Abstract Background Amaranthus hybridus, a common agricultural weed in Brazil, has been associated with complications in the management of major crops. Recently, A. hybridus biotypes with suspected resistance to the herbicide glyphosate have been observed in the state of Paraná. Objective To characterize glyphosate-resistant Amaranthus hybridus biotypes. Methods Three independent experiments were conducted to evaluate four biotypes of A. hybridus. Twelve doses of glyphosate were applied, including 64D, 32D, 16D, 8D, 4D, 2D, D, 1/2D, 1/4D, 1/8D, 1/16D, and a control with no herbicide. The dose D of glyphosate applied was 1080 g ha-1 ae. Four replicates for each treatment and a randomized block design were used. At 28 (DAA), the control (%) and residual dry mass of each plot were analyzed. Results The biotypes with suspected resistance (R1, R2, and R3) had a GR50 in the range of 3019.13 to 3316.45 g ha-1 ae and LD50 in the range of 4081.52 to 4310.29 g ha-1 ae whereas the susceptible biotype had a GR50 of 227.63 g ha-1 ae and LD50 of 196.59 g ha-1 ae. Conclusions Biotypes R1, R2, and R3 are resistant to the herbicide glyphosate.

Abstract: Background: Amaranthus hybridus L. (Amaranthaceae) is an annual, dicotyledonous species that is considered one of the main weed infesting agricultural production systems. Some weeds species are considered host plants to insect pests, serving as “green bridges” for subsequent attacks on the main crop during the season, which can cause significant losses. Recording the occurrence of insects that can reach pest status is important for the deployment of mitigation measures against possible damage and economic losses to crops. The presence of Spodoptera eridania (Cramer) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) has not been previously registered in association with A. hybridus plants. Objective: Thus, the present study is the first report to describe the occurrence of S. eridania on A. hybridus in the municipality of Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil. Methods: Images of the larvae while feeding on A. hybrids were obtained using an Olympus® E-410 digital camera. The pictures were then sent to the Laboratory of Ecotoxicology and IPM (LEMIP) of the Department of Entomology of Lavras Federal University (UFLA) for species identification. Results: We observed S. eridania larvae larger than 7 cm feeding on the inflorescences and leaves of A. hybridus . Conclusions: This note reports the first occurrence of S. eridania larvae feeding on A. hybridus in the city of Piracicaba, SP, Brazil.

Abstract Background Species of Amaranthus genus are common in agricultural areas of Brazil. Such weeds are problematic, and they bring complexity to the management mainly due to herbicide resistance. Thus, the monitoring and mapping of chlorimuron-resistant Amaranthus spp. is necessary to detect resistance in different locations of Brazil. Objective Elaborate discriminating dose of distinction between Amaranthus spp. populations that are susceptible and resistant to chlorimuron and monitor the resistance dispersal throughout five crops. Methods 33 pigweed populations from the main grain producing properties in Brazil by means of dose-response curves were evaluated. For the D dose, chlorimuron dose of 20 g ha-1 ai was considered. Once the discriminating dose was identified, a monitoring screening of the dispersal of resistance of Amaranthus spp. to chlorimuron was conducted with 226 samples between the 2016 and 2020 crops. Results The discriminating dose (“base line”) considered ideal to control susceptible plants was 20 g ha-1 of chlorimuron. Among 226 pigweed samples evaluated in the five years of monitoring, 74% of populations were considered susceptible (S), while those classified as resistant (R) and segregating (r) did not exceed 26.0%. Conclusions By comparing susceptible biotypes of Amaranthus spp. with international scientific literature standards and leaflet averages, it could be safely concluded that the discriminating dose of chlorimuron is 20 g ha-1. Resistance of Amaranthus spp. to chlorimuron in Brazil is present in the main soybean producing regions evaluated, with a frequency of 26% of the total samples evaluated.

