Chemical management of Cyperus rotundus L. and other weeds at sugarcane in PSS system

ABSTRACT

Among the main weeds with difficult to control in the sugarcane fields can be cited purple nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus L.). This specie was observed in the seed bank in sugarcane fields harvested with or without burning. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of herbicides in pre-sprouted seedlings (PSS) of sugarcane in the control of C. rotundus and other weeds. The work was carried out in the field, in a randomized complete block design, and four replications. The treatments corresponded to the herbicides applied in pre-planting: sulfentrazone (800 g a.i. ha-1), diclosulam (193.17 g a.i. ha-1), imazapic (133 g a.i. ha-1) and imazapyr (500 g a.e. ha-1); post-planting: halosulfuron (112.5 g a.i. ha-1), ethoxysulfuron (135 g a.i. ha-1), MSMA (1,975 g a.i. ha-1) and 2,4-D (1,340 g a.e. ha-1); besides a control treatment weeding and another without weeding. The symptoms of injury on sugarcane plants, percentage of weed control, variables related to agronomic performance of sugarcane, and yield were evaluated. The herbicides diclosulam, imazapic, and imazapyr caused serious damage to the crop. The halosulfuron, ethoxysulfuron, MSMA, and 2,4-D did not cause symptoms of injury to sugarcane, however, the treatments had a reduced yield due to the low weed control. The sulfentrazone treatment obtained the second highest yield but with effective weed control (>70%) up to 45 days after planting. The best controls were obtained with pre-planting treatments; however, herbicide positioning studies should be performed in relation to PSS.