Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Weeds are classified by life span as annuals (completing life cycles within one year/season), biennials (two years), or perennials (surviving for three or more years).
Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
Let us examine the life cycles of the listed weed species:
1. Cyperus rotundus (A): A highly persistent perennial sedge that propagates via extensive underground tuber and rhizome networks.
2. Sonchus arvensis (B): Known as perennial sowthistle, it is a deep-rooted perennial weed.
3. Panicum maximum (C): Known as Guinea grass, this is a robust perennial bunchgrass.
4. Sonchus oleraceus (D): Known as annual sowthistle. It completes its entire vegetative and reproductive life cycle within a single season and propagates strictly by seeds.
Therefore, Sonchus oleraceus is an annual weed.
Step 4: Final Answer:
The correct option is 4, which corresponds to Sonchus oleraceus.