Analysis of chlorophyll fluorescence has been widely used in the attempt to understand the mechanisms of photosynthesis itself, and to evaluate the changes in photosynthetic capacity, with herbicide application. Water consumption by plants is also a form of evaluating the action of herbicides on weeds. The objective of this study was to evaluate fluorescence through electron transport rate, water consumption, and phytotoxicity on Brachiaria decumbens after application of four herbicides, based on different mechanisms of action. B. decumbens plants were removed from the tubes at 30 days after seeding and prepared for the treatments. Their roots were placed in falcon tubes filled with water, and their surfaces were insulated with alu minum paper to avoid water evaporation from the system. The herbicides used were: glyphosate, haloxyfop-methyl, diuron, and amicarbazone. Treatments were applied using a stationary sprayer installed in the laboratory, and the plants were kept under greenhouse conditions, after appli cation. Electron transport rate (ETR), water consumption and plant phytotoxicity were evaluated at various periods after the start of the experiment. ETR and phytotoxicity data were expressed as percentage of control and subjected to analysis of variance and comparison of means. The water consumption data were accumulated and adjusted for regression models. The plants of B. decumbens had different responses to the herbicides applied and water consumption by the plants is directly related to electron transport. The methodology based on fluorometer proved to be adequate to verify early intoxication in B. decumbens submitted to amicarbazone and diuron, even before the visual determination of intoxication .
fluorometer; glyphosate; haloxyfop-methyl; diuron; amicarbazone
