Evaluating Mustard Seed Meal for Weed Suppression in Potato (Solanum tuberosum)

Abstract

Mustard seed meal (MSM) derived from Sinapis alba controls weeds for several weeks following application to soil, but also has potential to injure the planted crop. Producers of certified organic potatoes typically utilize a combination of cover crops, soil hilling, harrowing, and cultivation for weed control. Once the potato canopy nears row closure, most late emerging weeds are suppressed by the dense potato canopy. MSM may have value for early season weed suppression in potato, but has not been previously tested. Our objectives were to determine the weed control efficacy and potato tolerance to MSM. We evaluated response of potatoes and weeds to MSM applied at 1.1, 2.2, and 4.5 MT ha -1 applied in a band on the potato hill just after a shallow harrowing and prior to potato emergence as part of an integrated weed management program in potatoes. MSM applied at 2.2 and 4.5 MT ha -1 reduced early season grass and broadleaf weed density 73 to 99% and 54 to 98%, respectively, in potato and reduced late season broadleaf weed biomass 71 to 94% in all three years tested. Early season grass weed density in potato was reduced by MSM at 2.2 and 4.5 MT ha -1 . Late season grass weed biomass was reduced by the highest rate of 4.5 MT ha -1 . MSM at 4.5 MT ha -1 caused minor injury to potato (3 to 15%) at 3 weeks after emergence, but did not reduce total tuber yields or percentage of US No.1 tubers. MSM could be a component of an integrated weed control program in potato.

Effect of Seed Meals on Weed Control and Soil Physical Properties in Direct-Seeded Pumpkin

“…There is almost no information on the response of pumpkin plants following the pre-emergence application of MSM and SSM, especially at different rates. However, these results were in agreement with previous studies for other crops such as potato plants, where MSM at 2.2 MT ha −1 showed a 2% injury on potato plants that were recovered later [26]. In contrast with other studies, MSM at 2.25 and 4.5 MT ha −1 severely reduced crop establishment of direct-seeded cucurbits [29], and lettuce emergence was reduced by at least 75% when planted into 3% (w/w) yellow mustard-amended soil earlier than 5 weeks after meal application [23].…”

“…While MM 2 provided 61% and 65% of narrow leaf and broadleaf weed control, respectively, as compared to the untreated control, MM 1 and both SSM treatments controlled weeds less than 60%. Our observations in direct-seeded pumpkin are in essential agreement with previous studies for various crops, where MSM at 2.2 to 4.5 MT ha −1 reduced early season weed density in cucurbits, onions, broccoli, and potato [26,29,36,57]. Darby et al [58] also reported similar results with sunflower and mustard seed meals in sweet corn.…”

“…Furthermore, the mustard seed meal (MSM) and sunflower seed meal (SSM) are the byproducts of biodiesel and industrial oil production after oil extraction [24,25]. They release biologically active allelochemicals that can provide a resource for supplemental nutrients and weed suppression in vegetable cropping systems [26][27][28][29]. Plants of the Brassicaceae family contain glucosinolates, which are β-thioglucosides with a sulphonated oxime moiety and a variable side-chain derived from amino acids [30].…”

“…It has been reported in many studies that MSM can reduce the emergence and growth of both narrow and broadleaf weeds [26,[35][36][37]. Handiseni et al [38] reported that MSM applied at 2 metric tons (MT) ha −1 reduced the emergence and biomass of wild oat (Avena fatua), Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum L.), redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus L.), and prickly lettuce (Lactuca serriola L.).…”

Use of Natural Products for Weed Management in High-Value Crops: An Overview

“…Furthermore, GSLs are found throughout Brassicaceae plant tissues but they are most concentrated in the seeds [30,31]. Evidence from previous studies have confirmed that BSMs can be used as a potential bioherbicide [25,[32][33][34]. Applying 3% Indian mustard seed meal in the soil reduced plant biomass of redroot pigweed by 74% as compared to unamended control [26].…”