Abstract Conyza species are important weeds in global agriculture, especially due to their capacity to evolve resistance to multiple herbicide mechanisms of action. We aimed to evaluate the frequency and distribution of resistance to glyphosate and chlorimuron-ethyl in Conyza spp. populations from Brazil. Seed samples were collected from grain production areas across nine Brazilian states over five consecutive years (2014 to 2018). Prior to resistance monitoring trials, dose-response assays were conducted to determine a single dose of glyphosate or chlorimuron-ethyl to discriminate resistant and susceptible populations. Resistance monitoring based on plant responses to the application of discriminatory doses of glyphosate (960 g ha-1) or chlorimuron-ethyl (20 g ha-1). Populations were classified as resistant, moderately resistant, or susceptible to either herbicide. While glyphosate resistance was highly frequent (71.2%) in all the five years, chlorimuron-ethyl resistant populations occurred at 39.8% of the total. The frequency of multiple resistance to both herbicides (35.3%) was proportional to the occurrence of chlorimuron-ethyl resistance (39.6%). Resistance to glyphosate and to chlorimuron-ethyl were found across all states evaluated.

Este trabalho foi desenvolvido em campo, com o objetivo de avaliar a atividade residual de herbicidas recomendados para a cultura da cana-de-açúcar, quando aplicados ao solo na época seca. Os tratamentos foram organizados em esquema de parcelas subdivididas, em que, no âmbito das parcelas, foram aplicados seis herbicidas e, no âmbito das subparcelas, foram considerados três períodos de permanência dos produtos no solo (130 dias, 70 dias e testemunha, sem aplicação). Os tratamentos herbicidas foram (g ha-1): amicarbazone a 1260; clomazone a 1250; hexazinone a 450; imazapic a 147; isoxaflutole a 187,5; e sulfentrazone a 900. Além da infestação natural de plantas daninhas, para avaliação da atividade residual dos produtos, semeou-se pepino na área, considerado como bioindicador. A mesma molécula herbicida teve avaliação diferenciada em razão da espécie bioindicadora considerada. Os herbicidas amicarbazone, hexazinone, isoxaflutole e sulfentrazone têm propriedades positivas para aplicação ao solo em época seca, tais como elevada solubilidade, baixo Kow e baixa fotodegradação. A aplicação de imazapic em pré-emergência tem eficácia consistente em época seca, controlando adequadamente o pepino e a comunidade natural de plantas daninhas. O herbicida clomazone não controlou adequadamente o pepino e a comunidade natural de plantas daninhas.

This work was carried out in field conditions with the objective of evaluating residual activity of herbicides recommended to sugarcane crop, when applied to the soil in the dry season. Treatments were organized according to split-plot scheme, where six herbicides were applied to the plots and three periods of product permanence in the soil (130 days, 70 days and control without application) were placed in the split-plots. Herbicide treatments were (g ha-1): amicarbazone at 1260; clomazone at 1250; hexazinone at 450; imazapic at 147; isoxaflutole at 187.5; and sulfentrazone at 900. Besides the natural weed community, cucumber, considered as bioindicator, was sown in the area for the evaluation of the product residual activity. The same herbicide molecule had different evaluation as a function of the species. The herbicides amicarbazone, hexazinone, isoxaflutole and sulfentrazone show positive properties for soil application in the dry season, such as high solubility, low Kow and low photodegradation. Pre-emergence application of imazapic had consistent efficacy in the dry season, controlling satisfactorily the cucumber and the natural weed community. Clomazone did not control the cucumber and the weed natural community.

Com o objetivo de avaliar diferentes aspectos da participação do nitrogênio na indução de injúrias foliares e na eficácia do herbicida glyphosate, foram desenvolvidos três experimentos, sendo dois em casa de vegetação, com as espécies Avena strigosa e Ipomoea triloba + Sorghum halepense, e um em campo, com Brachiaria decumbens. Avaliou-se a aplicação de glyphosate combinado com ureia (U), com sulfato de amônio (SA) e com U+AS, além de fertilização prévia do solo com nitrogênio e pulverização de caldas concentradas com até 20% de N. A pulverização de caldas concentradas com até 20% de N não dessecou adequadamente as espécies A. strigosa e B. decumbens, provocando danos máximos de cerca de 30%. A utilização de solução de SA ou de U+SA como veículo de pulverização do glyphosate elevou o controle de I. triloba. As soluções nitrogenadas aceleraram a atividade do glyphosate para dessecação de S. halepense, porém, sem diferenças visíveis aos 28 dias após aplicação. A escolha da dose adequada de glyphosate (1.800 g ha-1) para dessecação de B. decumbens foi fundamental para obtenção de elevado controle, sendo que a única alternativa que elevou a eficácia da menor dose do produto foi a fertilização prévia do solo com 150 kg ha-1 de SA.

