The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of spray nozzles with different flows and droplet size on the deposition and desiccation of Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu plants. A complete randomized block design was used with four replications. Each experimental unit consisted of three 1 m spaced, 5 m long lines. The treatments were applied 16 months after seeding, and 40 days before application B. brizantha was cut to render the area uniform. The following types of nozzles were evaluated:fat flan nozzle XR 11001 VS (100 L ha-1) and XR 11002 VS (200 L ha-1), cone nozzle TX-4 VS (100 L ha-1) and TX-8 VK (200 L ha-1), air induction nozzle AI 11002 VS (200 L ha-1) and double flat fan nozzle TJ 60 11002 VS (200 L ha-1). The solution was sprayed with the glyphosate at 1,800 g ha-1, plus a tracer solution. After application, 25 plants per replication were collected immediately after spraying and the leaves and stem were washed separately in 150 ml of distilled water for posterior tracer quantification in a spectrophotometer. The data obtained were adjusted to a regression curve by the Gompertz model. All the spray nozzles used were efficient in controlling B. brizantha plants, regardless of the application volume applied, showing that it is possible to reduce the application volume and herbicide dosage in pasture desiccation, considering the use of systemic herbicides. It must be highlighted that there was a difference in the amount and distribution uniformity of the solution sprayed on the targets evaluated, according to the type of spray nozzles tested , and consequently, volume used.
chemical control; application technology; tracer; glyphosate; pasture
