Effects of glyphosate on the germination and establishment of surface-sown pasture species

Abstract

Seeds of Medicago sativa, Trifolium subterraneum, Lolium perenne and Phalaris tuberosa were sown on bare soil before spraying with glyphosate, or surface-sown onto existing pasture 0, 7, 14 and 35 days after the pasture had been sprayed. Rates of glyphosate used were 0, 1.5 and 4.5 kg a.e, ha-1. Germination and establishment were recorded for seeds on the bare soil and seeds in the sprayed pasture under glasshouse conditions. Residual glyphosate had no important effects on germination but had deleterious effects on establishment, particularly of the legumes. The residual effects were less severe at the low rate and disappeared 35 days after spraying