EFFECT OF SOME HERBICIDES ON SORGHUM SEEDLING CHARACTERS, WEED CONTROL AND SEED BORNE FUNGI

Abstract

Two field experiments were conducted at Sakha Agriculture Research Station, Agriculture Research Center, Kafr El-sheikh Governorate, Egypt during 2012 and 2013 seasons to determine the effect of some herbicides on seedlings characters and its reflection on plant growth and yield of sorghum. Each experiment included seven treatments in a complete randomized block design. Results revealed that five herbicides i.e. acetochlor at 900 g a.i/fed (Vern 90% EC), acetochlor at 840 g a.i/fed (Harness 84% EC), pendimthalin at 773.5 g a.i./fed (Stomp Extra 45.5% CS), butralin at 1200 g a.i./fed (Amex 48% EC) and metribuzin at 210 g a.i./fed (Metribuzin El-Nasr 70% WG) increased germination percentage and seedlings growth of sorghum. These herbicides gave satisfactory effect in controlling both annual broadleaf and grassy weeds and had wide spectrum for controlling weed species grown with sorghum plants at more than 80 % which reflected on increasing plant growth and yield, and was superior than hand hoeing (twice) during the two growing seasons. Therefore, such herbicides can be applied in sorghum field. The above mentioned herbicides at 0, 1000 and 2000 μg ml-1 were used to treat sorghum grains after harvest. The results showed also that acetochlor at 900 g a.i./fed (Vern 90%), acetochlor at 840 g a.i./fed (Harness 84%), pendimethalin at 773.5 g a.i./fed (Stomp Extra 45.5%) at 2000 μg ml-1 level, were very effective in inhibiting the growth of grain-born fungi.