EVALUATION OF Psidium guajava LEAVES AND ACETIC ACID AS NATURAL HERBICIDES FOR CONTROLLING SOME WEEDS OF Capsicum annuum CROP

controlling weeds associated to Capsicum annuum L. Plants.

Abstract

Allelopathy and natural products are safe non-chemical modern techniques that applied as alternative to synthetic herbicides for controlling weeds. So, two pot experiments were conducted to evaluate the allelopathic effect of Psidium guajava leaf powder (PLP) and Acetic acid 5% as a natural product on the growth and yield of Capsicum annuum plants and both associated weeds: Phalaris minor  (grassy weed) and Malva parviflora (broad-leaved weed). PLP was mixed with in the soil surface at successive rates (15, 30, 45 and 60 g/pot). In the corresponding treatments PLP at the same sequenced rates was mixed with the soil then sprayed with acetic acid 5% immediately. Moreover, sole spraying of acetic acid 5% treatment was sprayed on the soil surface. All treatments were applied before transplanting directly. Results revealed that the maximum inhibition of both weeds in both seasons was recorded by PLP at 60g + Acetic acid 5% as compared to unweeded control. Concerning to C. annuum growth parameters and yield traits, sole application of PLP at successive rates is more effective than PLP at the same successive rates with acetic acid 5%. So, it was observed that PLP at 60g/pot and 45 g/pot significantly developed most of growth parameters and yield traits of C. annuum than the healthy plants in both seasons. On the contrary, acetic acid treatment alone recorded the lowest value of all growth parameters and yield traits of Capsicum annuum plants.Allelopathy and natural products are safe non-chemical modern techniques that applied as alternative to synthetic herbicides for controlling weeds. So, two pot experiments were conducted to evaluate the allelopathic effect of Psidium guajava leaf powder (PLP) and Acetic acid 5% as a natural product on the growth and yield of Capsicum annuum plants and both associated weeds: Phalaris minor  (grassy weed) and Malva parviflora (broad-leaved weed). PLP was mixed with in the soil surface at successive rates (15, 30, 45 and 60 g/pot). In the corresponding treatments PLP at the same sequenced rates was mixed with the soil then sprayed with acetic acid 5% immediately. Moreover, sole spraying of acetic acid 5% treatment was sprayed on the soil surface. All treatments were applied before transplanting directly. Results revealed that the maximum inhibition of both weeds in both seasons was recorded by PLP at 60g + Acetic acid 5% as compared to unweeded control. Concerning to C. annuum growth parameters and yield traits, sole application of PLP at successive rates is more effective than PLP at the same successive rates with acetic acid 5%. So, it was observed that PLP at 60g/pot and 45 g/pot significantly developed most of growth parameters and yield traits of C. annuum than the healthy plants in both seasons. On the contrary, acetic acid treatment alone recorded the lowest value of all growth parameters and yield traits of Capsicum annuum plants.