Abstract

ROSALES-ROBLES, Enrique; SANCHEZ-DE LA CRUZ, Ricardo  and  RODRIGUEZ-DEL BOSQUE, L. Ángel. Nozzle type does not change herbicide effectiveness of prosulfuron, bromoxynil and 2,4-D. Agrociencia [online]. 2013, vol.47, n.3, pp.245-253. ISSN 2521-9766.

A common problem in northern Tamaulipas is herbicide drift to non-target areas caused by wind while spraying on grain sorghum [ Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench]. Wind reduces the quality of spraying and drift causes damage to crops susceptible to applied herbicides. In field experiments conducted from 2006 to 2008 the effect of nozzle types was evaluated: conventional flat fan, anti-drift pre-orifice and anti-drift air induction, on the effectiveness of the herbicides prosulfuron, bromoxynil and 2,4-D, used for broadleaf weed control in grain sorghum. There were no significant effects in herbicide action due to nozzle type. Prosulfuron (17 g ha^-1) showed betrer control (97 %) of common sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) than 2,4-D (720 g ha^-1; 94 %) and bromoxynil (480 g ha^-1; 92 %). With prosulfuron and 2,4-D, there was adequate control (91 to 94 %) of Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri S. Wats), while only 2,4-D adequately controlled (90 %) silverleaf nightshade (Solanum elaeagnifolium Cav.). 2,4-D decreased sorghum yield (p≤0.05) by 11 %, compared with prosulfuron, which caused only slight damage to the crop. Anti-drift nozzles are suitable tools for reducing physical drift of post-emergent herbicides applied on grain sorghum since they do not alter their weed control effectiveness.

Keywords : Amaranthus palmeri; anti-drift nozzles; Helianthus annuus; herbicides; Solanum elaeagnifolium; sorghum.