Evaluation of Herbicides on the Control of Weeds and Phytotoxicity in a Habanero Pepper Crop (Capsicum chinense Jacq.) in the State of Yucatan, Mexico

Herbicides play a major role in any crop as they are an essential part of the inputs used by farmers to control weeds. However, their excessive and continuous use can induce human health and environmental problems; the risk of provoking weed resistance to herbicides is also a potential problem. The objective of this work was to evaluate different commercial herbicides on the control of weeds present in a habanero pepper crop and their phytotoxic effect on crop development. The experiment was carried out during the Autumn-Winter 2021 cycle in the municipality of Muna, Yucatan, Mexico. Sixteen treatments were evaluated in a randomized complete block design with four replications. 14 dominant weed species were recorded of which 12 were broad-leaved and 2 narrow-leaved ones. The weed coverage in all herbicide-based treatments was statistically different as compared to the control at 14 days after application (DAA) with values ranging from 0.25% to 8.13%. Highlighting Pendimethalin (0.25%), Ammonium Glufosinate (1.13%), Trifluralin (1.5%) and Chlorthal dimethyl (1.88%) with the lowest weed coverage values. The greatest phytotoxic effect, on the crop, was caused by Clomazone. The treatments with the lowest costs were Glyphosate and Paraquat whilst Bensulide was of the highest ones. Except for the latter, all herbicides significantly reduced costs relative to the grower’s practice.