent and repeatable scarification of dodder seed with germination rates greater than 80%.

Options for suppressing zoysiagrass seedheads in managed turfgrass systems are limited. Experiments were conducted in 2010 and 2011 evaluating the use of imazamox (26, 52, and 70 g ai ha−1) or imazapic (52 g ai ha−1) for ‘Zenith' and ‘Meyer' zoysiagrass seedhead suppression. Imazamox and imazapic at ≥ 52 g ai ha−1 suppressed Zenith zoysiagrass seedheads ≥ 95% at 2 to 6 wk after initial treatment (WAIT) each year. Slight injury (< 10%) was observed with these treatments; however, effective seedhead suppression resulted in increased (i.e., darker) green color from 8 to 15 WAIT each year. Relative chlorophyll index values for imazamox- and imazapic-treated plots ranged from 100 to 147% of the nontreated control in 2010 and 89 to 125% of the nontreated in 2011. On Meyer zoysiagrass, imazamox and imazapic at ≥ 52 g ha−1 reduced seedhead counts greater than 90% in both Tennessee and Indiana. However, significant (> 25%) injury was reported with these treatments at one experimental location. Although imazamox and imazapic have efficacy for zoysiagrass seedhead suppression, additional studies are needed to determine factors affecting zoysiagrass injury potential from imazamox and imazapic applications.

Sustainable weed management strategies are needed for organic orchard systems. A study was conducted in an almond orchard in Fresno, CA from 2009 to 2011. Treatment comparisons included steam, flame, and broad applications of either lemongrass oil or D-limonene. An untreated control was also included. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with four replications. Weekly evaluations on percent weed control were taken and weed biomass was sampled 4 to 8 wk after treatment (WAT). Weed control and biomass differed between seasons but, in general, steam and flame provided as much as 95% control 1 WAT. However, the effects lasted only 3 to 4 wk as new weeds emerged or the treated weeds overcame the suppressive effects of the thermal treatments. Weed biomass was 95% lower in the steam- and flame-treated plots compared with the untreated plots in summer. Both steam and flame were more effective on certain erect-growing broad-leaved weed species than on prostrate-growing weeds and grasses. Lemongrass oil provided very little weed control. However, D-limonene provided up to 95% weed control 1 WAT and in one experiment 53% control was observed up to 5 WAT. This herbicide also resulted in lower weed biomass than the untreated and the thermal-treated plots. Monthly applications of steam or flame or applications of D-limonene every 5 to 6 wk may have to be made to adequately suppress weeds in organic almond orchards. Cost estimates of propane use were $41 to 56 ha−1 and $26 ha−1 for the steam and flame treatments, respectively. The cost of D-limonene was estimated as $275 ha−1. To optimize weed control and costs, these tools may need to be used in combination rather than by themselves.

Two field experiments were undertaken at Roseworthy, South Australia from 2006 to 2007 to evaluate the performance of herbicide application strategies for the control of herbicide-resistant rigid ryegrass in faba bean grown in wide rows (WR). The standard farmer practice of applying postsowing PRE (PSPE) simazine followed by POST clethodim to faba bean grown in WR provided consistent and high levels of rigid ryegrass control (≥ 96%) and caused a large reduction (P < 0.05) in spike production (≤ 20 spikes m−2) as compared with nontreated control (560 to 722 spikes m−2). Furthermore, this herbicide combination resulted in greatest yield benefits for WR faba bean (723 to 1,046 kg ha−1). Although PSPE propyzamide used in combination with shielded interrow applications of glyphosate or paraquat provided high levels of rigid ryegrass control (≥ 93%), these treatments were unable to reduce ryegrass spike density within the crop row (20 to 54 spikes m−2) to levels acceptable for continued cropping. Furthermore, a yield reduction (13 to 29%) was observed for faba bean in treatments with shielded application of nonselective herbicides and could be related to spray drift onto lower leaves. These findings highlight that shielded interrow spraying in WR faba bean could play an important role in the management of rigid ryegrass in southern Australia. However, timing of shielded interrow applications on weed control, crop safety, and issues concerning integration with more effective early-season control strategies require attention.