Three experiments were carried out, two in greenhouse and one in the field to evaluate different aspects of nitrogen participation in the induction of leaf injuries and glyphosate efficacy. Glyphosate was applied in combination with urea (U), ammonium sulfate (AMS) and U+AMS; following N soil fertilization and spray solutions with N concentrations up to 20%. Application of nitrogen spray solutions did not provide satisfactory desiccation of the different plant species, reaching maximum damage of about 30%. The use of AMS or U+AMS as a spray vehicle for glyphosate application increased control of morning glory (Ipomoea triloba L.). Nitrogen solutions accelerated glyphosate-desiccation of Johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense L.), however with no visible differences at 28 days after application. The choice of adequate glyphosate rate (1,800 g ha-1) for Brachiaria decumbens Stapf desiccation was fundamental for reaching high control, and the only alternative that enhanced the efficacy of glyphosate lower rate was the previous fertilization of the soil with 150 kg ha-1 of ammonium sulfate.

Este trabalho foi desenvolvido com o objetivo de realizar triagem primária para caracterização da tolerância de variedades SP e CTC de cana-de-açúcar à aplicação de dez herbicidas comumente recomendados para manejo de plantas daninhas nesta cultura. Dois experimentos foram desenvolvidos com esquema fatorial entre variedades de cana-de-açúcar e onze tratamentos herbicidas. No primeiro experimento utilizaram-se sete variedades SP (fatorial 7 x 11): SP80-1842, SP80-3280, SP83-2847, SP87-344, SP87-396, SP89-1115 e SP90-3414. No segundo experimento, foram avaliadas seis variedades CTC (fatorial 6 x 11): CTC1, CTC2, CTC3, CTC4, CTC5 e CTC6. Os tratamentos herbicidas aplicados em pós-emergência inicial foram: ametryn, ametryn + trifloxysulfuron-sodium, clomazone, diuron + hexazinone, isoxaflutole, imazapic, 2,4-D, tebuthiuron, sulfentrazone, MSMA e testemunha sem aplicação. Avaliou-se massa fresca, altura, teor de clorofila (índice SPAD) e perfilhamento, todos em termos percentuais relativos à testemunha sem aplicação. Constatou-se tolerância diferencial das variedades de cana-de-açúcar aos herbicidas comumente utilizados na cultura. As variedades SP80-3280 e CTC2 foram as mais tolerantes aos tratamentos herbicidas, podendo ter esta característica explorada em programas de melhoramento genético.

This work was carried out with the objective of screening for tolerance response of SP and CTC sugarcane varieties to application of ten herbicides commonly recommended to weed management in this crop. Two trials were evaluated with factorial design between the sugarcane varieties and eleven herbicide treatments. In the first experiment, seven SP varieties were used (factorial 7 x 11): SP80-1842, SP80-3280, SP83-2847, SP87-344, SP87-396, SP89-1115 and SP90-3414. In the second experiment, six CTC varieties were evaluated (factorial 6 x 11): CTC1, CTC2, CTC3, CTC4, CTC5 and CTC6. The post-emergence-applied herbicide treatments were: ametryn, ametryn + trifloxysulfuron-sodium, clomazone, diuron + hexazinone, isoxaflutole, imazapic, 2,4-D, tebuthiuron, sulfentrazone, MSMA and check without application. The variables evaluated were: fresh mass, height, SPAD index and tillering: Valves here considered as relative percentage to the untreated control. Differential tolerance of sugarcane varieties was observed regarding to application of the tested herbicides. SP80-3280 and CTC2 were the most tolerant varieties to herbicide application, and might have this characteristic exploited by sugarcane breeding programs.

