Pinus taeda establishment in the province of Corrientes (Argentina): effects of the herbicide metsulfuron-metil in seedlings growth and survival

Abstract

With the objective to evaluate the effect of the herbicide metsulfurón-metil on Pinus taeda (loblolly pine) plantations, survival, herbicide injury on pines and seedlings growth were analyzed in an experiment in Gobernador Virasoro (North of Corrientes province, Argentina). Three doses of metsulturón-metil (30, 60 and 90 g/ha) and two application zones over seedlings (total coverage a top and in the base of the seedlings) were analyzed. The effect of glyphosate application and a treatment without weed control were also studied. Herbicides were applied 30 days after plantation. Height and diameter at root collar were evaluated at the beginning of the trial; 60, 120 and 180 days after application. Survival and sanity of the seedlings were evaluated on day 60. No phytotoxic effect was evident, being seedlings vigorous with an intense green colour. No differences in growth were related to location of herbicide over the pine. Herbicides application produced greater growth than the weeded control. With doses of 60 g/ha and 90 g/ha of metsulfurón-metil pines seedlings showed greatest diameter and height, being those results similar to glyphosate treatment.