Sensitivity of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) to residual effects of Imazaquin (Scepter).

Abstract

Sensitivity of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) to Imazaquin (scepter) residue was investigated.
Imazaquin which is an imidazolinone herbicide (2-(4,5 dihydro-4-methyl)-4-(1-methylethyl)-5-oxo-1H-imidazol-2yl)-
3-quinone carboxylic acid) is one of the chemicals used in weed control in legume crops. Three concentrations (0.125,
0.250 and 0.375 kg/ha) of the herbicide were sprayed on 36 pots filled with loamy soil together with the control pots
which were not sprayed with herbicide were left for different time intervals (4, 6 and 8 weeks) before tomato seeds
were planted. Results obtained from this study revealed that none of the three concentrations of the herbicide used
inhibited germination of tomato seeds in the time intervals. Stem height at 6 weeks after planting was better in
herbicide concentration of 0.250 kg/ha in all the time intervals (31.33, 29.67 and 27.33 cm for 4, 6 and 8 weeks
respectively, than in the control (30.33, 26.00 and 25.11 cm respectively) and least in concentration 0.375 kg/ha (22.33,
21.50 and 20.05 cm). At 12 weeks after planting, the stem height and fruit fresh weight per plant were better in
concentration 0.250 kg/ha (20.23, 14.53, 7.16 g) for all the time intervals than the control (14.54, 11.49 and 4.55 g) and
least in concentration 0.375 kg/ha (4.08, 3.36 and 1.81 g). Fruit number per plant was highest in control (1.78, 1.67 and
1.67) followed by concentration 0.250 kg/ha (1.67, 1.56 and 1.67) and least in concentration 0.375 kg/ha (1.22, 1.44
and 1.11).
Key Words: Tomato; Lycopersicon esculentum; Imazaquin; Imidazolinone herbicides