A incidência de hastes ocas em brócolis (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica Plenck) depende de vários fatores que afetam a absorção e o transporte de B, elemento responsável pelo aparecimento dessa desordem fisiológica. O trabalho avaliou os efeitos de quatro níveis de nitrogênio e dois níveis de boro e da interação entre eles na incidência de hastes ocas e na produção de brócolis. As doses de N (100, 150, 200 e 250 kg ha-1) foram divididas em quatro aplicações iguais aos 15, 30, 45 e 60 dias após o transplante. O boro (0, 4 e 8 kg ha-1) foi aplicado metade no plantio e a outra metade em cobertura aos 45 dias após o transplante. A massa média das inflorescências e a produção total foram diminuídas com a aplicação de B em função do crescimento mais lento das plantas provocado pela toxicidade desse elemento. Contudo, nas áreas não adubadas com B, a porcentagem de plantas com hastes ocas foi, em média, de 44,14%, sendo que a incidência dessa anomalia sofreu drástica redução com a aplicação de B, onde a maior dose (8 kg ha-1) resultou em apenas 4,52% de inflorescências afetadas. Doses de N superiores a 215,4 kg ha-1 aumentaram o número de plantas com hastes ocas somente nas áreas que não receberam B.

The incidence of hollow stem in broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. var. italica Plenck) depends on several factors that affect the absorption and transport of boron, which is the element responsible for the appearance of this physiological disorder. This study evaluated the effects of four levels of nitrogen and two levels of boron and the interaction between them in the incidence of hollow stem and yield of broccoli. The levels of N (100, 150, 200 and 250 kg ha-1) were divided into four applications equal to 15, 30, 45, and 60 days after transplant. Half of the boron (0, 4 and 8 kg ha-1) was applied at planting and half in coverage at 45 days after transplanting. Average mass and total yield were reduced with B application, as a result of the slower growth of plants, having been caused by the onset of symptoms of toxicity of this element. However, in areas not fertilized with B, the percentage of plants with hollow stems was on average 44.14%, while the incidence of this anomaly suffered drastic reduction in B application, where the highest level (8 kg ha-1) resulted in only 4.52% of affected inflorescences. Levels of more than 215.4 kg ha-1 of N have increased the number of plants with hollow stems only in areas that did not receive B.

A seletividade dos herbicidas é uma tecnologia agrícola que tem sido vastamente explorada nas estratégias de controle químico de plantas daninhas. É resultado da ação conjunta de diversos mecanismos que protegem a cultura da fitotoxicidade dos tratamentos herbicidas, mantendo-a com níveis de injúrias aceitáveis agronomicamente, ou mesmo na ausência destas. O principal mecanismo de seletividade dos herbicidas é o metabolismo diferencial desses produtos entre plantas daninhas e cultivadas, em que, nas situações de recomendação agronômica, as plantas daninhas são menos hábeis em realizá-lo. Neste caso, a fitotoxicidade pode ser entendida como a suplantação da capacidade máxima de proteção oferecida pelos mecanismos de seletividade ou, considerando o metabolismo como o principal mecanismo, como a superação da capacidade intrínseca da espécie em detoxificar determinada molécula. Considerando-se que o metabolismo de herbicidas envolve gasto de energia, os sintomas de fitotoxicidade caracterizam um segundo gasto energético que não deve ser aceito como uma resposta fisiológica natural, portanto pode resultar em perdas de rendimento das culturas. Para evitar ou minimizar as perdas ou injúrias às culturas, é necessário que as recomendações de herbicidas sejam baseadas em trabalhos de seletividade conduzidos com adequado rigor experimental; bem como é importante a conscientização dos agricultores quanto a melhor forma de utilizar cada produto.

Herbicide selectivity is an agricultural technology largely exploited in chemical strategies of weed control. The joint action of several protection mechanisms avoids phytotoxicity from herbicide treatment, maintaining the level of agronomically accepted damage to a minimum, or even totally avoiding them. The major mechanism of herbicide selectivity derives from the differential metabolism between weed and crop plant species, with weeds presenting a limited ability to perform it under agronomically recommended conditions. In this case, phytotoxicity can be interpreted as an overcoming of the maximum protection capacity offered by the mechanisms of selectivity, or when considering metabolism as the main factor, the overcoming of the inherent plant ability to detoxify a particular molecule. Considering that herbicide metabolism requires energy disposal, symptoms of phytotoxicity characterize an additional waste of energy that should not be accepted as a natural physiologic response; therefore it might result in yield losses. To avoid or minimize crop losses or damages, it is required that herbicide application recommendations are based on results from rigorously conducted selectivity experiments, as well as that there is an increase in the awareness of growers about the best use of each product.

