Evaluation of Oriental Mustard (Brassica juncea) Seed Meal for Weed Suppression in Turf

Abstract

Oriental mustard seed meal (MSM), a byproduct generated by pressing the seed for oil, exhibits herbicidal properties. In turfgrass, soil fumigants such as methyl bromide are used to control weeds prior to renovation of turf. Environmental concerns have resulted in deregistration of methyl bromide, prompting the need for alternatives. The objective of this research was to determine the effect of MSM on the establishment of selected turfgrass weeds as well as inhibitory effects on establishment of desirable turfgrasses. Greenhouse experiments were conducted in 2006 and 2007 at the University of Missouri. MSM was amended in soil at 0, 1,350 (low), 2,350 (medium), and 3,360 kg ha−1(high) concentrations. Weed species included annual bluegrass, large crabgrass, buckhorn plantain, white clover, and common chickweed. Turfgrass species included: Rembrandt tall fescue, Evening Shade perennial rye, and Riviera bermudagrass. All species were seeded into soil amended with MSM and either tarped or left untarped. All treatments were compared to dazomet (392 kg ha−1), a synthetic standard. Plant counts and biomass of all species were recorded 4 wk after seeding. Overall, tarped treatments suppressed weed emergence 27 to 50% more compared to untarped treatments, except for large crabgrass. High rates of MSM suppressed emergence of all weeds ≥ 63%. Compared to the untreated control, the density of buckhorn plantain, white clover, and common chickweed was reduced by ≥ 42% at low rates of MSM. Biomass of buckhorn plantain, annual bluegrass, common chickweed, white clover, and large crabgrass was reduced from 37 to 99% at high rates of MSM. MSM at high rates reduced stand counts of tall fescue and perennial ryegrass up to 81% and 77% respectively, compared to the untreated control. Regardless of MSM rates or tarping, suppression of common bermudagrass emergence did not exceed 30%; tarped treatments actually increased bermudagrass emergence by 22%. The biomass for tall fescue, perennial ryegrass, and bermudagrass was reduced by 85, 68, and 10%, respectively, at high rates of MSM. For tall fescue, MSM at all rates strongly suppressed seed germination by 7 d after planting (DAP) (up to 100%), with additional germination observed through 14 DAP, but not thereafter. In both trials, dazomet completely suppressed emergence of all weeds. MSM appears to suppress emergence and growth of a number of weeds common in turf, with potential selectivity for bermudagrass.

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

“…Although MSM suppresses weed emergence and growth, it also can negatively affect crop seed germination and growth (Rice, Johnson-Maynard, Thill, & Morra, 2007;Earlywine, Smeda, Teuton, Sams, & Xiong, 2010;Boydston, Morra, Borek, Clayton, & Vaughn, 2011). MSM derived from Sinapis alba applied to the soil at 2.2 and 4.5 MT ha -1 reduced weed emergence by 76 to 91% for a period of 4 wks in onion (Allium cepa) (Boydston et al, 2011).…”

Evaluation of Crop Seed Powders as Amendments for Purple Nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus) Control Compared to the Traditional Herbicide, Roundup

“…Plants of the Brassicaceae, or crucifer family, have been utilized as cover crops and green manures for decades because of their ability to suppress crop pests such as weeds, nematodes, insects, and soil-borne pathogens (Earlywine et al, 2010). Incorporation of Brassicaceae tissues into the soil also provides other ecological services such as nutrient recycling, moisture retention, improvement of soil tilth, and mitigation of erosion (Bangarwa, 2011).…”

“…One study showed that soil amendment with brown mustard seed meal successfully suppressed the emergence of several weeds species including large crabgrass, annual bluegrass (Poa annua), buckhorn plantain (Plantago lanceolata), white clover (Trifolium repens), and common chickweed (Stellaria media) by 63% or more (Earlywine, 2010).…”

“…The spreading of low-permeability polyethylene mulches or tarps over treated soils greatly increases the amount of heat retained while minimizing the escape of volatile ITCs during the glucosinolate break down process (Earlywine et al, 2010). Polyethylene mulches allow allelochemicals to be absorbed more efficiently by purple nutsedge tubers occurring within treated soils.…”

“…For example, reduced weed emergence and biomass were reported for barnyardgrass, redroot pigweed, and hairy vetch (Vicia villosa) grown in tarped EUs treated with 8,533 kg/ha of yellow mustard seed meal (Hoagland et al, 2008). Greenhouse experiments conducted by Earlywine et al (2010) found that tarping containers treated with brown mustard seed meal decreased emergence of several weed and turfgrass species by up to 50% while reducing biomass up to 57%.…”