Purple nutsedge response to various rates and timings of imazosulfuron was evaluated in 2007 and 2008 in Abilene, TX. Bermudagrass phytotoxicity never exceeded 4% throughout the duration of the trial and all bermudagrass recovered within 7 d of herbicide application. Imazosulfuron (0.56 kg ai ha⁻¹) followed by (fb) imazosulfuron 1 wk after initial treatment (WAIT), imazosulfuron at 1.12 kg ai ha⁻¹, and trifloxysulfuron at 0.03 kg ai ha⁻¹ exhibited 94 to 96% control 4 WAIT. Imazosulfuron (0.56 kg ai ha⁻¹) fb imazosulfuron 2, 3, and 4 WAIT exhibited 99% control 4 WAIT. Eight weeks later (12 WAIT), imazosulfuron (0.56 kg ai ha⁻¹) fb imazosulfuron 3 WAIT controlled purple nutsedge 91%, whereas similar control (82 to 84%) was observed with a single application of trifloxysulfuron and imazosulfuron (0.56 kg ai ha⁻¹) fb imazosulfuron 2 and 4 WAIT. A single application of imazosulfuron at 1.12 kg ai ha⁻¹ and sequential treatment with imazosulfuron (0.56 kg ai ha⁻¹) on a 1-wk interval only controlled purple nutsedge 51 to 69% 12 WAIT. Timing of sequential imazosulfuron application was identified as an important component of the purple nutsedge control program. Waiting 2, 3, or 4 WAIT for sequential imazosulfuron applications, rather than 1 WAIT, increased purple nutsedge control 31 to 40% 12 WAIT. The highest level of purple nutsedge control (91%) was observed with applications of imazosulfuron (0.56 kg ai ha⁻¹) fb imazosulfuron 3 WAIT applied during midsummer. However, control with this treatment was statistically similar to control with a single application of trifloxysulfuron (82%).

Nomenclature: Imazosulfuron (2-chloro-N-[[4,6-dimethoxy-2-pyrimidinyl-amino]carbonyl]imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-3-sulfonamide); trifloxysulfuron; common bermudagrass, Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. CYNDA; purple nutsedge, Cyperus rotundus L. CYPRO.