Deposition of diquat with different spray tips, efficiency on common water hyacinth, and effect on water quality

Eichhornia crassipes, known as common water hyacinth, has a high growth rate and produces large amounts of biomass when there are imbalances in water bodies, making it one of the worst aquatic weeds in the world. A study was carried out under small water reservoir field conditions to evaluate the herbicide diquat (960 g ha−1) in controlling this species, at the adult stage development. Four spray tips (AI 11002VS, XR 11002VS and, TXVK-8 with spray volume of 200 L ha−1 and XR 11003VS with 400 L ha−1) were tested. Spraying was performed using a CO2-pressurized sprayer under constant pressure attached to a boat. Plant control was visually evaluated at 1, 3, 7, 11, 14, 21, 29, 60, 87, and 98 days after herbicide application and dry matter accumulation was determined at the end of the experimental period, as well as the spray solution deposition in the application area and water physical and chemical quality. The herbicide diquat was efficient in controlling E. crassipes plants at the dose applied and in development stage of the studied plants, regardless of the type of spray tip at the end of the evaluations. At the beginning of evaluations, the spray tip XR 11002VS was the least effectivity in controlling water hyacinth plants. Spray solution losses were high in all tips tested for control of E. crassipes plants, and the spray tips AI 11002VS and XR 11003VS provided the lowest losses during spraying. No water physical or chemical characteristics were negatively affected by diquat application.

Sowing depth and light intensity in the emergence and development of monocotyledonous weeds

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different sowing depths and light intensities on the emergence and development of the monocot weed species, Urochloa decumbens and Cenchrus echinatus, under field conditions. Each species constituted an experiment, and the experimental design was completely randomized with four replicates. The treatments were arranged in a 6 x 4 factorial scheme, with six sowing depths (0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0, 8.0, and 12.0 cm) associated with four solar radiation intensities (100%, 70%, 50%, and 30%) obtained through the use of shading screens. Seedling emergence capacity was evaluated daily to obtain the emergence percentage and speed index. Plant height, floral induction time, and plant dry matter at flowering were measured. Even when subjected to different solar radiation intensities, U. decumbens and C. echinatus seedlings emerged at all the sowing depths. Sowing between 2.0- and 4.0-cm depths favored the emergence of seedlings of U. decumbens and C. echinatus. However, sowing at 12-cm depth reduced the emergence of both species regardless of the solar radiation intensity. Urichloa decumbens plants grown under conditions of greater shading showed the lowest values of height and dry matter accumulation during flowering. High levels of shading facilitated only the etiolation of C. echinatus plants. Increased shading flowering time in both species compared to full sunlight.

Selectivity of herbicides applied to Brazilian tree species at post-emergence

The presence of weeds in silvicultural systems has been considered one of the main obstacles to the success of projects designed to recover degraded areas. The aim of this study was to evaluate the selectivity of herbicides applied at post-emergence in the initial growth of seedlings of capixingui (Croton floribundus), açoita-cavalo (Luehea divaricata), and guaritá (Astronium graveolens), in the municipalities of Jaboticabal and Junqueirópolis, state of São Paulo. The experimental design was completely randomized, with four replications, and the treatments consisted of herbicides (g a.i.·ha-1) clethodim + phenoxaprop-p-ethyl (50 + 50), sethoxydim (184), quizalofop-p-ethyl (75), nicosulfuron (50), fluazifop-p-butyl (125), fomesafen (225), haloxyfop-methyl (48), bentazon (720), chlorimuron-ethyl (15), in addition to control without herbicide. The characteristics analyzed were: plant height increase and visual phytointoxication at 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, and 42 days after herbicide application. At the end of the experiment, the shoots of the plants were removed to assess shoot dry matter. The herbicides clethodim + fenoxaprop-p-ethyl, fluazifop-p-butyl, and quizalofop-p-ethyl showed selective potential for the species capixingui, açoita-cavalo, and guaritá. The herbicide chlorimuron-ethyl caused mild intoxication symptoms when applied to seedlings of capixingui and açoita-cavalo; also, it was not selective for the guaritá species grown in Jaboticabal. All species showed selectivity to the herbicides sethoxydim, fomesafen, haloxyfop-methyl, and nicosulfuron, as their growth and initial development were not influenced. The herbicide bentazon caused high percentages of injury to açoita-cavalo plants in both cultivation places, but it did not influence the growth and development of the species.

Use of the imazapic herbicide applied alone or tank mix with imazapyr as growth regulator of lawns

Successive mowing are the major maintenance costs of lawns. Thus, both the expenditure with mowing and the visual and physiological aspect of the lawn have led to the search for alternatives to mechanical management. Thus, this work aimed to study the effects of different rates of imazapic herbicide applied alone or combined with imazapyr as a growth regulator of Bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum) and St. Augustine grass (Stenotaphrum secundatum). The experimental design was a randomized block with four replicates, and the treatments consisted of six rates of imazapic herbicide (35; 70; 105; 140; 175 and 210 g a.i. ha-1) for both species, three rates of imazapic + imazapyr in tank mix (15.57 + 5.25; 23.625 + 7.875; 32.5 + 10.5 g a.i. ha-1) for Bahiagrass and four rates of imazapic + imazapyr mixture (7.875 + 2.625; 15.57 + 5.25; 23.625 + 7.875; 32.5 + 10.5 g a.i. ha-1) for St. Augustine grass. The effect of the treatments was evaluated by observing visible injury symptoms, canopy height, height and number of inflorescences and total dry matter of clippings. Applications of imazapic alone or combined with imazapyr were effective in reducing plant height, number and height of inflorescences and total amount of dry matter of clippings produced by Bahiagrass plants. Imazapic provided satisfactory control of St. Augustine growth, but its utilization caused an increase in the number of inflorescences present in the lawns.