Cultural Management Practices for Commercial Tigernut Production in Southern Ontario, Canada

Abstract

To foster development of Ontario commercial tigernut (Cyperus esculentus var. sativus) production, this study was conducted to identify cultural management practices that increase tuber yields. The agronomic practices of field preparation (hilled vs. not hilled), regular irrigation vs. natural rainfall, varying rates of nitrogen (N) fertility, and early season weed management were evaluated. Irrigation had no significant impact on total fresh weight, dry weight, and marketable yield over 2 growing seasons. Similarly, yields from plants grown in hilled rows vs. flat beds over two seasons showed no significant differences. Tigernut yields did not show a response to increasing rates of N up to 150 kg·ha−1. A critical weed-free period of 3 weeks resulted in an 844% yield increase over the nonweeded control. Overall, the results indicate that in general, tigernut requires few inputs to produce a viable commercial yield under Ontario growing conditions.

Weed Control and Tigernut Response to Preemergence Herbicides Applied at Transplanting

“…It is also worth mentioning that no emergence of volunteer tigernut was noted during the season after the production year at any of the locations where the study was conducted. This is in agreement with a similar observation by Elford et al (2020) in Ontario, and it suggests that development of tigernut production in New Jersey would not lead to the establishment of volunteer weedy tigernut in subsequent crops. However, the most challenging weeds to control with plasticulture-grown tigernut would remain yellow nutsedge and purple nutsedge because the pointed shoot tip of both species allow them to penetrate the polyethylene barrier and directly compete with the crop.…”

“…Based on the results of these studies, oxyfluorfen alone or mixed with pendimethalin applied at transplanting shows promise as an effective residual herbicide treatment for weed control and good quality tuber yield comparable to the yield in weed free plots. Elford et al (2020) reported a 2-to 3week weed-free period for preventing tigernut yield loss. Results of this study show that oxyfluorfen applied PRE would provide effective weed control up to 8 weeks after treatment in fields where hairy galinsoga is not a weed of concern and fulfills the requirement of a weed-free period.…”

“…The plant is a rhizomatous and tuber-producing perennial warm-season sedge cultivated in West African countries, Spain, India, and Pakistan (Malashree et al, 2021). Tigernut is also cultivated to a limited extent in South American countries like Chile and Brazil, and in North American countries, including the United States (S anchez-Zapata et al, 2012) and Canada (Elford et al, 2020). In the United States, limited cultivation occurs in Louisiana, Missouri, New Mexico, and Florida, where it is mainly used for feeding turkeys [Meleagris sp.…”

“…As a new crop, little information regarding weed interference and management of tigernut in North America is available. Recent studies in Canada showed that a critical weed-free period of 3 weeks resulted in an 844% yield increase compared to the nonweeded control (Elford et al, 2020). However, the reported data pertaining to weed control with tigernut are limited.…”

Hoop House and Field Evaluation of Tigernut (Cyperus esculentus L. var. sativus Boeck) Selections in New Jersey, USA

“…This confirmed that tigernut cultivation for the tuber is feasible in NJ and growers may take full advantage of this crop as an addition to the agricultural economy of the state. In Canada, Elford et al [ 35 ] reported successful production of tigernuts under Ontario conditions. Added to the increasing popularity of tigernut production in Mexico [ 22 , 36 ], it seems north America (Canada, Mexico, and USA) now has the potential to contribute significantly to the global tigernut production in the future.…”