Use of a wiper applicator for the control of the invasive species Eragrostis plana with glyphosate salts

Abstract:

Background:

Eragrostis plana is an invasive plant in native grassland areas associated with degradation of the Pampa biome. Selective control of E. plana is difficult due to its similarity to other grassland species. There is a lack of information about E. plana control using selective herbicide application equipment.

Objective:

The present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a pressurize rope wick applicator for controlling the invasive plant E. plana as function of different salts of glyphosate, application volumes, and year seasons.

Methods:

The studies were carried out under field conditions and repeated. The first study evaluated glyphosate salts of isopropylamine, dimethylamine, monoammonium, diammonium, and potassium at doses of 720 and 1440 g ha^-1 and clethodim at 60 and 120 g ha^-1. The second study assessed application volumes of 8, 24, 40, and 56 L ha^-1 using isopropylamine and potassium salts of glyphosate.

Results:

Glyphosate applied in summer was more effective at controlling E. plana, with less regrowth than glyphosate application in winter. The glyphosate diammonium was more effective at controlling E. plana than isopropylamine, dimethylamine, monoammonium, or potassium salt formulations at 1440 g ha^-1. Application volume of glyphosate between 8 and 40 L ha^-1 provided similar control of E. plana and pasture selectivity.

Conclusions:

Glyphosate applied with a rope wick selective applicator was effective in controlling E. plana clumps and was selective to grassland. The control efficacy varied as a function of glyphosate salts and year season, but not due to application volume of 8 and 40 L ha^-1.

Keywords:
Campo Limpo^®; grassland; invasive plants; Pampa Biome; South African lovegrass