Abstract
Navua sedge (Cyperus aromaticus (Ridley) Mattf. & Kukenth) is an invasive perennial sedge, native to tropical Africa, which is threatening many natural ecosystems and agroecosystems, especially in northern Queensland, Australia. Crop and pasture production have been impacted by Navua sedge and it is also directly causing reductions in dairy and beef production in affected regions. This review documents the biology, ecology and potential management options to minimise the spread and impact of Navua sedge. The weed reproduces both sexually (seeds) and vegetatively (via underground rhizomes). Its tiny seeds can be spread easily via wind, water, vehicles, farm machinery and animals, whilst the rhizomes assist with establishment of dense stands. The CLIMEX model (which uses distribution and climate data in native and novel ranges) indicates that in Australia, Navua sedge has the potential to spread further within Queensland and into the Northern Territory, New South Wales and Victoria. Several management strategies, including mechanical, chemical and agronomic methods, and their integration will have to be used to minimise agricultural production losses caused by Navua sedge, but most of these methods are currently either ineffective or uneconomical when used alone. Other management approaches, including biological control and mycoherbicides, are currently being explored. We conclude that a better understanding of the interaction of its physiological processes, ecological patterns and genetic diversity across a range of conditions found in the invaded and native habitats will help to contribute to and provide more effective integrated management approaches for Navua sedge.
Highlights
Navua sedge (Cyperus aromaticus (Ridley) Mattf. & Kukenth) is native to equatorialAfrican, the Seychelles, Mauritius and Madagascar and has been declared as a weed in Singapore and several island nations of the Pacific including French Polynesia and Fiji [1,2,3]
In Malaysia Navua sedge has been found to be the most abundant and dominant weed covering more than 50% of the turfgrass sites surveyed, including athletic fields, golf course grounds and resident lawns in the Klang Valley of western Peninsular Malaysia [11,12]; it has been found in coastal rice field regions of Sebarang Perak in West Malaysia [13]
The general concern is that Navua sedge is becoming a problematic weed in northern Queensland; currently, there are limited approaches available for its management
Summary
Navua sedge (Cyperus aromaticus (Ridley) Mattf. & Kukenth) is native to equatorial. African, the Seychelles, Mauritius and Madagascar and has been declared as a weed in Singapore and several island nations of the Pacific including French Polynesia and Fiji [1,2,3]. Since its introduction in the 1970s into the wet tropical regions of northern Queensland in Australia [4,5], Navua sedge has become an aggressive perennial, causing negative impacts in the beef, dairy and cropping industries [4,5,6]. It has subsequently spread into wetter parts of the island, becoming a major weed with up to 55% of the dairy pasture areas in Fiji being covered by Navua sedge [10] It has been found widely in grazing areas, roadsides, lawns and turf, coconut plantations and cropping land [7]. This review investigates trait attributes of Navua sedge that are contributing to its spread into novel ranges and recommends potential control methods for its management
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