WEED CONTROL IN “LL” MAIZE TOLERANT TO GLUFOSINATE-AMMONIUM

Abstract

The glufosinate-ammonium is an herbicide with contact action and, whenused in tolerant LL maize, requires associations with other products to improve the weed control spectrum and increase the residual period in the area. The aim of this work was to evaluate the efficacy and selectivity of glufosinate-ammonium, applied alone and in combination with other herbicides, for weed control in maize crops. The treatments consisted of two strategies. In the first one, the following herbicides were applied in pre-emergence conditions: atrazine, [atrazine + simazine], [atrazine + oil], [atrazine + S-metolachlor], and S-metolachlor; with the subsequent application of glufosinate-ammonium in post-emergence condition of maize. The second application method corresponded to the use of glufosinate-ammonium, alone and combined with nicosulfuron + mesotrione and the other products used in the first strategy, in addition to two control areas, being one weed-infested and the other weed-free. Phytotoxicity on maize and weed control were assessed. Ear insertion height, number of rows per ear, number of grains per row, thousand grain weight and maize yield were determined upon harvesting. The herbicides were effective and did not cause yield loss to the crop. The herbicides applied in combination with glufosinate-ammonium were efficient in regard to weed control and selective to maize.