Weed management in green onion continues to be a challenge for vegetable growers in Ohio. Field experiments were conducted from 2005 to 2009 to evaluate oxyfluorfen efficacy on common purslane and prostrate pigweed and green onion tolerance when applied POST at 0, 30, 70, 105, and 290 g ai ha−1 approximately 3 wk after planting. No crop injury was observed from any of the herbicide rates, except in 2009 when 209 g ha−1 oxyfluorfen resulted in 10% injury at 7 d after treatment. The transient injury did not reduce green onion yield. Green onion yield ranged from 1.8 to 2.2 kg plot−1 in 2006 and 1.3 to 1.5 kg plot−1 in 2009. In 2007 yield increased linearly from 1.9 to 3.0 kg plot−1 with oxyfluorfen rates of 0 to 105 g ha−1. Common purslane control increased as the rate of oxyfluorfen increased. Application of oxyfluorfen at 70 to 105 g ha−1 provided the best control of common purslane, ranging from 61 to 95% across the years. Similar control results were observed for prostrate pigweed. Prostrate pigweed control with 70 to 105 g ha−1 ranged from 40 to 93% from 2005 to 2009. These results suggest that green onion tolerates oxyfluorfen rates of 70 to 105 g ha−1, and these rates provide common purslane and prostrate pigweed control that growers would find acceptable. Registration of the water-based formulation of oxyfluorfen would provide growers an opportunity to control weeds and reduce the need for hand labor.

Conservation agriculture (CA) practices are threatened by glyphosate-resistant Palmer amaranth. Integrated control practices including PRE herbicides and high-residue CA systems can decrease Amaranthus emergence. Field experiments were conducted from autumn 2006 through crop harvest in 2009 at two sites in Alabama to evaluate the effect of integrated weed management practices on Amaranthus population density and biomass, cotton yield, and economics in glyphosate-resistant cotton. Horizontal strips included four CA systems with three cereal rye cover crop seeding dates and a winter fallow (WF) CA system compared to a conventional tillage (CT) system. Additionally, vertical strips of four herbicide regimes consisted of: broadcast, banded, or no PRE applications of S-metolachlor (1.12 kg ai ha−1) followed by (fb) glyphosate (1.12 kg ae ha−1) applied POST fb layby applications of diuron (1.12 kg ai ha−1) plus MSMA (2.24 kg ai ha−1) or the LAYBY application alone. Early-season Amaranthus density was reduced in high-residue CA in comparison to the CA WF systems in 2 of 3 yr. Amaranthus densities in herbicide treatments that included a broadcast PRE application were lower at three of five sampling dates compared to banding early-season PRE applications; however, the differences were not significant during the late season and cotton yields were not affected by PRE placement. High-residue conservation tillage yields were 577 to 899 kg ha−1 more than CT, except at one site in 1 yr when CT treatment yields were higher. CA utilizing high-residue cover crops increased net returns over CT by $100 ha−1 or more 2 out of 3 yr at both locations. High-residue cover crop integration into a CA system reduced Amaranthus density and increased yield over WF systems; the inclusion of a broadcast PRE application can increase early-season Amaranthus control and might provide additional control when glyphosate-resistant Amaranthus populations are present.

Alternaria cassiae and Colletotrichum truncatum are bioherbicidal pathogens of sicklepod, and hemp sesbania, respectively. The effects of simulated rainfall followed by 12 h simulated dew application, immediately or delayed by 1 to 4 h, on disease severity and weed control were studied for each pathogen on its weed host under greenhouse conditions. After each simulated rainfall event, treated plants were placed in a dew chamber for 12 h. Regardless of rainfall amount and/or timing, only slight differences occurred on A. cassiae disease severity and sicklepod control (85 to 100% for both parameters). However, when similar tests were imposed on C. truncatum, disease severity and hemp sesbania control were highly variable, ranging from 5 to 100%. Regardless of rainfall amount, disease development and control of hemp sesbania were greatly reduced (60%) when dew application was delayed by only 1 h following inoculation, regardless of rainfall treatment. Rainfall at 1.27 and 2.58 cm had little effect on disease development and control in hemp sesbania, but the effect of transfer time to dew application exhibited a greater role on these parameters. Thus the time between bioherbicide application and dew application was more important for C. truncatum than for A. cassiae. These results indicate that rainfall amounts and the timing of dew application caused differential effects on disease severity and weed control after application of these bioherbicides to their target weeds.

