2020-2021 Faculty Research Grants
Rob Zdor (Biology)
Exploring the Clay Composition of Sand Mixtures on the Suppressive Effect of Mustard Seed Meal on Velvetleaf Growth
Weed management schemes have been complicated by the development of herbicide-resistant weeds and the removal of certain chemicals (such as methyl bromide) from the repertoire of possible control agents. These developments along with the desire to diversify control strategies make the use of biological agents and natural projects attractive. This proposal builds on some promising recent findings in the Zdor lab with mustard seed meal (MSM) as a tool in the control of the weed velvetleaf. It specifically will explore the effect of clay on MSM efficacy in weed suppression. By manipulating the clay content of a sand mixture we hope to decrease the inhibition of velvetleaf by MSM. It is hypothesized that clay binds to the active weed-suppressive compound in MSM thus limiting MSM effectiveness in velvetleaf suppression. Data from this project will help clarify the soil factors that limit MSM efficacy in weed control.