CHEMICAL CONTROL OF GARDEN SPURGE MATURE PLANTS (Chamaesyce hirta) IN THE FIELD

Abstract

Chamaesyce hirta is a troublesome weed in producing regions of Brazil; however, little is knownabout the control of adult plants. We evaluated the control of adult Chamaesyce hirta plants in the field. Theexperiment was installed at COACEN, municipality of Sorriso - MT, in a randomized complete block design, withfour replicates. Treatments were arranged in a split plot factor, where plots received the application of 19 herbicidesin burndown and subplots received the sequential application of paraquat, glufosinate ammonium, or no herbicide,nine days after the first application. Visual control evaluations were performed at 7, 14, 21 and 28 days after thefirst application and at 5, 12 and 19 days after the second application. Sequential applications increased the levelof control of most treatments. Isolated glyphosate applications, without sequential application did not control C.hirta. The addition of saflufenacil to glyphosate + 2,4-D mixture provides effective control with a single application.The mixture of glyphosate + 2,4-D provided better control than glyphosate + chlorimuron-ethyl and was efficientin controlling adult C. hirta plants, when used with sequential application of paraquat and ammonium glufosinate.