Este trabalho foi desenvolvido com o objetivo de avaliar a eficácia do herbicida glifosato, para a dessecação de trapoeraba (Commelina benghalensis) e outras plantas daninhas, quando combinado a diferentes concentrações de sulfato de amônio ou uréia. Foram conduzidos três experimentos com tratamentos semelhantes: dois em campo e um em casa de vegetação. Os tratamentos aplicados em campo foram: glifosato (360 g ha-1 de e.a.), isolado ou acrescido de quatro concentrações de sulfato de amônio (2,5, 5, 10 e 20 g L-1) ou uréia (1,5, 3, 6 e 12 g L-1); glifosato a 720 g ha-1 de e.a., aplicado isoladamente; e testemunha sem aplicação. Em casa de vegetação, para o controle específico da trapoeraba, as doses de glifosato foram elevadas para 720 (isolado e nas combinações) e 1.440 g ha-1 de e.a. A adição de sulfato de amônio à calda do glifosato elevou o controle das plantas daninhas em campo, para as concentrações com até 10 g L-1. O herbicida glifosato não foi eficaz no controle da trapoeraba, em nenhumas das doses usadas. A adição de uréia não promoveu incrementos de controle em condição de campo; porém, para concentrações de até 6 g L-1, melhorou o controle da trapoeraba, na avaliação conduzida aos 28 dias após aplicação.

This work was developed with the objective of evaluating glyphosate efficacy for Bengal dayflower (Commelina benghalensis) and other weeds desiccation, when combined to different concentrations of ammonium sulfate or urea. Three experiments were carried out with similar treatments: two in field conditions and one in greenhouse. Treatments applied in field conditions were: glyphosate at 360 g ha-1 a.e., isolated or combined to four concentrations of ammonium sulfate (2.5, 5, 10, and 20 g L-1) or urea (1.5, 3, 6, and 12 g L-1); glyphosate at 720 g ha-1 a.e., applied isolately; and checks without application. In greenhouse, for the specific control on Bengal dayflower, glyphosate rates were increased to 720 (isolated or in combination) and to 1,440 g ha-1 a.e. Ammonium sulfate addition to glyphosate spray solution increased field weed control, when concentrations up to 10 g L-1 were used. None of the glyphosate rates were efficient to control Bengal dayflower. Urea addition to spray solution did not improve weed control in field conditions; however, it increased Bengal dayflower control for concentrations up to 6 g L-1, at the evaluation after 28 days of application.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi comparar o crescimento e a habilidade competitiva de dois biótipos de capim-colchão (Digitaria ciliaris), um resistente (R) e outro suscetível (S) aos herbicidas inibidores da acetil coenzima A carboxilase. O crescimento dos biótipos foi determinado pela coleta da matéria seca das plantas, aos 14, 21, 25, 28, 34, 42, 49, 57, 65, 72, 78, 86, 101, 111 e 118 dias após emergência (DAE). Os dados de massa de matéria seca foram ajustados ao modelo logístico e, também, utilizados para a obtenção da taxa de crescimento absoluto. Para avaliar a habilidade competitiva intra-específica e interespecífica, foram instalados cinco experimentos com o uso do método substitutivo. Compararam-se os biótipos R e S entre si e cada um destes com a cultura da soja, quando semeada no mesmo dia ou sete dias após a semeadura das plantas daninhas. As proporções de plantas entre as espécies ou biótipos utilizados foram: 5:0; 4:1; 3:2; 2:3; 1:4 e 0:5. Os biótipos de capim-colchão apresentaram acúmulo de matéria seca, crescimento absoluto e competição interespecífica semelhantes, e a redução da matéria seca da soja foi similar na presença dos biótipos R e S, o que sugere que ambos os biótipos de capim-colchão possuem a mesma adaptabilidade ecológica.

