PHYTOTOXICITY AND GROWTH OF COFFEE PLANTS AS A FUNCTION OF THE APPLICATION OF HERBICIDE 2,4-D

Giovani Belutti Voltolini,Larissa Cocato Da Silva,Tiago Teruel Rezende,Rubens José Guimarães,Dalyse Toledo Castanheira,Ademilson De Oliveira Alecrim,João Paulo Rodrigues Alves Delfino Barbosa

doi:10.25186/cs.v14i4.1605

Abstract

Weed control in coffee is of great importance for there is a great interference, standing out the competition for water, light and nutrients. Among the control methods, chemical control is highlighted as a function of its efficiency. However, the incorrect application of herbicides may imply the occurrence of drift, resulting in damage to coffee development due to phytotoxicity. In this context, the objective of this study was to evaluate the symptoms and phytotoxicity effects caused by the herbicide 2,4-D drift on the morphological, physiological and anatomical characteristics of coffee seedlings. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse with ‘Topázio MG1190’ coffee seedlings (<em>Coffea arabica</em> L.), planted in 11-L pots. A randomized block design with four treatments and four replicates was used. The treatments were: 0%; 10%; 25% and 50% of the recommended commercial dose of 2,4-D (2.5 L.ha<sup>-1</sup>). Each plot consisted of three plants. The evaluations were performed at 74 days after implantation. Morphological, physiological, anatomical and phytotoxicity symptoms were evaluated as a function of the simulated herbicide drift. Coffee seedlings intoxicated by the herbicide 2,4-D presented hyponastic, chlorosis, shriveling and leaf anomalies. In the orthotropic branch, bending was observed in its extension, besides thickening in the collar region; in the plagiotropic branch, cracking was observed. Herbicide drift negatively affects the development of coffee plants. The coffee physiology was affected as a function of herbicide drift, but without damage to the leaf anatomy.

Highlights

Coffee is a crop of great national importance and, in this context Brazil stands out as the largest producer and exporter of this grain
Care must be taken with its application practices since, when applied incorrectly, the spray can reach the crop of interest, leading to coffee damage (LORENZI, 2014)
In view of the above, was to evaluate the symptoms and phytotoxicity effects caused by the herbicide 2,4-D drift on the morphological, physiological and anatomical characteristics of coffee plants

Summary

Introduction

Coffee is a crop of great national importance and, in this context Brazil stands out as the largest producer and exporter of this grain. Several factors interfere with coffee yield, among them climatic and management factors are of great importance. In management, weed control can be highlighted, since it is a practice that must be carried out in the crop to avoid competition and, damage to plant growth and development (LORENZI, 2014). Losses in agricultural crops by weed interference are estimated around 20-30% in Brazil (LORENZI, 2014). This interference occurs due to competition for water, light, CO2 and nutrients, which are frequently limited to the crop itself (RONCHI and SILVA, 2003; FIALHO et al, 2011; OLIVEIRA JR, 2011). Care must be taken with its application practices since, when applied incorrectly, the spray can reach the crop of interest, leading to coffee damage (LORENZI, 2014)

Objectives

Methods

Results