Weeds maintained in reduced light intensity environments present remarkable morpho-physiological changes that may alter their reproductive behavior and tolerance to post-emergence herbicides. Our goal was to evaluate the efficiency of glyphosate doses in the management of Commelina benghalensis and Cyperus rotundus grown at different levels of shading. The work consisted of two trials for each species with the same experimental design, in a 5 x 3 factorial design with five herbicide doses (0, 540, 810, 1.080, and 1.350 gha-1 of glyphosate), three cultivation environments (0, 30, or 50% of shading) and four replicates. Experimental plots consisted of a vase with two plants of either C. benghalensis or C. rotundus. Control evaluations were carried out 10, 20, and 30 days after application (DAA) through visual observations. Tuber productivity was verified by direct counting of these propagules present in the roots of C. rotundus plants, while tuber viability was evaluated by germination test in a sand bed, and by tetrazolium, for the non-germinated tubers. Species control was more efficient in shade environments, contributing to a reduction of up to 25% of the recommended dose for the treated species, and resulting in a control of 81% for C. benghalensis and 100% for C. rotundus. Aerial part dry biomass and productivity and viability of tubers were affected by increase in shade level and glyphosate dose. Reduced light intensity - common in the under-story of tree and shrub cultures or in culture density - is an interesting practice aiming at suppressing C. benghalensis and C. rotundus, acting as a potential control of glyphosate.
ecophysiology; chemical control; tolerance; shade
