Influence of tillage and straw mulching on purple nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus L.) in Olive Orchards

A weed control trial was conducted in order to investigate the effect of tillage and straw mulching on Cyperus rotundus infestation in olive orchards. Tillage was applied on six olive trees and straw mulching was applied on six olive trees. Observations on C. rotundus were carried out 30 and 90 days after treatments after application of tillage and straw mulching. Results showed that the average tillage efficacy recorded 80.3±3.5% of visual efficacy rating at 30 DAT, which is higher than the efficacy of straw mulching that recorded an efficacy of 57.8±3.4%. The average tillage efficacy recorded 71.8±3.4% of visual efficacy rating at 90 DAT, which is higher than the efficacy of straw mulching that recorded an efficacy of 43.8±4.8%. C. rotundus infestation increased at 90 days after tillage compared to 30 days after tillage. The average tillage efficacy recorded 62.3±3.5% on C. rotundus dry biomass reduction at 90 DAT, which is higher than the efficacy of straw mulching that recorded an efficacy of 34.8±5.3%. Thus, frequent tillage could be recommended to prevent C. rotundus re-infestation in Olive Orchards.