Planta Daninha 2019; v37:e019182818 MIRZAEI, M. et al. The response of different weed species to glyphosate using ammonium sulfate and hard water ABSTRACT -Water hardness antagonism and the effect of ammonium sulphate (AMS) on efficacy of glyphosate have been well documented. However conflicting results between weed species were noted by the authors. Greenhouse experiments were conducted twice at the Ferdowsi University of Mashhad in a randomized complete block design with a factorial arrangement and three replications during 2014-2015. Four experiments were arranged separately on cypress (Kochia scoparia), redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus), little seed canary grass (Phalaris minor) and winter wild oat (Avena ludoviciana) using ammonium sulphate and deionizad water and in the presence of different salts, (i.e. NaHCO 3 , CaCO 3 , MgCl 2 and CaCl 2 at 500 ppm) against three doses of glyphosate (256.25, 512.5 and 1,025 g a.i. ha -1 ), with and without ammonium sulphate (AMS) as adjuvant (2% w/v). The results showed the application of AMS overcomes the inhibitory effects of salts in the spray solution in tested species. The degree of effectiveness in A. retroflexus was more than A. ludoviciana and P. minor. Glyphosate with AMS caused reduction in dry matter in grasses from 0.34 to 0.28 g, while glyphosate toxicity in A. retroflexus with AMS was 100 percent and all of the plants were destroyed (0.82 to 0 g). The application of AMS in overcoming the inhibitory effects of water hardness had no effect on K. scoparia control. However, Increasing AMS could overcome the inhibitory effects of hard water in the spray solution on glyphosate efficacy in A. retroflexus and K. scoparia, but it had no effect on tested grassy weeds. We may conclude that glyphosate work differently on weed species using AMS and hard water.

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Spray water quality parameters such as hardness, pH, alkalinity, turbidity, and total dissolved solids (TDS) can influence the performance of herbicides. Polyvalent cations found in hard water can reduce the efficacy of post‐emergence herbicides that are weak acids. Various approaches have been proposed to mitigate the negative effects of spray water properties on herbicide performance. Water conditioning adjuvants are designed for overcoming the adverse effects of hard water. One group of adjuvants are nitrogen containing compounds such as ammonium sulfate (AMS). The ability of AMS to overcome hard water antagonism is well‐documented but the positive effect of other ammonium compounds are variable and depend on herbicides and weed species. Other adjuvant groups that can overcome effects of poor spray quality are ethoxylated amine surfactants, organic acids and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). Water quality is poor in many parts of the world, and accordingly, the study of water property effects on herbicide performance is needed to optimize use, and prevent overuse, of herbicides.