Influence of selected environmental factors on glyphosate efficacy when applied to awnless barnyard grass (Echinochloa colona (L.) Link)

Glasshouse experiments were conducted to determine the effects of various environmental factors on glyphosate efficacy when applied to Echinochloa colona (L.) Link (awnless barnyard grass) plants. The variables examined were 4 soil moisture conditions (29, 42, 55, and 100% of field capacity), 2 levels of irradiance (400 and 800 μmol/m² ·s), 3 temperature regimes (20/15, 30/25, and 35/30°C; day/night), and 2 levels of relative humidity (92 and 65%). The efficacy of 360 g acid equivalent glyphosate/ha was greatest when applied to well-watered (field capacity) plants that were placed under cool (20/25±C) and humid (92% relative humidity) conditions. The efficacy was least when applied to plants under severe water stress (29% of field capacity) that were placed under hot (35/30°C) and less humid (65% relative humidity) conditions. In all experiments, efficacy was not altered by the level of irradiance.