Control of Problematic Weeds in Mediterranean Vineyards with the Bioherbicide Pelargonic Acid

[EN] Pelargonic acid (PA) is the only natural herbicide authorized for professional use in Spain. Incorporating PA into an integrated weed management strategy in vineyards may enable a more sustainable production method for grapes. In this work, PA of 55% concentration, formulated by a commercial company (PSEI), was evaluated and applied at 8, 10, 12, and 15 L/ha for weed control in Mediterranean vineyards during 2020 and 2021. A total of 22 different weed species, 16 dicotyledonous and 6 monocotyledonous, were identified in the experimental areas. Previously, greenhouse assays were performed against Avena fatua L. and Chenopodium album L. to determine the dose/response curves. PSEI proved to be a viable post-emergence herbicide with an efficacy of 40.79¿80.90%, depending on the applied dose (higher doses were the most effective). Broader herbicidal activity (20% or more) was obtained against dicotyledonous weeds compared with monocotyledonous. The PA formulation was remarkable in achieving PSEI-similar effects as compared to the market reference but at lower concentrations (around 13% less PA) and doses (1¿8 less L/ha). PA has proved to be a good candidate to control weeds in Mediterranean vineyards when used as a post-emergence broad-spectrum herbicide in the first stages of weed development.This research was funded by SEIPASA.Muñoz, M.; Torres-Pagán, N.; Jouini, A.; Araniti, F.; Sánchez-Moreiras, AM.; Verdeguer Sancho, MM. (2022). Control of Problematic Weeds in Mediterranean Vineyards with the Bioherbicide Pelargonic Acid. Agronomy. 12(10):1-18. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12102476118121

Phytotoxic Effects of Three Natural Compounds: Pelargonic Acid, Carvacrol, and Cinnamic Aldehyde, against Problematic Weeds in Mediterranean Crops

[EN] Weeds and herbicides are important stress factors for crops. Weeds are responsible for great losses in crop yields, more than 50% in some crops if left uncontrolled. Herbicides have been used as the main method for weed control since their development after the Second World War. It is necessary to find alternatives to synthetic herbicides that can be incorporated in an Integrated Weed Management Program, to produce crops subjected to less stress in a more sustainable way. In this work, three natural products: pelargonic acid (PA), carvacrol (CV), and cinnamic aldehyde (CA) were evaluated, under greenhouse conditions in postemergence assays, against problematic weeds in Mediterranean cropsAmaranthus retroflexus,Avena fatua,Portulaca oleracea,andErigeron bonariensis, to determine their phytotoxic potential. The three products showed a potent herbicidal activity, reaching high efficacy (plant death) and damage level in all species, being PA the most effective at all doses applied, followed by CA and CV. These products could be good candidates for bioherbicides formulations.This research was funded by SEIPASA.Muñoz, M.; Torres-Pagán, N.; Peiró Barber, RM.; Guijarro, R.; Sánchez-Moreiras, AM.; Verdeguer Sancho, MM. (2020). Phytotoxic Effects of Three Natural Compounds: Pelargonic Acid, Carvacrol, and Cinnamic Aldehyde, against Problematic Weeds in Mediterranean Crops. Agronomy. 10(6):1-20. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10060791S120106Vos, R., & Bellù, L. G. (2019). Global Trends and Challenges to Food and Agriculture into the 21st Century. Sustainable Food and Agriculture, 11-30. doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-812134-4.00002-9Vats, S. (2014). Herbicides: History, Classification and Genetic Manipulation of Plants for Herbicide Resistance. 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Effect of Different Parameters (Treatment Administration Mode, Concentration and Phenological Weed Stage) on Thymbra capitata L. Essential Oil Herbicidal Activity

[EN] The essential oil (EO) of Thymbra capitata has been demonstrated to possess herbicidal activity and could be used as an alternative to synthetic herbicides with reduced persistence in soil and new mode of action. Nevertheless, it is necessary to determine the adequate doses for its use, the proper way for its application and the best phenological stage of weeds and crops in which the EO should be applied to obtain maximum efficacy against weeds without compromising crop production. In this work, T. capitata EO was tested at three different concentrations against weeds grown from a citrus orchard soil seedbank untreated with herbicides and against three important weed species grown in substrate to determine the efficacy of the concentrations on different weed species. All experiments were carried out under greenhouse conditions. To find out the best way for applying the EO, it was applied by irrigation and by spraying on the targeted weeds, and to verify the influence of timing, it was tested on Lolium rigidum at two different phenological stages and on wheat at a later phenological stage than weeds. The highest concentration tested (12 µL·mL¿1) showed the best performance to control weeds. The more effective mode of application was by spraying on dicotyledons and by irrigation on monocotyledons at the earliest phenological stage. T. capitata EO was phytotoxic for wheat. More trials in different crops are needed to determine the best conditions for its use.This research was funded by the Spanish Society of Weed Science.Torres-Pagán, N.; Jouini, A.; Melero-Carnero, N.; Peiró Barber, RM.; Sánchez-Moreiras, A.; Carrubba, A.; Verdeguer Sancho, MM. (2023). Effect of Different Parameters (Treatment Administration Mode, Concentration and Phenological Weed Stage) on Thymbra capitata L. Essential Oil Herbicidal Activity. Agronomy. 13(12):1-16. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13122938116131

