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Eucalyptus growth under the effect of glyphosate drift

The possible negative effects of glyphosate drift on eucalyptus plants throughout their cycle are one of the many issues faced in forestry. Thus, 120 plants presenting variable degrees of intoxication were randomly selected at day 30 after application of 1.440 g ha-1 glyphosate, aiming to control the weeds in an area of Eucalyptus grandis x E. urophylla (urograndis hybrid) at 120 days after transplantation. The treatments were constituted by the following intervals: 0-5; 6-10; 11-20; 21-30; 31-40 and 41-50% of plant intoxication with 0-5% being considered the control treatment. Height and diameter were evaluated after plant selection, up to 360 days after application (DAA) and the intoxication symptoms were evaluated during this period. At 360 DAA wood volume (m³) was estimated and height and diameter gains were calculated. Plants with initial intoxication above 31% presented lesser height and diameter at 270 DAA Height gains were lesser in plants with initial intoxication above 41%. Lesser diameter was observed from 21% intoxication, with the plants with 41-50% intoxication displaying the lesser values for diameter growth. The damage caused by the drift affected wood production at 270 DAA, with the plants with 21-30, 31-40 and 41-50% intoxication being the ones presenting reduced wood volume of 18, 26 and 48%, respectively, in relation to the control treatment. The results confirmed the damage caused by glyphosate drift to eucalyptus plants. However, new evaluations should be performed to monitor the growth and development of the plants until the end of their cycle so as to elucidate the drift effects on the final production.

wood production; Eucalyptus ssp.; chemical control; herbicide


Sociedade Brasileira da Ciência das Plantas Daninhas Departamento de Fitotecnia - DFT, Universidade Federal de Viçosa - UFV, 36570-000 - Viçosa-MG - Brasil, Tel./Fax::(+55 31) 3899-2611 - Viçosa - MG - Brazil
E-mail: rpdaninha@gmail.com