The objective of this work was to evaluate coconut fruit and leaf drop after glyphosate application. The experiment was carried out in Neopolis, Sergipe from August to September 2007. The experimental area was composed by 11-year-old coconut plants of the variety green-dwarf, irrigated with micro-sprinklers. The experiment was arranged in a completely randomized design with five replicates, and the treatments were arranged in a 3 x 3 + 1 factorial scheme, with three herbicide doses (3,4; 6,8; and 13,6 g per plant), three modes of herbicide application (on the trunk, from the base up to 1m in height; on the soil, around the canopy, within a 2m radius; and a combination of these two modes) plus an additional control treatment with no herbicide application. During four weeks, at 7, 14, 21, and 28 days after treatment application (DAA), the number of fruit dropped for bunches no.11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, and 19, and for the dropped leaves were counted. At 35 DAA, the number of marketable fruit in bunches no.18 and 19 was determined. Up to 28 DAA, glyphosate did not influence the drop of fruits and leaves, regardless of the mode of application, with no effect of this herbicide being observed on the number of marketable fruit collected at the first harvest following application.
Cocos nucifera; herbicide; glycine derivatives
