The aim of this study was to assess the photosynthetic efficiency through electron transport rate (ETR) of six weed species and three sugarcane cultivars after application of the herbicide diuron in post-emergence. Plant cultivars PO8862, SP80-3280, and RB83-5486 were used, cut in buds and planted in pots with a capacity of 12 liters. Six weed species (Brachiaria decumbens, Digitaria horizontalis, Panicum maximum, Ipomoea grandifolia, Ipomoea hederifolia, and Merremia cissoides) were sown so as to obtain 25 plants per pot. Diuron was applied on the weeds and sugarcane in post-emergence at 3.0 kg ha-1 with the addition of 0.2% surfactant. Electron transport rate was evaluated in the photosystem of the plants after herbicide application was carried out with the aid of a portable fluorometer. ETR of the weed species was measured after intervals of 2, 4, 24, 48, 72, 96, and 144 hours after application. For the sugarcane cultivars, the intervals were: 2, 24, 48, 72, 120, 168, and 240hours after application. Reduced ETR values indicated the sensitivity of different varieties of sugarcane and weeds to diuron, with intoxication being detected before or without the presence of symptoms. Sensitivity of the sugarcane cultivars was classified in a decreasing order (PO8862, SP80-3280 and RB83-5486) and the most susceptible weed species were M. cissoides, I. grandifolia, and I. hederifolia, followed by grasses D. horizontalis, P. maximum, and B. decumbens.
fluorometer; photosynthesis; herbicide; selectivity
