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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Houma, Louisiana » Sugarcane Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #313490
Title: Pelargonic acid as a herbicide in sweet bell peppers

Author
item Webber Iii, Charles
item TAYLOR, MERRITT - Oklahoma State University
item SHREFLER, JAMES - Oklahoma State University

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/30/2015
Publication Date: 10/1/2015
Citation: Webber III, C.L., Taylor, M.J., Shrefler, J.W. 2015. Pelargonic acid as a herbicide in sweet bell peppers [abstract]. Southern Association of Agricultural Scientists Annual Meeting, January 30 - February 4, 2015, Atlanta, Georgia. S54.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Pelargonic acid, although not certified as organic, is naturally occurring in many plants, animals, and foods. It is also phytotoxic to plants as a contact herbicide, injuring and killing plants by destroying the cell membrane. Vegetable producers would benefit from additional herbicide options that are safe to the crop and provide effective weed control. Research was conducted in southeastern Oklahoma to determine the impact of pelargonic acid on weed control efficacy, crop injury, and pepper (Capsicum annuum) yields. Experimental treatments included pelargonic acid applied unshielded post-directed at 5.6, 11.2, and 16.8 kg/ha, plus an untreated weedy control and an untreated weed-free check. ‘Jupiter’, a tobacco mosaic virus resistant sweet bell pepper with a 70 d day maturity, was transplanted into single rows on raised 91-cm centered beds with 46 cm between plants (23,900 plants/ha) on 28 May and 27 May, 2010 and 2011, respectively. Pelargonic acid was post-directed applied each year in mid-June and then reapplied 8 days later. Weeds included smooth crabgrass (Digitaria ischaemum), cutleaf groundcherry (Physalis angulata), spiny amaranth (Amaranthus spinosus), and yellow nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus). The 16.8 kg/ha pelargonic acid treatment resulted in the maximum smooth crabgrass control (56%) and broadleaf weed control (66%) at 1 day after the initial spray treatment (DAIT), and 33% yellow nutsedge control at 3 DAIT. Pelargonic acid was less effective at controlling yellow nutsedge than smooth crabgrass and broadleaf weeds. As the rate of pelargonic acid increased from 5.6 to 16.8 kg/ha, yellow nutsedge control also increased significantly for all observation dates. Only the 16.8 kg/ha pelargonic acid application produced greater fruit per hectare (4784 fruit/ha) and yields (58.65 kg·ha-1) than the weedy control (1196 fruit/ha and 19.59 kg/ha). It was determined that post-directed applications of pelargonic acid significantly controlled weeds compared to the weedy-control, and resulted in 4 times the fruit production (fruit/ha) and 3 times the yield (kg/ha) than no weed control.