Morphological characterization of Cyperus rotundus and Cyperus esculentus clones from the south east of Buenos Aires province.

Tubers of 39 clones of two weed species of Cyperus, collected in the south east of Buenos Aires province, Argentina, were planted and grown with the objetive of differentiate both species and to search for intra and interspecific variation through multivariate analysis. Seventeen morphological characters were measured and the data were processed through cluster and principal components analysis. Both numerical techniques clearly distinguished clones corresponding to the two species; cualitative characters contributed more than cuantitative ones. The latter characters were of major importance to establish intraspecific differences. This variation determine the presence of different biotypes in the surveyed area.

Key words: CYPRO, CYPES, nutsedge, multivariate analysis, clonal differentiation.