Abstract:
A yardwaste/biosolid compost was evaluated for biological weed control properties under greenhouse conditions. Plastic pots (3.87 l), half-filled with Oldsmar fine sand, were sown (100 seeds/pot) with common purslane (Portulaca oleraceae), bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon), and redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus). Seeds were covered with 0, 2.5, 5, or 7.5 cm of compost. Emerged seedlings were counted daily until no further emergence occurred. Significant suppression of emergence occurred in each of the compost treatments as compared to the control for each of the weed species. The 7.5 cm depth of compost treatment had the highest rate of weed suppression. Our data suggest that compost may have potential as a biological weed control method in vegetable crop alleyways. |
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