Effect of various organic emulsifiers on crop growth and weed control

Issue Date

12-2017

Abstract

The research aims to determine the promotional effects of various organic emulsifiers (sugar bubble, natural detergent, loess sulfur, brown rice vinegar, and powder soap) on lettuce, Chinese cabbage, radish, cucumber, and barley, investigate whether the increase in crop growth by the emulsifiers is related to photosynthetic efficiency (quantum yield), chlorophyll and carotenoid contents; and to evaluate the herbicidal effects of the organic emulsifiers on common lambs quarters (Chenopodium album L.), curly dock (Rumex crispus L.), dandelion (Taraxacum officinale L.), and barnyards grass (Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) P. Beauv.). Plant height and shoot fresh weight in the radish, chinese cabbage, and lettuce increased from 15-51% using sugar bubble, 11-49% using brown rice vinegar, and 8-48% using natural detergent at 1, 3, 5, and 10% concentrations in the greenhouse. Plant height and shoot fresh weight of cucumber and barley did not increase with emulsifier treatment. The increase in crop growth by the emulsifiers was not related to photosynthetic efficiency (quantum yield), chlorophyll and carotenoid contents. Germination rate, shoot and root growth in cucumber and barley were 100% inhibited by brown rice vinegar, powder soap, and loess sulfur at 3% and 5% concentrations in Petri dish bioassays. Shoot and root growth in barley and cucumber were also 100% inhibited by brown rice vinegar at 3% and 10% concentrations, respectively, and loess sulfur at 10% and 5%, respectively in soil experiments. Shoot and root growth in common lambs quarters, curly dock, and dandelion were 100% inhibited by 3% concentrations of all emulsifiers tested (sugar bubble, brown rice vinegar, powder soap, and loess sulfur) in Petri dish bioassays. In a greenhouse study, curly dock was 28-30% and 47-100% controlled by foliar applications of brown rice vinegar and loess sulfur, respectively, at 3, 5, and 10% concentrations, and dandelion was 46-55% controlled by loess sulfur at 5% and 10% concentrations, and dandelion was 46-55% controlled by loess sulfur at 5% and 10% concentrations. The results of this study suggest the organic emulsifiers tested can be used to increase crop growth and provide in-row weed control for transplanted vegetable crops.

Source or Periodical Title

Philippine Journal of Crop Science

ISSN

0115-463x

Volume

42

Issue

3

Page

63-70

Document Type

Article

Frequency

tri-quarterly

Physical Description

tables, graphs

Language

English

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS