Evaluation of <i>Dittrichia viscosa</i> (L.) Greuter Dried Biomass for Weed Management

<i>Dittrichia viscosa</i> (L.) Greuter, a plant species common in the Mediterranean basin, produces several bioactive compounds, some of which have herbicidal effects. A number of greenhouse and field experiments were carried out in order to evaluate if these effects could be obtained al...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Angela Boari, Maurizio Vurro, Generosa Jenny Calabrese, Mohamed Nesma Zakaria Mahmoud, Eugenio Cazzato, Mariano Fracchiolla
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2021-01-01
Series:Plants
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/10/1/147
Description
Summary:<i>Dittrichia viscosa</i> (L.) Greuter, a plant species common in the Mediterranean basin, produces several bioactive compounds, some of which have herbicidal effects. A number of greenhouse and field experiments were carried out in order to evaluate if these effects could be obtained also by using the whole plant biomass, to identify the efficacious doses, determine their effects on seed germination and weed emergence, and to evaluate influence of soil characteristics on biomass efficacy. The experiments carried out evidenced that: (i) the dried biomass completely hampers plant emergence when high doses (30–40 kg biomass m<sup>−3</sup> of soil) are mixed into the soil, or delays it at a lower dose (10 kg m<sup>−3</sup>); (ii) the detrimental effects are not affected by soil type. The exploitation of the <i>D. viscosa</i> dried biomass appears to be a feasible option in weed management practices and its potential is discussed.
ISSN:2223-7747