Annual bluegrass is a troublesome weed in turf management and there are currently limited POST herbicides labeled for use in seashore paspalum. Field and greenhouse experiments were conducted to evaluate seashore paspalum tolerance to pronamide and other herbicides for annual bluegrass control. In field experiments, turf injury never exceeded 7% from pronamide applied at dormancy, 50% green-up, or complete green-up of seashore paspalum in spring. Annual bluegrass control from pronamide was initially similar across timings and averaged 67, 90, and 98% control from 0.84, 1.68, and 3.36 kg ai ha−1, respectively, after 6 wk. In greenhouse experiments, the aforementioned pronamide rates caused less than 10% injury on seashore paspalum. Seashore paspalum injury in the greenhouse was excessive (> 20%) from atrazine, bispyribac-sodium, and trifloxysulfuron and moderate (7 to 20%) from foramsulfuron, rimsulfuron, and ethofumesate. Seashore paspalum seedhead count reductions by 4 wk after treatment (WAT) were good to excellent (87 to 98%) from atrazine, bispyribac-sodium, rimsulfuron, and trifloxysulfuron and poor (≤ 0%) from ethofumesate, foramsulfuron, and pronamide. By 4 WAT, seashore paspalum clippings were reduced 0 to 39% from pronamide, whereas atrazine, bispyribac-sodium, and trifloxysulfuron reduced clippings by 54 to 69% from the untreated and ethofumesate, foramsulfuron, and rimsulfuron reduced clippings by 27 to 39%.

Cultivation is a proven means of weed control in organic peanut. However, weeds present in-row often escape control. Research trials were conducted in Ty Ty, GA to modify cultural practices to help suppress weed emergence in-row. Modified cultural practices were three row pattern/seeding rate combinations; twin rows (four rows on a seedbed) seeded at the recommended (1X) seeding rate that produced 13 seed m−1 in each row, twin rows seeded at the 2X seeding rate that produced 23 seed m−1 in each row, and wide rows (two rows on seedbed) seeded at the recommended seeding rate that produced 23 seed m−1. Four cultivation regimes were evaluated; cultivation with a tine weeder at weekly intervals for 6 wk, cultivation with a tine weeder at weekly intervals for 8 wk, scouring with a brush hoe at vegetative emergence followed by the tine weeder for 6 wk, and a noncultivated control. There were no interactions between row pattern/seeding rates and cultivation regimes for any parameter measured. There was inconsistent response of weed control and peanut yield to row pattern/seeding rates. Weed control and peanut yields were similar with tine weeding for 6 wk, 8 wk, or with the brush hoe followed by the tine weeder. Weed management in organic peanut was not improved by altering peanut cultural practices that facilitate quicker canopy closure, and the use of narrow row patterns should not be based on attempts to improve weed control in organic peanut. Narrow row patterns provide other benefits to organic peanut production and those attributes should influence decisions on the choice of row pattern, not weed control.

Greenhouse and field experiments were conducted to evaluate the use of a carbon band to provide a “safe zone” for seedling emergence and growth of three native grass species. ‘KIKA677’ streambed bristlegrass germplasm, ‘Alamo’ switchgrass, and ‘Waelder’ shortspike windmillgrass germplasm were used in combination with several PRE- and POST-applied herbicides including cloransulam, flumioxazin, imazapic, imazethapyr, and 2,4-D. In a greenhouse experiment, switchgrass emergence was improved when a carbon band was used with imazapic or imazethapyr at 0.04 and 0.07 kg ai ha−1 or 2,4-D at 2.12 kg ae ha−1. Windmillgrass emergence was improved when carbon was used in combination with flumioxazin at 0.05 and 0.1 kg ai ha−1, imazapic at 0.04 and 0.07 kg ha−1, imazethapyr at 0.07 kg ha−1, and 2,4-D at 1.06 kg ha−1, whereas bristlegrass emergence was improved when carbon was used in combination with flumioxazin at 0.1 kg ai ha−1, imazapic at both rates, and imazethapyr at 0.04 kg ha−1. Field studies indicated that flumioxazin at 0.05 and 0.1 kg ha−1, imazapic at 0.04 kg ha−1, and imazethapyr at 0.04 and 0.07 kg ha−1, were safened for bristlegrass and switchgrass emergence when used with carbon. Windmillgrass emergence and growth were improved when carbon was used in combination with flumioxazin at 0.1 kg ha−1.

