Event Title
Start Date
30-8-2017 11:00 AM
End Date
30-8-2017 11:15 AM
Description
Abstract:
Cranberry growers struggle with controlling the presence of moss of different species in their fields. Few chemical treatments have been tested in the past with mixed results. In organic production, no solution is available for such control. A few web references mention the use of baking soda on driveways and other structures in order to eradicate mosse. The aim of this project was to assess the effectiveness of sodium bicarbonate to control moss in productive cranberry bogs without damaging the plants.
Many sources of information on the Web refer to a dose of 30 g / liter (4oz / gal) to control moss on driveway. In the first year, as an exploratory project, we conducted three tests on two types of moss from mid-May to mid-June. We tested four doses from 15 to 80 g / L (2 to 10.7 oz / gal) applied in four random blocks of 1 ft2 for each dose. In the 2nd year, we try to adjust theses doses in order to apply the product with the boom. Project is still underway.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS:
Observations for control effectiveness and regrowth of the moss were conduct 48 hours after each application of the product until mid-September. Soils samples from the root zone were taken every month in order to determine the effect of the bicarbonate on the pH of the soil. The SSE (Solution Soil Extract) method was used to measure the pH.
MAIN RESULTS:
The reference concentration found on the Internet revealed to be the most economical, effective and durable dose. The experiment show that 15 g (2 oz) / ft2 is the best dose to use. The liquid treatment is to promoted: it allows a more uniform coverage on the crop. The principal problem seen at this point is the amount of water volume needed to apply a proper dose to control the moss. Haircap moss is easier to control. The use of sodium bicarbonate modifies the soil pH momentarily. After 2 months, we measured a return to normal pH values. No damage on cranberry plants were observed in the first year trials; treatments were done during spring dormancy of the cranberry plants.
CONCLUSION:
Sodium bicarbonate seems to be a very promising, effective and safe way to control different kinds of mosses. One year later after the first trial, we still see the efficacy of the bicarbonate: very weak growth (or none) of the cypress moss is seen in the plots from 2016. That product is accepted by Organic certification body, Ecocert, in Quebec but not yet registered by PMRA (Pest Management Regulatory Agency) in Canada. In the future, it would be a very good tool to use in both organic and conventional cropping systems to help growers manage moss in their fields.
Recommended Citation
Moreau, Jocelyn, "Biocontrol of Moss with Sodium Bicarbonate" (2017). North American Cranberry Researcher and Extension Workers Conference. 18.
https://scholarworks.umass.edu/nacrew/2017/papers/18
Included in
Biocontrol of Moss with Sodium Bicarbonate
Abstract:
Cranberry growers struggle with controlling the presence of moss of different species in their fields. Few chemical treatments have been tested in the past with mixed results. In organic production, no solution is available for such control. A few web references mention the use of baking soda on driveways and other structures in order to eradicate mosse. The aim of this project was to assess the effectiveness of sodium bicarbonate to control moss in productive cranberry bogs without damaging the plants.
Many sources of information on the Web refer to a dose of 30 g / liter (4oz / gal) to control moss on driveway. In the first year, as an exploratory project, we conducted three tests on two types of moss from mid-May to mid-June. We tested four doses from 15 to 80 g / L (2 to 10.7 oz / gal) applied in four random blocks of 1 ft2 for each dose. In the 2nd year, we try to adjust theses doses in order to apply the product with the boom. Project is still underway.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS:
Observations for control effectiveness and regrowth of the moss were conduct 48 hours after each application of the product until mid-September. Soils samples from the root zone were taken every month in order to determine the effect of the bicarbonate on the pH of the soil. The SSE (Solution Soil Extract) method was used to measure the pH.
MAIN RESULTS:
The reference concentration found on the Internet revealed to be the most economical, effective and durable dose. The experiment show that 15 g (2 oz) / ft2 is the best dose to use. The liquid treatment is to promoted: it allows a more uniform coverage on the crop. The principal problem seen at this point is the amount of water volume needed to apply a proper dose to control the moss. Haircap moss is easier to control. The use of sodium bicarbonate modifies the soil pH momentarily. After 2 months, we measured a return to normal pH values. No damage on cranberry plants were observed in the first year trials; treatments were done during spring dormancy of the cranberry plants.
CONCLUSION:
Sodium bicarbonate seems to be a very promising, effective and safe way to control different kinds of mosses. One year later after the first trial, we still see the efficacy of the bicarbonate: very weak growth (or none) of the cypress moss is seen in the plots from 2016. That product is accepted by Organic certification body, Ecocert, in Quebec but not yet registered by PMRA (Pest Management Regulatory Agency) in Canada. In the future, it would be a very good tool to use in both organic and conventional cropping systems to help growers manage moss in their fields.