The objective of this work was to compare the growth and the competitive ability of two crabgrass (Digitaria ciliaris) biotypes, one resistant (R) and other susceptible (S) to the acetyl coenzyme A carboxylase inhibiting herbicides. Biotypes growth was determined by collecting the plant dry mass at 14, 21, 25, 28, 34, 42, 49, 57, 65, 72, 78, 86, 101, 111, and 118 days after emergence (DAE). Data of dry mass were adjusted to a logistic model, and were also used to calculate the absolute growth rate. Five experiments were installed to evaluate the intraspecific and interspecific competitive ability, using the substitutive method. The biotypes R and S were compared between themselves and each one of them with the soybean crop seeded in the same day or seven days after the seeding of the weeds. Plant proportions between species or biotypes used were: 5:0; 4:1; 3:2; 2:3; 1:4, and 0:5. The biotypes presented similar dry mass accumulation, absolute growth rate and interspecific competition, and the reduction of soybean mass was similar in the presence of R and S crabgrass biotypes, which suggests that R and S crabgrass biotypes have the same ecological adaptability.

A freqüente aplicação de herbicidas em áreas agrícolas pode selecionar resistência em biótipos de plantas daninhas, cujas características biológicas influenciam na velocidade e nos padrões da resistência. Este trabalho foi conduzido com o objetivo de caracterizar, simultaneamente, o padrão de resistência e a susceptibilidade diferencial de biótipos de Bidens pilosa e B. subalternans aos herbicidas inibidores da ALS dos grupos químicos das imidazolinonas e sulfoniluréias. Para tanto, seis biótipos de picão-preto, quatro supostamente resistentes e dois sabidamente suscetíveis, foram submetidos à aplicação de oito doses de chlorimoron-ethyl ou imazethapyr, em condição de casa-de-vegetação. Avaliou-se o controle e a massa fresca percentual das plantas aos 28 dias após a aplicação. B. subalternans é menos suscetível aos herbicidas inibidores da ALS que B. pilosa; os biótipos de B. subalternans mostraram-se mais resistentes que o biótipo de B. pilosa; há ocorrência de biótipos de B. pilosa e B. subalternans com resistência cruzada aos herbicidas inibidores da ALS do grupo das sulfoniluréias e imidazolinonas; há padrões diferenciados de resistência cruzada de picão-preto aos diversos grupos de herbicidas inibidores da ALS.

The frequent application of herbicides in agricultural areas may select resistant biotypes in weed populations, whose biological characteristics influence the speed and patterns of resistance. This research aims to charactere, simultaneously, resistance patterns and differential susceptibility of Bidens pilosa and B. subalternans biotypes to ALS-inhibiting herbicides of the imidazolinone and sulfonylurea chemical groups. Six hairy beggarticks biotypes, four suspected resistant and two known susceptible, were treated with eight rates of chlorimuron-ethyl or imazethapyr, in greenhouse conditions. Percent control and percent fresh weight of the plants were evaluated at 28 days after the application. B. subalternans is less susceptible to ALS-inhibiting herbicides than B. pilosa; B. subalternans biotypes were more resistant than B. pilosa biotypes; there are B. pilosa and B. subalternans biotypes with cross resistance to the ALS-inhibiting herbicides of the sulfonylurea and imidazolinone groups; there are different patterns of cross resistance to the diverse groups of ALS-inhibiting herbicides.

Este trabalho foi desenvolvido com o objetivo de verificar a seletividade de herbicidas aplicados em pós-emergência da cultura do milho (Zea mays L.) quando misturados em tanque com inseticidas utilizados no controle de Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith). O experimento foi realizado com milho safrinha, semeado em fevereiro de 2004, usando o híbrido AGN 2012, em sistema convencional. O delineamento experimental foi do tipo blocos ao acaso com parcelas subdividas no modelo de testemunha dupla, quatro repetições e 15 tratamentos. Os tratamentos foram constituídos pela combinação de três níveis do fator herbicida (g ha-1): mesotrione (120) + atrazine (1500) + Assist 0,5%, nicosulfuron (20) + atrazine (1500) e testemunha capinada; com cinco níveis do fator inseticida: lambdacyhalothrin (10), chlorpyrifos CE (240), chlorpyrifos EC (225), lambdacyhalothrin + thiamethoxam (12,5 + 5,5) e testemunha sem aplicação de inseticidas. Foram observados sintomas de fitotoxicidade moderados para os tratamentos com mesotrione e severos para os de nicosulfuron causados pela interação desses herbicidas com o inseticida chlorpyrifos (formulações CE e EC) que, contudo, não se refletiram em reduções de produtividade.

