N. B. Shamiyeh, A. B. Smith and C. A. Mullins

Plots treated with the Bio-Herbicide ‘Natures Glory’ did not differ significantly in weed control from the untreated check plots. Plots treated with Valor herbicide mixed with Select had no weeds or grasses throughout the growing season.

Nature’s Glory Bio-herbicide is a weed and grass killer for non-selective control of herbaceous broadleaf and grass weeds in non-crop, right-of-way industrial land sites. The active ingredient is 25% Ethanoic Acid. Nature’s Glory weed and grass killer is a post-emergent, foliar-active vegetation management product formulated to contain an organic acid. It is non-selective to green foliage and non-residual in soil. It is fast acting and foliar contact results in rapid burndown and control of annual weeds and grasses and top reduction of herbaceous perennial weeds and grasses. It is corrosive and carries a Danger hazard classification class. Weed control is very important for successful production of tomatoes and snap beans. In 2001, an experiment was conducted at the University of Tennessee Plateau Experiment Station near Crossville to evaluate phytotoxicity and efficacy of Nature’s Glory in tomatoes and snap beans.

Transplants of Tomato (Mountain Fresh), and snap beans (Roma II) were set on 30 May at The University of Tennessee Plateau Experiment Station, Crossville. Plots were 2 rows wide with one crop in each row by 15ft long. Plants were set 12 inches apart and rows were planted on 6 ft centers. Treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block design with four replications. Blocks were separated by 5ft alleys. Soil type was classified as Lily Sandy Loam with a pH 6.2.. Herbicide applications were made 19 June and 3 July using a 2.5 gallon back pack CO₂ hand sprayer at 40 gpa and 40 psi. A third application was made on 23 July using higher rates of Nature’s Glory. Phytotoxicity and weed control were recorded on 3 , 16 July, 1 , and 14 August. Weed population consisted of : Purslane ( high) , Common Ragweed, Carpet Weed, Smart Weed, Pigweed had moderate populations; and a low population of grasses. All data were subjected to ANOVA.

All plots treated with Nature’s Glory at the high and low rates had high weed populations and were not significantly different than the untreated check plots. The mixture of Select herbicide with Nature’s Glory only controlled the grasses as expected since Select will control them. Valor herbicide mixed with Select controlled all weeds and grasses for the entire growing season. Since weed control was about the same for all the weed population, percent weed control was reported as one and grasses as another. Data indicated that Nature’s Glory will not control weeds and at 1:3 dilution would be costly to use.

Table 1. Effect of Nature’s Glory ( 1:30 and 1:60 Dilution ) on weed control in tomato and snap bean at The University of Tennessee Plateau Experiment Station at Crossville, 2001.

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This research represents one season's data and does not constitute recommendations.  After sufficient data is collected over the appropriate number of seasons, final recommendations will be made through research and extension publications.