Two trials were carried out at the Universidade Estadual de Maringá, PR-Brazil, to develop an alternative method to evaluate foliar and root absorption of herbicides. A random experimental design was arranged, with eleven or five treatments, for sandy or clay soils, respectively,both with four replicates. Atrazine was applied at rates of 2.5 or 3.0 kg ha-1 in sandy or clay soil samples, respectively, with a CO2-pressured sprayer. Treatments included: plants protected with plastic covers, on uncovered soil and uncovered plants on aluminum-covered soil, combined with protected soil moisture conditions: dry, humid or under both conditions, supplied by extra 20 mm soil irrigation after application. Atrazine foliar absorption was efficient to control B. plantaginea at two- to three-leaf stage, both in sandy and clay soils. For efficient control at four- to five-leaf stage, the association of foliar and root absorption was necessary to attain satisfactory control. Irrigation of 20 mm increased the level of control provided by root absorption of B. plantaginea, under different plant stages, soils or moisture levels. The method was found to be a feasible alternative to evaluate foliar and root absorption of herbicides used to control early-stage grass weeds.
herbicide; methodology; weeds; early post-emergence
