Growth, development, and chlorophyll indexes of glyphosate and glufosinate-tolerant maize under herbicide application

Abstract

Glyphosate, glufosinate, and atrazine do not affect the growth and development of glyphosate and glufosinate-tolerant (RR2/LL) maize; however, the results are less consolidated for these herbicides applied in mixtures. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of post-emergent application of glyphosate, glufosinate, and atrazine, alone and in mixtures, on the growth and development of the RR2/LL maize. The treatments consisted of the application of glyphosate (1080 g of acid equivalent [ae] ha-1), glufosinate (500 g of active ingredient [ai] ha-1), atrazine (2000 g [ai] ha-1), glyphosate + glufosinate, glyphosate + atrazine, glufosinate + atrazine, glyphosate + glufosinate + atrazine, and the control (without application). The experiment was carried out in two locations under greenhouse conditions with different maize hybrids. Crop injury and variables of the agronomic performance (height, stem diameter, chlorophyll indexes, fresh and dry weight of shoot, root dry weight, and total dry weight) were evaluated. Herbicides applied alone or in binary mixtures did not cause major damage. However, the application of the three associated herbicides in some situations might result in detrimental effects on the development of the RR2/LL maize.