Abstract

The growth of Cyperus sesquiflorus was characterized in an experiment with 4 replications and 15 treatments (0, 6, 17, 22, 28, 34, 40, 45, 49, 55, 61, 69, 76, 83 and 90 days after transplanting - DAT). Greater leaf length, diameter of the culm, dry matter, and biomass partitioning measurements were made. Alive leaves, inflorescences, alive and dead tillers were counted. The Tukey test at 5% was used for analysis. Greater leaf length was obtained 28 DAT. The treatments 0, 6, 17, 22, 28 and 34 DAT provided the largest diameters. The number of leaves decreased over time, with 0, 6, 17, 22, 28 and 34 DAT being the best (6 to 8). The length of the root system reached 15 cm at 0 to 34 DAT, with no difference from 22 and 28 DAT. The highest number of inflorescences was obtained at 90 DAT, which also provided the highest number of tillers and total dry matter. Biomass partitioning to the underground part was greater in 6, 76 and 90 DAT and the only treatment in which biomass partitioning to the aerial part was greater was 61 DAT. Growth occurred up to 34 days, and decreased due to shading, tillering, flowering, and limitations imposed by the container, with exception of the number of inflorescences and new tillers. Thus, our study provides new information on the behavior of C. sesquiflorus that will contribute to upcoming research on the growth, control, and essential oil production of this species.

Key words: Cyperaceae, Kyllinga odorata Vahl, weeds, medicinal, clonal propagation.