Metsulfuron-methyl over agronomic performance and seed quality of wheat crop

Abstract

On wheat crop there is scarce scientific evidence regarding the use of herbicides, limiting the information about their effects. In this context, the objective of this work was to evaluate some yield components and seed quality of wheat crop under the effect of increasing doses application of metsulfuron- methyl in two stages of development, from the premise that the use of high doses in combination with developmental stage may affect the plant. With this purpose an experiment was conducted in field conditions, in which treatments consisted of five doses of metsulfuron-methyl herbicide: 0; 1.8; 3.6; 5.4; 7.2 g a.i. ha-1, applied at two crop stages: 4 and 10.4. Variables evaluated were: yield, thousand seed mass, germination and vigor. According to obtained results, it’s possible to conclude that metsulfuron-methyl herbicide may be harmful to wheat crop, only when it is used doses increment at silking stage.