The residual effect of metsulfuron on soybean tolerant and non-tolerant to sulfonylureas

Metsulfuron is widely used for weed management; however, the residual effect on STS soybean cultivars is unknown. The objective of this work was to evaluate the residual effect of the herbicide metsulfuron on the BMX Garra RR2/STS and M 6410 IPRO (non-STS) soybean cultivars. The herbicide metsulfuron was applied at a rate of 2.4 g a.i. ha-1, in pre-planting of soybean plants. The design was completely randomized in a 2×5 factorial scheme with four replications (first factor: two soybean cultivars - STS and no-STS; second factor: five periods between metsulfuron application and soybean sowing - 0, 15, 30, 45, and 60 days). At 7, 14, 21, and 28 days after sowing (DAS), an emergency evaluation of the soybean seedlings was performed; at 28 DAS, height and dry mass of the shoot were evaluated. The height averages for the STS cultivar were higher than the values of the no-STS cultivar. The average dry mass of soybean plants was higher in the STS cultivar at 0, 15, and 30 days between application and sowing. No differences were observed between the cultivars for the periods of 45 and 60 days, for average dry mass. The BMX soybean cultivar Garra RR2/STS was potentially tolerant for the pre-sowing application of the herbicide metsulfuron. The cultivar of M 6410 IPRO (nonSTS) was affected in its initial development by the metsulfuron application during the pre-emergence stage; however, the 60-day metsulfuron application was safer, and therefore, it is recommended to perform the herbicide application in that interval.