This study aimed to evaluate glyphosate efficiency in the control of Brachiaria brizantha, cv marandu, for Tifton-85 pasture formation. The experiment was carried out in the field in 10L capacity polyethylene pots, and arranged in a randomized block design, in a 2 x 8 factorial scheme, with two application times, eight glyphosate rates (0; 90, 180; 360; 720; 1,080; 1,440; and 1,800 g e.a. ha-1), and four replicates. Each plot had a vase with two B. brizantha cv. Marandu and two Tifton 85 plants. The first application time was before B. brizantha plant tillering, when the plants were 10cm high and the second one, when B. brizantha was around 20cm high and showed four or five tillers. For each application time, visual evaluations of B. brizantha control and intoxication in the Tifton85 plants were conducted at 15, 30 and 60 DAA (days of application). At 60 DAA, the plants were cut and dried in a greenhouse, and sprouts were evaluated at 60 DAC days after cut. Control percentage of 90% of B. Brizantha, at 60 DAA, was obtained with 133.60 g ha-1 in the first application and 365.63 g ha-1 in the second. At 60 DAA after the first and second application, respectively, low dosages of glyphosate (133.60 and 365.63 g ha-1), were observed to promote B. brizantha control with absence of sprouts at 60 DAC, and mild intoxication of Tifton 85 without influencing its yield. Due to the higher tolerance of Tifton 85 to glyphosate, it is possible to control B. brizantha by using low doses of glyphosate, without compromising Tifton 85 forage yield.
Brachiaria brizantha; herbicide; chemical control; tolerance
