Turffiles:Weeds:Kyllinga, Green

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green kyllinga Kyllinga, Green & False Green

[Kyllinga brevifolia & gracillima]

DESCRIPTION

Green kyllinga and false green kyllinga are very similar in appearance, and both are referred to as green kyllinga. Both species are native to Asia and are spreading rapidly in turfgrasses in the southern United States. Both are perennial species with well-developed rhizomes. Kyllingas tend to have a finer leaf texture be shorter growing than other sedges. They thrive under close mowing situations (inch or less) and are very prolific in areas that are poorly drained or frequently wet. These two species are mat-forming sedges and have been observed to take over turfgrasses in the southeastern United States. Green kyllinga is very difficult to control once the large mats form. The range of these two species is somewhat misleading because they are spreading rapidly. It is believed that spread of these two species may be due to a change in crabgrass control practices in recent years.

Characteristic	Description
Growth Season	perennial weed
Seed Arrangement on Spikes	tightly bunched
Seedhead Spikelet Shape	round
Tuber Type	none


green kyllinga seedhead	green kyllinga leaf tip

Note: Still not sure this is the right weed? The Turf & Weed Identification Decision Aid may help. Check the TurfFiles glossary for definitions of unfamiliar terms.

CULTURAL CONTROL

Green kyllinga and false green kyllinga are both perennials that tend to thrive under close mowing (inch or less) and are very prolific in areas that are poorly drained or frequently wet. Green kyllinga is very difficult to control once the large mats tend to form.

CHEMICAL CONTROL

Preemergence crabgrass herbicides offer no control of green and false green kyllinga, whereas arsonate herbicides have significant activity. When the arsonate herbicides were regularly used for crabgrass control, these two sedge species were probably prohibited from becoming established. Current control recommendations include multiple applications of arsonate herbicides (DSMA, MSMA, CMA) in tolerant turfgrasses. However, MSMA may be phased out in 2009. Control is also achieved with multiple applications of sulfonylurea herbicides such as SedgeHammer, Monument, and Certainty as well as sulfentrazone (Dismiss). Two applications of halosulfuron (SedgeHammer) can be used to suppress green kyllinga. Halosulfuron is more effective against false green kyllinga than green kyllinga. Trial results for these two weed species have been combined in the table below. See actual trial reports for information about the actual species included in each trial.

*Preemergence herbicides:*

Herbicide	Tolerant Turfs ⁽¹⁾	Average Efficacy Rating⁽²⁾	Range of Trial Efficacy Values, %	Number of Trials	Products ⁽³⁾
prodiamine & sulfentrazone	ba, bc, be, bk, c, f, r, z	E	100	4	Barricade & Dismiss, Echelon

*Postemergence herbicides:*

Herbicide	Tolerant Turfs ⁽¹⁾	Average Efficacy Rating⁽²⁾	Range of Trial Efficacy Values, %	Number of Trials	Products ⁽³⁾
trifloxysulfuron-sodium	be, z	E	89 - 100	35	Monument
sulfosulfuron	ba, be, c, sa, z	E	87 - 100	12	Certainty
imazaquin & MSMA***	be	E	98 - 99	4	Image & MSMA (various brands)
imazaquin	be, c, sa, z	E	96 - 100	3	Image
MSMA & trifloxysulfuron-sodium***	be	E	100	1	Monument & MSMA (various brands)
halosulfuron	ba, bc, be, bk, c, f, r, sa, z	G	59 - 100	12	SedgeHammer
MSMA***	be, r	G	74 - 99	6	MSMA (various brands)
bentazon & MSMA***	be	G	77 - 93	4	Basagran T/O & MSMA (various brands)
halosulfuron & MSMA***	be, r	F	55 - 86	7	MSMA (various brands) & SedgeHammer
bentazon	ba, bc, be, bk, c, f, sa, z	F	31 - 96	3	Basagran T/O

***	MSMA may be phased out in 2009.

*Footnotes:*
(1)	*Turfgrass Codes:*
	ba	bahiagrass
	bc	bentgrass, creeping
	be	bermudagrass
	bk	bluegrass, Kentucky
	c	centipedegrass
	f	fescue, tall
	r	ryegrass, perennial
	sa	St. Augustinegrass
	z	zoysiagrass
	blank	No turfgrass in the database is completely tolerant. Check label to see if chemical can be used at a reduced rate or during the dormant season on your turfgrass.
(2)	*Efficacy Ratings:*
	E	excellent control (90 to 100%)
	G	good control (80 to 90%)
	F	fair control (70 to 80%)
	Efficacy ratings are based on herbicide trials performed by weed scientists at North Carolina State University between 1997 and 2007. The number of trials included in the efficacy ratings is displayed in the next-to-last column. The higher this number, the more confidence can be placed in the efficacy values. Trials may have involved sequential applications of one or more chemical. Details of individual trials (herbicide rates, dates of application, environmental conditions at time of application, etc) can be viewed on the TurfFiles web site, through the Turf Weed Management Decision Aid. Efficacy ratings for chemicals lacking trial data are from “Pest Management Strategic Plan for Turfgrass in the Southern United States,” summary of a workshop for turf experts from multiple universities held in Griffin, GA in October, 2004 and sponsored by the Southern Region Integrated Pest Management Center.
(3)	Recommendations of specific chemicals are based upon information on the manufacturer's label and performance in a limited number of trials. Because environmental conditions and methods of application may vary widely, performance of the chemical will not always conform to the safety and pest control standards indicated by experimental data. The order in which brand names are given is not an indication of a recommendation or criticism.
	Recommendations for the use of agricultural chemicals are included in this publication as a convenience to the reader. The use of brand names and any mention or listing of commercial products or services does not imply endorsement by North Carolina State University or discrimination against similar products or services not mentioned. Other brand names may be labeled for use on turfgrasses. Individuals who use agricultural chemicals are responsible for ensuring that the intended use complies with current regulations and conforms to the product label. Be sure to obtain current information about usage regulations and examine a current product label before applying any chemical. For assistance, contact your county's Cooperative Extension agent.

© North Carolina State University. This information sheet was prepared by Fred Yelverton, Bridget R. Lassiter, Gail G. Wilkerson, Leon Warren, Travis Gannon, Jenifer J. Reynolds, and Gregory S. Buol. Department of Crop Science, College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, North Carolina State University. Prepared July 15, 2008. Available on-line at www.turffiles.ncsu.edu. This publication was made possible through a grant provided by the Center for Turfgrass Environmental Research & Education (CENTERE) whose purpose is to support worthwhile projects that will benefit both the private sector and the public, and protect the environment.

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