Effect of Glyphosate Application as a Pre-Harvest Desiccant on Yield Components and Seed Quality of Sorghum
MSU Affiliation
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences; Department of Plant and Soil Sciences
Creation Date
2025-10-17
Abstract
Pre-harvest desiccation with glyphosate is a used practice to accelerate maturation and standardize harvest. However, its effectiveness and impacts may vary depending on the dosage, the phenological stage at the time of application, and environmental conditions. The central hypothesis was that herbicide application at stages close to physiological maturity would minimize the negative impacts on yield and seed quality. Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate the effects of glyphosate on the desiccation efficiency, grain yield, and physiological quality of sorghum seeds. The experiment was conducted in two locations. A factorial scheme 2 × 3 + 1 was used, with factor A representing doses of glyphosate (720 and 960 g e.a ha− 1) and factor B moisture levels of sorghum grain at timing of application (18, 2 and 22%). Glyphosate was efficient for desiccation of plants, reaching 90% control at 7 days after application and 100% at 10 days, regardless of the dose and locations. Grain moisture content was significantly reduced in the Location 1, particularly when the herbicide was applied to grains with an initial moisture content of 22%. However, in the Location 2 site, this effect on grain moisture reduction at harvest was not observed, regardless of the dose or grain moisture level selected for desiccation. Sorghum yield was not affected in most treatments, except in the Location 2 site, where the application of 22% moisture on grains reduced production. Seed germination was not significantly altered; however, an increase in the number of abnormal seedlings and dead seeds was observed in some treatments, suggesting that early applications may compromise seed physiological quality. The results indicate that pre-harvest desiccation of sorghum can be an effective tool for reducing grain moisture and improving mechanical harvesting; however, its effectiveness depends on environmental conditions.
Publication Date
9-11-2025
Publication Title
International Journal of Plant Production
Publisher
Springer
Recommended Citation
Blat, N.R., de Carvalho Caetano, B., Silva, L.F.O. et al. Effect of Glyphosate Application as a Pre-Harvest Desiccant on Yield Components and Seed Quality of Sorghum. Int. J. Plant Prod. (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42106-025-00376-w
