Photosynthetic activity of coffee after application of glyphosate subdoses

Farmers use non-selective herbicides, such as glyphosate, in directed applications to control weeds in coffee crops. Despite the precautions used during the application of herbicides, there are usually reports of poisoning in plantation areas. Moreover, it is fundamental to understand the effects of glyphosate on photosynthetic processes. The present study aimed to evaluate the characteristics associated with the photosynthetic activity in coffee cultivars subjected to doses of glyphosate. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse using three varieties of coffee (Coffea arabica), including Acaiá (MG-6851), Catucaí Amarelo (2 SL) and Topázio (MG-1190), and three subdoses of glyphosate (0.0, 115.2 and 460.8 g ha-1) in a 3 x 3 factorial scheme. Herbicide application led to reduced internal carbon, ratio between internal and environmental carbon, carbon consumption and photosynthetic rate at 15 days after application (DAA) in the fourth leaf. In the same leaf at 45 DAA, the carbon consumption of the cultivars was even less. Despite low carbon concentrations, no difference in consumption and photosynthetic rate was observed in the last leaf. Glyphosate caused metabolic damage with transitory effects on the photosynthetic rate; the Acaiá cultivar was the most tolerant. These transitory effects may result in irreversible and prolonged damage to crop growth.