The selectivity of post-emergence applied herbicides in the corn crop (Zea mays L.) when mixed in tank with insecticides used to control Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) was verified. The experiment was carried out in off-season maize, seeded in February 2004, using the hybrid AGN 2012, in conventional system. The experimental design was randomized blocks with split-plots scheme, on double check model, four replicates and 15 treatments. The treatments were constituted by the combination of three levels of the factor herbicide (g ha-1): mesotrione (120) + atrazine (1500) + Assist 0,5%, nicosulfuron (20) + atrazine (1500) and hand-weeded checks; with five levels of the factor insecticide: lambdacyhalothrin (10), chlorpyrifos CE (240), chlorpyrifos EC (225), lambdacyhalothrin + thiamethoxam (12,5 + 5,5) and checks without insecticide application. Moderate phytotoxic symptoms were observed to mesotrione treatments and severe symptoms were observed to nicosulfuron caused by the interaction of these herbicides with the insecticide chlorpyrifos (formulations CE and EC). No yield losses were recorded as due to phytotoxicity.

O capim-camalote (Rottboelia exaltata L.f.) é uma planta daninha com rápida disseminação nas áreas canavieiras do Brasil, causando significativas perdas de produtividade na cultura. Assim, esta pesquisa teve por objetivo avaliar o crescimento, o desenvolvimento vegetativo e a capacidade reprodutiva do capim-camalote, como mecanismo de melhoria do manejo a ser adotado. O experimento foi desenvolvido em casa de vegetação da ESALQ/USP, entre julho e outubro de 2004, quando foram realizadas 14 avaliações periódicas de crescimento, determinando-se: massa fresca e seca (total, parte aérea e raízes), área foliar e fenologia das plantas. Realizou-se a contagem do número de rácemos florais de 16 plantas e do número de sementes de 100 rácemos após florescimento. Pôde-se observar um rápido crescimento inicial das plantas, de tal forma que o início do florescimento ocorreu aos 49 dias após a semeadura. No fim do ciclo, verificaram-se nas plantas valores próximos a 120 g, 25 g e 1.600 cm² de massa fresca total, massa seca total e área foliar, respectivamente. Na ocasião das contagens, as plantas haviam emitido, em média, o total de 163 rácemos com 12 sementes cada uma, o que corresponde a mais de 2.000 sementes por planta. Pelos resultados alcançados verifica-se elevada capacidade de crescimento e habilidade reprodutiva do capim-camalote, explicando as razões que fazem dessa planta daninha um novo problema em potencial para a agricultura brasileira.

Itchgrass (Rottboelia exaltata L.f.) is a weed that has presented fast dissemination in sugar-cane fields in Brazil, causing significant yield losses to the crop. Therefore, this research had the objective of evaluating the growth, vegetative development and reproductive capacity of the species, as a mechanism of improving the management to be adopted. The experiment was conducted in the greenhouse of ESALQ/USP, Piracicaba, State of São Paulo, Brazil, during the months of July to October 2004; when 14 periodic evaluations of growth were done, for determination of: fresh and dry weight (total, shoot and roots), leaf area and phenology. After flowering, the number of racemes of 16 plants, and the number of seeds of 100 racemes were evaluated. It was observed a fast initial growth of the plants, once the flowering occurred 49 days after seeding. About the end of the cycle, plants showed values near than 120 g, 25 g and 1600 cm² of total fresh weight, total dry weight and leaf area, respectively. On average, plants emitted a total of 163 racemes with 12 seeds each, that corresponds to more than 2,000 seeds per plant. These results showed the high growth capacity and reproductive hability of R. exaltata, explaining the reasons that make this weed a new potential problem for Brazilian agriculture.