The Effect of 2,4-Dichloro Phenoxy Acetic Acid on Seeds Productivity of Mesquite (Prosopis juliflora Swarz) DC

Abstract

The study was conducted in the field to evaluate the effect of 2,4-dichloro phenoxy acetic acid (2,4-D) on the productivity components of mesquite trees (Prosopis juliflora Swarz) DC. Natural stand mesquite trees at three sizes (small, medium, and large) treated with 2,4-D at different rates (0,  6×103, 12×103, 18×103  and  24×103  mg a. i. / L) dissolved in two solvents (diesel or water). The design was a factorial experiment in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). The results found that, decreasing the high productivity of pods per inflorescence and seeds per pod through the use of auxinic herbicide (2,4-D). The two high rates of 2,4-D dissolved in diesel significantly decreased the number of pods per inflorescence. In addition, the three high rates of 2,4-D (12×103, 18×103, and 24×103 mg a.i.) dissolved in diesel or water significantly decreased the number of seeds per pod from the three tree sizes compared to the control. The study concluded that: the use of 2,4-D herbicide dissolved in diesel decreased the number of pods per inflorescence and seeds per pod, which reflected in decreased dispersal of mesquite trees.