Tembotrione combinations on enzyme activities and arbuscular mycorrhiza in maize planted soil

Abstract

Tembotrione, a new generation low dose herbicide applied solely or in combination with atrazine or 2,4-D for controlling complex weed flora in maize field. Frequent use of herbicides at higher rate and in combinations might be a threat to soil biological health. Hence the effect of tembotrione applied at 120 and 240 g/ha and its combination with surfactant isoxadifen-ethyl, atrazine and or 2,4-D as tank mix on soil enzymes and arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi infection and sporulation was assessed in this study. The enzymes dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphatase and the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi population and root colonization were hindered by tembotrione applied at higher dose and with surfactant and atrazine though significant weed control was achieved. Thus, the tembotrione with surfactant isoxadifen-ethyl should be applied at recommended rate to control weeds. Also, continuous monitoring is essential to avoid effect on non-target organisms and maintain soil biological health when applied with atrazine for broad spectrum weed control in irrigated maize.