Effects of Frequent Clipping on Three Perennial Weeds, Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers., Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers. and Cyperus rotundus L.

Abstract

Established plants of bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.), johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers.) and purple nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus L.), grown in containers, were repeatedly clipped to the ground from spring to winter, at monthly and bi-weekly intervals. Regrowth of bermudagrass was markedly reduced after monthly clippings, but all plants regrew in the following March; there was no regeneration in March of bi-weekly clipped plants. Severe decrease of regrowth of clipped johnsongrass occurred after bi-weekly or monthly clippings, but a quarter of the clipped plants regenerated in the following March. Nutsedge was more resistant to clipping than the other two species and all clipped plants regrew vigorously in the following March. Repeated clipping reduced the rhizome length or tuber number and the dry matter content in the regrown plants in proportion to the frequency of clipping.