Physiological and Biochemical Responses to Water Stress and Salinity of the Invasive Moth Plant, Araujia sericifera Brot., during Seed Germination and Vegetative Growth

[EN] Araujia sericifera is an invasive plant with an increasing presence in South East Spain, where it produces damage to native trees and shrubs and citric orchards. As the climatic conditions in the study area are becoming harsher due to the climate change, the stress tolerance of this species has been studied during germination and vegetative growth. Growth parameters, photosynthetic pigments, ion accumulation, and antioxidant mechanisms were analysed in plants that were subjected to water deficit and salt stress. Seed germination was reduced by salinity but 50% of the seeds still germinated at 50 mM NaCl. The ungerminated seeds did not lose their germination capacity as shown in `recovery¿ germination assays in distilled water. Germination was less affected by osmotic stress that was induced by polyethylene glycol (PEG), and germination velocity increased in the recovery treatments after exposure to NaCl or PEG. Plant growth was practically unaffected by 150 mM NaCl but inhibited by higher NaCl concentrations or severe drought stress. Nevertheless, all the plants survived throughout the experiment, even under high salinity (600 mM NaCl). A. sericifera relative stress tolerance relies, at least to some extent, on effective antioxidant mechanisms that are based on flavonoid biosynthesis and the activation of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase, and glutathione reductase.Bellache, M.; Moltó, N.; Allal Benfekih, L.; Torres-Pagán, N.; Mir Moreno, R.; Verdeguer Sancho, MM.; Boscaiu, M.... (2022). Physiological and Biochemical Responses to Water Stress and Salinity of the Invasive Moth Plant, Araujia sericifera Brot., during Seed Germination and Vegetative Growth. Agronomy. 11(2):1-20. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy1202036112011

Effect of Two Biostimulants, Based on <i>Ascophyllum nodosum</i> Extracts, on Strawberry Performance under Mild Drought Stress

The world’s population continues to grow while available natural resources, such as arable land, water, and quality soil, are decreasing. Therefore, it is essential to implement environmentally friendly crop management strategies, which include the use of biostimulants. This study analysed the effects on strawberry plants of ActyseiTM and Phylgreen®, two commercial biostimulants based on extracts of the seaweed Ascophyllum nodosum. The study was conducted under field capacity (regular irrigation) and at 50% field capacity (mild water stress conditions) for 12 weeks. Different growth parameters of the aerial parts of the plants were measured weekly, such as the number of leaves, length of the longest leaf, leaf area, and the number of flowers and fruits produced, as well as the chlorophyll content, determined with a single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) detector. At the end of the experiment, the plant material was collected, and the roots and aerial parts were weighed separately to obtain the fresh and dry weight of the samples. Fruit quality was assessed by analysing morphological parameters (weight and size) and some biochemical variables (proline, total soluble sugars, and antioxidant compounds contents). ActyseiTM application generally enhanced plant growth in control plants and under mild water stress conditions, even though root weight was reduced. In contrast, no significant effect of Phylgreen® on vegetative growth was observed, except for stimulating the root growth of plants watered at field capacity. Both biostimulants, Phylgreen® to a greater extent, showed an impact on the plants already seven weeks after their initial application, stimulating flower and fruit production, especially at field capacity

Effects of four-week exposure to salt treatments on germination and growth of two Amaranthus species.

[EN] Soil salinity represents one of the most restrictive environmental factors for agriculture worldwide. In the present study, the salt tolerance of two weeds of the genus Amaranthus, A. albus and A. hybridus, the latter cultivated as green vegetable in Africa, were analysed. Both species showed a remarkable salt tolerance phenotype during germination and vegetative growth. To evaluate the percentage and rate of germination, seeds were germinated in Petri dishes in a germination chamber under increasing concentrations up to 300 mM NaCl. Higher concentrations of salt ranging from 150 to 600 mM NaCl were applied for one month to plants grown in individual pots in the greenhouse. All seeds of A. albus germinated in the control and almost half of the seeds under 200 mM NaCl, but only 4% of the seeds under 250 mM NaCl. In A. hybridus, germination was considerably lower in all treatments and was completely prevented at 250 mM NaCl. The plant growth of both species was severely affected by high salt concentrations of 450 and 600 mM NaCl, but not under lower concentrations. At this stage of the biological cycle, A. hybridus showed a higher salt tolerance, as indicated by the smaller reduction in its growth parameters. The dry weight of leaves and roots of plants receiving 600 mM NaCl decreased in comparison to control: less than 60% in A. hybridus but more than 70% in A. albus. The salt tolerance of the two species contributes to their invasive potential, but on the other hand represents a useful trait when considering them as potential crops for the future.Bellache, M.; Benfekih, LA.; Torres-Pagán, N.; Mir Moreno, R.; Verdeguer Sancho, MM.; Vicente, O.; Boscaiu, M. (2022). Effects of four-week exposure to salt treatments on germination and growth of two Amaranthus species. Soil Systems. 6(3):1-16. https://doi.org/10.3390/soilsystems60300571166