FLUAZIFOP-P-BUTYLIC AS GROWTH REGULATOR FOR THREE TURFGRASSES SPECIES

Abstract

The application of plant regulators reduces plant height without affecting the high quality of the treated area, without causing damage to the density of plants and without causing visible damage to the lawn. Thus, the objective was to evaluate the use of the herbicide fluazifop-p-butyl as a growth regulator for three species of grasses (bahia grass - Paspalum notatum; emerald - Zoysia japonica and blanket grass - Axonopus compressus) depending on the luminosity. The work was carried out in a completely randomized experimental design, with the treatments arranged for each grass species in a sub-plot scheme, in which the plots constituted the two conditions of light (100 and 70%) and the sub-plot the application of the herbicide (125 g ai ha-1), in four replications. After 15 days after application (DAA), evaluations were carried out by measuring the height of the plants, and their lateral growth inside the box. These assessments were repeated every 15 days, up to 45 DAA. On that occasion, the dry masses of the aerial part and roots of the plants were determined, after drying the materials in an oven with forced air circulation at 70oC for at least 96 hours. The herbicide fluazifop-p-butyl at a dose of 125 g a.i. Under 70% of light, fluazifop-p-butyl was more effective in regulating the growth of emerald grass, followed by blanket grass and bahia grass, up to 45 days after application.