Use of Fertiactyl Pos® for Protection of Eucalyptus Plants Subjected to Herbicide Drift

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Herbicide drift, due to application failures, can cause intoxication in eucalyptus plants, compromising their growth. However, the addition of protective products such as Fertiactyl Pós® to the syrup has been shown to be efficient in reducing intoxication of eucalyptus plants exposed to herbicide drift. Given this, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the protective effect of Fertiactyl Pós® on the reduction of damage caused by the herbicides glyphosate, 2,4-D and the glyphosate + 2.4-D mixture in eucalyptus plants. The experiment was conducted in a 3 x 2 + 1 factorial scheme, corresponding to three herbicides: glyphosate (1,440 g ha-1), 2,4-D (680 g ha-1), glyphosate + 2.4- D (1,440 g ha-1 + 680 g ha-1); two doses of Fertiactyl Pós® (0 and 3.0 L ha-1) and one control without application. Prior to application, the top of the eucalyptus was covered with polyethylene bags to ensure the syrup only reached the lower third of the canopy. The addition of Fertiactyl Pós® to the syrup with glyphosate and 2.4 D herbicides reduced the intoxication of eucalyptus plants by 21.9 and 15.2%, respectively, at 40 days after application (DAA) when compared with the application of the respective herbicides without the addition of Fertiactyl Pós®. The glyphosate + 2.4-D mixture drift intensified the intoxication of the eucalyptus plants in comparison with the application of the respective herbicides in isolation. Besides, the addition of Fertiactyl Pós® to the glyphosate + 2,4-D mixture did not prevent plant intoxication.