Preemergence Herbicides and Postemergence Glufosinate Applications for Green kyllinga ( <i>Kyllinga brevifolia</i> ) Management

Abstract Green kyllinga is a perennial sedge that forms dark green mats that can hinder production activities in specialty crop fields. Seeds of this species are highly viable, and seed dispersal can cause rapid increases in population density. In addition, new shoots are produced from each stem node of the underground rhizomes. Green kyllinga is primarily a weed of turf; however, it has increasingly been observed in the row middles (space between raised beds) in Florida small fruit and vegetable crop fields. Trials were conducted to identify the most effective herbicide options from active ingredients registered for use in row middles. Lactofen PRE (404 g ai ha -1 ) was the most effective at controlling green kyllinga emergence followed by pendimethalin (868 g ai ha -1 ). Glufosinate at rates of 189, 378, and 755 g ai ha -1 caused 75 to 93% control on 1 cm tall vegetative green kyllinga shoots. Glufosinate applied at rates of 378 and 755 g ai ha -1 , delivered 96 and 100% control, respectively, on 9 cm tall vegetative shoots. Glufosinate was less effective on flowering green kyllinga, with &gt;90% control only achieved at rates of 755 g ai ha -1 . Shoot dry weight following glufosinate applications did not consistently decrease at the flowering stage until the highest glufosinate rate was applied. We conclude that PRE applications of lactofen or pendimethalin followed by POST applications of glufosinate prior to flowering are effective management options for green kyllinga.