A greenhouse assay was conducted to evaluate na alternative method for applying oxyfluorfen to control annual weeds. The experiment was in 3 x 2 factorial, in a completely randomized design, with three replications. The factors were: three doses of oxyfluorfen (0, 480 and 960g/ha) and two methods to apply the herbicide to the soil surface (sprayed or soaked in paper sheet). The weeds studied were Bidens pilosa, Desmodium tortuosum, Eleusine indica, Sida rhombifolia, Amaranthus retroflexus, Acanthospermum hispidum and Digitaria horizontalis. Weed control was evaluated at 30, 45 and 60 days after the herbicide application (DAA). The application methods, as well as the doses showed excellent control of B. pilosa, D. tortuosum, E. indica, S. rhombifolia, D. horizontalis and A. retroflexus up to 60 DAA, reducing the density as well as the dry matter surplus. On A. hispidum, both methods and doses did not show good control. It was also observed that the paper utilized as the oxyfluorfen vehicle produced density reduction in B. pilosa, E. indica, D. horizontalis and A. retroflexus and induced the germination of S. rhombifolia and A. hispidum when evaluated at 60 DAA. These results demonstrated the viability of paper as the oxyfluorfen application vehicle.
Application tecnology; weeds