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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Houma, Louisiana » Sugarcane Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #313892
Title: Comparison of two application methods for potential organic control of duckweed utilizing pelargonic acid as an aquatic herbicide

Author
item TAYLOR, MERRITT - Oklahoma State University
item Webber Iii, Charles
item WEBBER, DANIEL - University Of Arkansas

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/26/2015
Publication Date: 8/5/2015
Citation: Taylor, M.J., Webber III, C.L., Webber, D.M. 2015. Comparison of two application methods for potential organic control of duckweed utilizing pelargonic acid as an aquatic herbicide [abstract]. Southern Association of Agricultural Scientists Annual Meeting, Atlanta, Georgia, January 30 to February 4, 2015. No. 196835.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Duckweeds (Lemna spp.) are small, free-floating, aquatic plants that flourish on stagnant or slow moving water surfaces throughout the world. Members of the genus are among the smallest flowering plants, providing food for fish and fowl. But their aggressive growth and invasive tendencies make them formidable aquatic weeds, which when uncontrolled can result in oxygen depletion, fish kills, and death of submerged aquatic plants. Pelargonic acid (C9H12O2) is a naturally occurring fatty acid in many plants and animals. Pelargonic acid (AXXE®) is an OMRI approved broad spectrum organic herbicide. Two application methods were compared to determine the potential economic advantage of controlling duckweed using pelargonic acid as an aquatic herbicide. Method one (Water Solution Technique) involved adding pelargonic acid to water to control the duckweed growing on the water surface. Method two (Over-the-Top Application) involved a broadcast over-the-top application of pelargonic acid directly on the growing duckweed. Both experiments were conducted at Lane, Oklahoma. Over-the-Top Application, produced 98% control at approximately 2% the cost of the Water Solution Technique, $243/ha versus $12,680/ha of surface water. The research demonstrated the effectiveness of pelargonic acid in controlling duckweed and the advantage of the precise, environmentally targeted, cost-effective over-the-top application compared to using a water solution technique.