Herbicide application has increased considerably in the Brazilian agriculture over the last years, either for weed management or crop desiccation. The intensive use of herbicide shas brought risks of drift in sensitive neighbor crops. Drift effects on crops susceptible to herbicides is not well quantified in several situations. The objective of this study was to evaluate the injuries caused by simulated herbicide drift on the initial phase of growth of the maize crop. Two herbicides with five concentrations of simulated drift were used: 2, 4, 6, 8 and 12% of the recommended rate (1,440 g ha-1 of glyphosate and 400 g ha-1 of paraquat), sprayed over the top foliage of the maize triple hybrid BRS 3123. Plant height, leaf area, dry weight, leaf chlorophyll content and visual symptoms of injury were evaluated at flowering time. Final stand, ear weight, 1,000 grains weight and grain production. Plant height, leaf area, leaf chlorophyll content and dry weight were not affected by simulated drifts in both years (1996/97 and 1997/98), except the leaf area in 1997/98, which had a reduction especially in the treatment where 12% of the glyphosate rate was used. In general, the results for the other traits were similar in both years in which the trials were carried out. At harvesting time, final stand and weight of 1,000 grains were not affected by simulated drifts, whereas ear weight and grain production were severely affected. The degree of visual injuries evaluated through percentage of plants injured by drift at 7, 14 and 21 days after herbicide application showed significant differences. The major damages were observed with the greater dosage of simulated drift. Weight of 1,000 grains was not affected, whereas ears and grain production were severely affected. Herbicide drift in high concentrations affected the plant development and reduced grain production while application of glyphosate and paraquat in low concentrations (2-4% of the recommended rate) did not affect plant development nor grain production.
toxicity; herbicides; desiccation; Zea mays
