Abstract

RODRIGUEZ TASSE, Dailín; PUCHADES IZAGUIRRE, Yaquelín  and  BARBOSA GARCIA, Rene Nivardo. Evaluation of the effectiveness and environmental impact of pre-emergent herbicides for weed control in sugarcane (Saccharum spp.). Investig. Agrar. [online]. 2025, vol.27, n.1, e2701836.  Epub June 30, 2025. ISSN 2305-0683.  https://doi.org/10.18004/investig.agrar.2025.2701836.

To evaluate the effectiveness and environmental impact of different pre-emergent herbicide treatments for weed control in sugarcane, two field experiments were conducted at different locations from April 2020 to June 2021. A floristic survey of weed species was performed to determine taxonomic composition and frequency of occurrence. Seven herbicide treatments were evaluated: Unipix GD70 (Imazapic), Merlín Total SC60 (Isoxafluotole + Indaziflan), Mayoral LS35 (Imazapic + Imazapyr), Palmero GD75 (Isoxafluotole), Palmero GD75 + Mayoral LS35, Merlín GD75 + Mayoral LS35, and Merlín GD75 (Isoxafluotole) as the standard treatment, along with an untreated control. Environmental impact coefficients and total costs per hectare were calculated for each treatment. The floristic survey revealed that weed species share close phylogenetic relationships, facilitating management through similar control practices. All herbicide treatments provided excellent weed control. Regarding environmental impact, 50% of treatments posed low risk while the remaining 50% posed very low risk. Unipix GD70 demonstrated the best cost-benefit ratio with the lowest cost per hectare per weed-free day, maintaining weed-free conditions for 90 days post-application. These results expand integrated weed management strategies as alternatives to the conventional Merlín GD75 treatment (0.200 kg ha⁻¹), providing more efficient and environmentally sustainable options for sugarcane weed control.

Keywords : imazapic; isoxafluotole; integrated management; environmental impact coefficient; cost-benefit; sustainable agricultura.

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