HPPD-Inhibiting Herbicides Alone or in Tank-Mix with Atrazine in Elephant Grass

The interference imposed by weeds is one of the most important factors limiting elephant grass forage yield. Two experiments were carried out in 2015/2016 and 2017 to evaluate the selectivity and weed control of 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD)-inhibiting herbicides applied alone or in combination with atrazine in elephant grass. The treatments applied in the experiment conducted in Valença, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil, were as follows- two rates of mesotrione (0.072 and 0.144 kg ha-1 + 0.5% v/v mineral oil - Assist®), two rates of tembotrione (0.075 and 0.100 kg ha-1 + 0.5% v/v mineral oil - Aureo®), atrazine + mesotrione (1.25 + 0.072 kg ha-1 + 0.5% v/v mineral oil - Assist®), atrazine + tembotrione (1.25 + 0.100 kg ha-1 + 0.5% v/v mineral oil - Aureo®), atrazine + mesotrione (1.25 + 0.072 kg ha-1), atrazine + tembotrione (1.25 + 0.100 kg ha-1) and two checks (weed-free check and weedy check). The same herbicide treatments and a check without application were applied in an experiment conducted in Coronel Pacheco, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. Two application rates of mesotrione with the addition of mineral oil or the tank mixture of atrazine plus mesotrione, with or without the addition of mineral oil, did not provide injuries capable to reduce elephant grass forage yield. Tembotrione was phytotoxic to elephant grass when applied with mineral oil. Atrazine plus tembotrione in a tank-mix, with or without mineral oil, were also phytotoxic to elephant grass. All treatments provided satisfactory weed control.