ACTION OF IMAZETHAPYR AND LACTOFEN ON THE NODULATION OF CONVENTIONAL AND TRANSGENIC SOYBEAN UNDER DROUGHT STRESS CONDITIONS

Abstract

This research aimed at studying the action of the herbicides imazethapyr and lactofen on the root system and rhizobium/plant interaction, when they are sprayed at two phenological development stages of soybean cultivars under different soil water management. The soybean cultivars MG/BR 46 Conquista (conventional) and BRS Valiosa (RR) were submitted to three minimum soil water potential (Psi s): -0.03; -0.07 and -0.5 MPa at the V2 and V4 phenological stages. The herbicides imazethapyr at the rate (100 g a.i. ha(-1)) and lactofen at the rate (180 g a.i. ha(-1)) were sprayed 10 days after the start of water restrictions. Twenty-one days after the application of the herbicides, root dry matter and root nodulation were evaluated. The BRS Valiosa (RR) soybean cultivar presented better nodule formation and a more efficient and more adapted root system to support moderate drought stress conditions (-0.07 MPa). The MG/BR 46 Conquista (conventional) soybean cultivar presented lower the root system growth when submitted to the spraying of imazethapyr and lactofen. The activity of N-2-fixating bacteria was affected by the spraying of the herbicides imazethapyr and lactofen.