Morpho-Architectural Traits that Allow the Regeneration of Eustachys retusa (poaceae) in Systems with Intensive Glyphosate Application

Abstract

ABSTRACT Eustachys retusa has low sensitivity to glyphosate at the reproductive stage. The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of glyphosate on adult E. retusa plants in order to identify the traits that make possible their regeneration in no-tillage systems. For this purpose, reproductive-stage specimens from wild populations were treated with glyphosate at two different rates (480 and 1,200 g a.i. ha-1) including a non-treated control. Results demonstrated that glyphosate could control E. retusa plants at reproductive stage at 1,200 g a.i. ha-1 dose. However, a certain proportion of plants can survive despite having full chlorosis as a consequence of basal bud activation (bud bank) and the presence of reserves in the rhizome. These combinations of morphological traits facilitate the recovery of foliar mass in some plants after the application of the herbicide. This behavior represents a serious problem because E. retusa plants retain the ability to regrow. This shows that, E. retusa management at reproductive stage must be complemented with other cultural and/or chemical tactics.