Abstract
Foxtail millet (Setaria Italica L.) plays a principal role in food security in Africa and Asia, but it is sensitive to a variety of herbicides. This study was performed to clarify whether pyrazosulfuron-methyl can be used in foxtail millet fields and the effect of pyrazosulfuron-methyl on the photosynthetic performance of foxtail millet. Two foxtail millet varieties (Jingu 21 and Zhangzagu 10) were subjected to five doses (0, 15, 30, 60, and 120 g ai ha−1) of pyrazosulfuron-methyl in pot and field experiments. The plant height, leaf area, stem diameter, photosynthetic pigment contents, gas exchange parameters, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, antioxidant enzyme activities, and antioxidant contents at 7 and 15 days after pyrazosulfuron-methyl application, and the yield of foxtail millet were measured. The results suggested that pyrazosulfuron-methyl inhibited the growth of foxtail millet and reduced the photosynthetic pigment contents, photosynthetic rate, and photosynthetic system II activity. Similarly, pyrazosulfuron-methyl decreased the antioxidant enzyme activities and antioxidant contents. These results also indicated that the toxicity of pyrazosulfuron-methyl to foxtail millet was decreased gradually with the extension of time after application; however, the foxtail millet yield was still significantly reduced. Therefore, pyrazosulfuron-methyl is not recommended for application in foxtail millet fields.
Highlights
Foxtail millet (Setaria Italica L.) is a novel model species in C4 Gramineae crops (Hu et al, 2018)
At the initial stage of application, the recommended dose of pyrazosulfuronmethyl had severe phytotoxicity to both foxtail millet varieties, but the phytotoxicity gradually decreased over time, and the relief efficiency of Jingu 21 was slightly stronger than that of Zhangzagu 10
Pyrazosulfuron-methyl inhibited the growth of foxtail millet seedlings, which was reflected by reduced plant height, leaf area, and stem diameter
Summary
Foxtail millet (Setaria Italica L.) is a novel model species in C4 Gramineae crops (Hu et al, 2018). This species plays a vital role in the adjustment of the crop planting structure in China (Diao, 2007). Many types and high densities of weeds in fields impact the yield and quality of foxtail millet (Zhou et al, 2013). Chemical weeding is one of the most efficient means to control the harmfulness of weeds in modern agricultural production, but few herbicide varieties have been registered for use in foxtail millet fields. Screening of safe and efficient herbicides is crucial for chemical weeding in the fields of foxtail millet
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