Use of trifluralin to control root intrusion in drippers buried under sugar cane crop

Abstract

Subsurface dripping irrigation is defined as water application below the soil surface by emitters with discharge rate similar to that of the surface dripping irrigation. Problems related to intrusion of roots into the emitters are some pitfalls of this technology. The objective of this study was to evaluate the intrusion of sugar cane roots into emitters buried in the absence or presence of Trifluralin in the irrigation water. Different levels of Trifluralin were the treatments applied. The results showed that for these study conditions, there is no need of Trifluralin injection until the eighth months after sugar cane germination, and as of the eighth month, after the sugar cane germination, Trifluralin is recommended at the dose of 0.25 cm3 by emitter in order to keep the relative flow rate close to 100%.