The response of nine cotton cultivars economically important in the state of Mato Grosso was evaluated in relation to the toxicity caused by reduced rates of glyphosate. The cotton cultivars used were Fabrika, Makina, ITA-90, FM 986, FM 966, Delta Opal, BRS Facual, Antares and Coodetec 407. The plants were cultivated in plastic pots filled with soil substratum and kept under greenhouse conditions. Glyphosate application was performed 20 days post emergence, at which time they presented four true leaves. Reduced rates of glyphosate, simulating drift, ranged from 270 and 540 g. A control was also used, without herbicide application to compare the effects. Weekly evaluations were accomplished up to 42 days after application (DAA). During this period, plant height was also measured. Visual symptoms began 3 DAA, with the appearance of yellow spots at the tips of the youngest leaves, followed by withering at the apex of the plants. At the rate of 270 g ha-1, these symptoms showed low intensity but at the rate of 540 g ha-1 the symptoms caused "worrisome" to "very high'' toxicity, in most of the cases. BRS Facual and FM 986 were the most susceptible. Plant height was the most affected when the lowest glyphosate dose was applied. All cultivars treated with 270 g ha-1 glyphosate rate until 42 DAA were recovered. Fabrika, Coodetec 407, BRS Facual and ITA-90 cultivars, when treated with 540 g ha-1 glyphosate were more sensitive, presenting a height reduction between 84 and 90% 42 DAA. The less sensitive cultivars at the rate of 270 g ha-1 glyphosate were not the same at the 540 g ha-1 rate.
Gossypium hirsutum; simulation; drift; herbicide; phytotoxicity