Greenhouse, growth chamber, and field studies were conducted at Stoneville, MS, in 2000 to 2008, to determine the growth rate, reproductive and overwintering potential, and control of deeproot sedge. In growth chamber studies, deeproot sedge growth rate (ht) and plant dry wt were greatest at 25/35 C (night/day temperatures), when compared with regimes of 5/15, 15/25, and 20/30 C. Based on the average number of scales (fruiting sites per spikelet), spikelets per inflorescence, and culms per plant, deeproot sedge reproductive potential was 2.6-, 6.2-, and 17.4-fold greater than Surinam, green, and knob sedges, respectively. A single deeproot sedge plant produced an average of 85,500 achenes annually. Mowing at 15-cm ht weekly prevented achene production but did not kill deeproot sedge plants. The average number of inflorescences produced on mowed plants was 1.2 to 4 times greater in 2- and 1-yr-old deeproot sedge plants, respectively, when compared with unmowed plants. Mature deeproot sedge achenes were produced between monthly mowings. In a 3-yr field study, glyphosate, glufosinate, hexazinone, and MSMA provided more than 85% control of deeproot sedge, and above the soil, live deeproot sedge plant dry wt was reduced by 50, 64, 68, 72, 86, and 93% by dicamba, halosulfuron-methyl, MSMA, hexazinone, glufosinate, and glyphosate, respectively. All (100%) deeproot sedge plants 1 yr old or older overwintered at Stoneville, MS, at 33°N latitude.

Aminocyclopyrachlor (AMCP) is a herbicide with an auxin-mimic mode of action. AMCP is registered for use in the United States on right-of-way and other noncropland sites, causing concern for potential off-target spray drift. The objectives of this study were to evaluate cantaloupe and eggplant response to simulated AMCP spray drift in the field and cotton response in the greenhouse. Cantaloupe and eggplant responded with little to no injury from drift rates up to 10 g AMCP ha−1, roughly 3.2% of the maximum labeled use rate for right-of-way weed control. Slight yield reductions occurred but were not consistent between 2008 and 2009. Therefore, eggplant and cantaloupe injury and yield-reduction potential from AMCP spray drift is low. Cotton response to AMCP drift was compared to similar spray drift rates of 2,4-D and aminopyralid. Cotton responded with injury and reductions in height and dry mass from all three herbicides. Responses were greatest from AMCP, indicating AMCP is potentially more damaging to cotton than 2,4-D or aminopyralid if spray drift occurs, when comparing percentages of labeled rates.

The biology of purple nutsedge was studied by growing it alone and in competition with 12 and 24 rice plants in a pot experiment. Compared with the weedy plants grown alone, competition from rice reduced purple nutsedge leaf number, shoot number, tuber production rate, and leaf biomass. At 10 wk after planting, interference from 12 and 24 rice plants reduced purple nutsedge leaf area by 79 and 86%, respectively, compared with weedy plants grown without rice interference. On the same date, purple nutsedge aboveground shoot biomass was 26.8 g plant−1 without interference, whereas in interference with 12 and 24 rice plants, purple nutsedge produced aboveground biomass of 4.8 and 2.2 g plant−1, respectively. A total of 95 tubers plant−1 were produced by purple nutsedge when grown alone. Growth with 12 and 24 rice plants reduced tuber production to 33 and 17 tubers plant−1, respectively. Without interference, purple nutsedge produced 40 g plant−1 of total biomass of tuber plus root plus rhizome, whereas in interference with 12 and 24 rice plants, purple nutsedge produced 14 and 5 g plant−1 of total belowground biomass, respectively.

Avena spp. are world weeds with many cases of evolved herbicide resistance. In Australia, Avena spp. (wild oat and sterile oat) are a major problem, especially in grain crops. Acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACCase)–inhibiting herbicides have been used extensively since the late 1970s for Avena spp. control. However, continued reliance on these herbicides has resulted in the evolution of resistant Avena spp. populations. Resistance across many ACCase-inhibiting herbicides was characterized in four Avena spp. populations from the Western Australian grain belt. Dose–response experiments were conducted to determine the level of resistance to the aryloxyphenoxypropionates and cyclohexanediones and to the phenylpyrazoline herbicide pinoxaden. On the basis of resistance index values, all four resistant populations exhibited high-level diclofop resistance but varied in the level of resistance to other ACCase-inhibiting herbicides tested. It is evident that Avena spp. populations from the Western Australian grain belt have evolved resistance to a number of ACCase-inhibiting herbicides.

Greenhouse experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of selective herbicide placement on sedge shoot number, shoot weight, and root weight. Sulfentrazone, sulfosulfuron, and trifloxysulfuron were applied to soil only, foliage only, or soil plus foliage. Sulfentrazone provided greater yellow nutsedge and false green kyllinga growth reduction compared to purple nutsedge. Sulfosulfuron provided greater purple nutsedge and false green kyllinga growth reduction compared to yellow nutsedge; these species responded similarly to trifloxysulfuron. Soil and soil plus foliar applications provided the highest level of growth suppression, indicating herbicide–soil contact is required for optimum sedge control with these three herbicides. Future research should evaluate techniques that optimize herbicide–soil contact to improve herbicide efficacy.