Selectivity of pre-emergent herbicides in sweet potato genotypes

Abstract

Sweet potato is sensitive to weeds and a chemical control is needed for high yield production. This work describes the evaluation of three sweet potato genotypes grown in pre-treated soil with clomazone, linuron, metribuzin mechanical weed control (MWC) and without weed control. Visual injury and yield of genotypes were examined, as well as production of branches and roots in fresh and dry biomass. Herbicide residues at root samples were determined by the LC-MS/MS method. The genotypes exhibited a different behaviour under clomazone, metribuzin and linuron applications. Metribuzin provided a yield decrease in all plants. Pre-treated soil with clomazone and mechanical control provided plants more productive. Linuron residues showed values of up to 0.327 ng g-1 in sweet potato roots.