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Effect of Defoliation on Growth and Physiological Developments in Tubers of Purple Nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus L.) |
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| Authors: | B Marambe |
| Institution: | Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka |
| Abstract: | The starch metabolism and hydrolytic enzyme activities in growing tubers of purple nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus L.) in response to defoliation were examined to elucidate the regrowth physiology of the plant. Effects of complete or partial defoliation imposed at 2 or 4 weeks (single defoliation), or 2 and 4 weeks (repeated defoliation) after emergence (WAE) on plant growth were studied. Leaf area and leaf dry weight per plant in the control plots increased with time. In the mother tuber, dry weight and starch content were reduced by 16 % and 18 %, respectively, during the first 2 WAE, and then increased with time. Endoamylase (EC 3.2.1.1) activity of tubers (3.8 units g Repeated defoliation significantly reduced the regrowth ability of nutsedge tubers when compared to single defoliation and the control. Repeated complete defoliation reduced the leaf area and leaf dry weight by 56 % and 69 %, respectively. The dry weights of mother tuber and total tubers 100 cm Endoamylase is the major starch hydrolysing enzyme in tubers and the activity of this enzyme could be a limiting factor in regrowth of nutsedge tubers. Repeated complete defoliation effectively suppressed the regrowth of purple nutsedge. |
| Keywords: | Cyperus rotundus defoliation endoamylase regrowth starch tubers |