Chemical control of weeds during the acclimatization of <i>in vitro</i> sugarcane plants cv. 'CP52-43'

Abstract

Control of weeds in the acclimatization phase of in vitro sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) plants is done manually which raises the cost of production. In order to determine the effectiveness of the chemical control of weeds with Dual Gold CE 96 (Mesotrione), in vitro plants of sugar cane cv. 'CP52-43' were acclimatized in worm humus and cachaça compost. Doses of 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 l ha-1 p.c. Dual Gold CE 96 herbicide, were applied before and immediately to in vitro plants transplantation and the results were compared to manual weeding. After 50 days of culture, 15 plants were extracted per treatment and the number of leaves and shoots were quantified, the length was measured and the fresh mass of the aerial part and of the roots were determined. The results showed that Dual Gold CE 96 at doses of 0.5 l ha-1 applied before or after transplant, controls the weeds Portulaca oleracea (L.), Amaranthus sp. (Mart), Sida acuta (Burm. F.) and Eleusine indica (L.), without affecting the growth of sugarcane cv. ‘CP52-43’ plants, compared to manual weeding. Keywords: herbicides, Saccharum, substrate, survival