This work aimed at evaluating the effects of sublethal rates of 2,4-D in tobacco plants. Field experiments were carried out at Santa Isabel do Ivaí (PR) during 2003 in areas cropped with Virginia-type tobacco. For the first trial, plants were sprayed at the pre-flowering stage, at rates of 0.84; 1.68; 3.36; 6.72; 13.44 and 26.88 g a.e. ha-1 of 2,4-D, equivalent to drifts of 0.125; 0.25; 0.5; 1.0; 2.0 and 4.0% of commercial herbicides applied at 1.0 L ha-1 (670 g a.e. ha-1). For the second trial, treatments were composed by a factorial combination of two rates (6.72 and 13.44 g a.e. ha-1, equivalent to 1.0 and 2.0% drifts) and three stages of crop development at the application of 2,4-D. No meaningful visual symptom was observed within the range of rates applied. Visually, some of the eventual effects attributed to phytotoxicity caused by 2,4-D drift to tobacco plants may be associated to sucker suppressing chemicals use in crop. None of the applied rates at first trial provided crop yield or quality damages. Tobacco plants were tolerant up to 4.0% of 2,4-D simulated drift. Results obtained at second trial agreed with these data, and plants were tolerant up to 2.0% of simulated drift (13.44 g a.e. ha-1). Rates < 2.0% applied at three different crop development stages after transplantation to field do not cause any crop yield damage.
phenoxy herbicides; phytotoxicity; sublethal rates
