Growth and Interaction of Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) by Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum)

Abstract

Several weed-free and bermudagrass competition periods were established and maintained in cotton to evaluate their influence on cotton yields and reproduction of bermudagrass. Cotton sprayed with fluazifop for bermudagrass control 4 or 8 weeks after emergence yielded 93 and 90% as much as weed-free cotton. This compared to losses of 16 and 26% when bermudagrass was permitted to compete with cotton for 12 and 25 weeks, respectively. Cotton handweeded for 8 to 12 weeks yielded the same as weed-free cotton and 9% more than cotton weed free for only 4 weeks. Bermudagrass seed production was prevented and rhizome production was negligible when weed competition did not exceed 8 weeks and weed-free periods exceeded 4 weeks. Bermudagrass produced significant amounts of seeds (45 to 88% of weedy checks) and rhizomes (9 to 31% of weedy checks) in plots weed free for 4 weeks and in plots where control was delayed for 12 weeks. Cotton grades were reduced because the cotton lint was contaminated with grass in plots weed free for only 4 weeks, and in plots where bermudagrass competed for 25 weeks.