HERBICIDE SELECTIVITY TO SIGNAL GRASS AND CONGO GRASS

ABSTRACT This study was conducted in order to evaluate the selectivity of signal grass and congo grass, submitted to post-emergence herbicide application. The experiment was conducted under greenhouse conditions, in Diamantina, Minas Gerais state, and it was arranged in a randomized block design, with five replications. Treatments were set in factor scheme (8 x 2) + 2. Eight herbicides (nicosulfuron; clomazone; glyphosate; fluazifop-p-butyl + fomesafen; lactofen; fomesafen; fluazifop-p-butyl and mesotrione) were applied in doses recommended by the manufacturer on two fodder species: Brachiaria decumbens cv. Basilisk (signal grass) and Brachiaria ruziziensis (congo grass); in addition, there were two control samples without herbicide application, for a total of 18 treatments. The evaluated herbicides showed less intoxication on signal grass when compared to congo grass. Nicosulfuron and glyphosate promoted higher intoxication on both species when compared to the other herbicides. Glyphosate, fluazifop-p-butyl + fomesafen, fluazifop-p-butyl, mesotrione and nicosulfuron affected the ratio variable / maximum fluorescence (Fv/Fm) in both species, indicating an effect provided by these herbicides on the electron transport chain. Results demonstrated that signal grass and congo grass have higher susceptibility to glyphosate, fluazifop-p-butyl + fomesafen, fluazifop-p-butyl, mesotrione and nicosulfuron. congo grass shows higher susceptibility to the studied herbicides when compared to signal grass.