NUTSEDGE, YELLOW

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

Yellow nutsedge is found throughout the United States and is one of the more cold-tolerant sedge species. Yellow nutsedge is a rapidly spreading perennial.  This weed can be a severe problem in both warm- and cool-season turf species. Sedges are weeds that resemble grasses but unlike grasses, sedges have three-sided or triangular stems. It is important to properly distinguish sedges from grasses because management is totally different. Sedges are plants that thrive in wet or poorly drained soils but can survive in areas that are not wet. Because of frequent irrigation in highly maintained turf, sedges often thrive in the turfgrass environment. Sedges often become established in wet areas and spread to other areas that are not poorly drained or wet areas. Therefore, it is important to recognize areas where sedges can become established and prevent spread of these sedge species to other areas of the golf course or landscape. Although this weed can be difficult to control, it is much easier to control than other sedge species. Proper identification is important to obtain effective control. Timing of control strategies is also important. Control strategies should begin in the spring after maximum shoot emergence but before new tuber production. Beginning in late June and early July, this weed species starts to add new tubers, which will lead to additional weed problems in future years. 

CHEMICAL CONTROL

Postemergence control options include trifloxysulfuron (Monument), sulfosulfuron (Certainty), halosulfuron (Sedgehammer), and bentazon (Basagran). Repeat applications  may be necessary to control this perennial weed season-long. Partial preemergence control can be obtained with metolachlor (Pennant Liquid).  Additionally, sulfentrazone (Dismiss) will provide selective control. 

© 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.