Preemergent Liverwort Control by Organic Mulching in Containerized Ornamental Production

Liverwort (<i>Marchantia polymorpha</i>) competes for resources within containers, resulting in a reduction in the quality and market value of ornamentals. Therefore, the objective of this study was (1) to assess the impact of different mulch types, depths, and their moisture-holding-cap...

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Main Authors: Manjot Kaur Sidhu, Sushila Chaudhari, Roberto G. Lopez, Eric L. Patterson, Debalina Saha
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-12-01
Series:Horticulturae
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2311-7524/10/12/1282
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author Manjot Kaur Sidhu
Sushila Chaudhari
Roberto G. Lopez
Eric L. Patterson
Debalina Saha
author_facet Manjot Kaur Sidhu
Sushila Chaudhari
Roberto G. Lopez
Eric L. Patterson
Debalina Saha
author_sort Manjot Kaur Sidhu
collection DOAJ
description Liverwort (<i>Marchantia polymorpha</i>) competes for resources within containers, resulting in a reduction in the quality and market value of ornamentals. Therefore, the objective of this study was (1) to assess the impact of different mulch types, depths, and their moisture-holding-capacity on liverwort control and (2) to quantify if phytotoxicities develop on ornamental plants due to the mulches. The percent water retention of four different organic mulches [rice hull (RH), cocoa hull (CH), pine bark (PB), or red hardwood (HW)] was determined in a laboratory experiment. In a greenhouse experiment, the <i>Hosta plantaginea</i> (Plantain Lily) varieties ‘Curly Fries’ and ‘Pandora’s Box’ were mulched with either RH, HW, CH, or PB at a depth of 0.63, 1.27, 2.54, or 5.08 cm. Liverwort thalli coverage on the container surface was visually estimated bi-weekly, and the fresh weight of the thalli was recorded at the end of the experiment. The results indicated that CH mulch retained the highest amount of moisture (86%). The RH and HW mulches, at depths of 1.27 cm or more, provided excellent (>80%) liverwort control in ‘Curly Fries’. All mulches at depths of 1.27 cm or more showed excellent (100%) liverwort control for ‘Pandora’s Box’. Overall, RH and PB mulches at all depths provided excellent liverwort control and no reduction in the growth of ‘Curly Fries’ and ‘Pandora’s Box’.
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spelling doaj-art-e084d492e2bb49b6812164e97d3d28292025-08-20T02:55:45ZengMDPI AGHorticulturae2311-75242024-12-011012128210.3390/horticulturae10121282Preemergent Liverwort Control by Organic Mulching in Containerized Ornamental ProductionManjot Kaur Sidhu0Sushila Chaudhari1Roberto G. Lopez2Eric L. Patterson3Debalina Saha4Department of Horticulture, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USAField Development Representative, Mid-West, FMC Corporation, Plainfield, IL 60585, USADepartment of Horticulture, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USADepartment of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USADepartment of Horticulture, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USALiverwort (<i>Marchantia polymorpha</i>) competes for resources within containers, resulting in a reduction in the quality and market value of ornamentals. Therefore, the objective of this study was (1) to assess the impact of different mulch types, depths, and their moisture-holding-capacity on liverwort control and (2) to quantify if phytotoxicities develop on ornamental plants due to the mulches. The percent water retention of four different organic mulches [rice hull (RH), cocoa hull (CH), pine bark (PB), or red hardwood (HW)] was determined in a laboratory experiment. In a greenhouse experiment, the <i>Hosta plantaginea</i> (Plantain Lily) varieties ‘Curly Fries’ and ‘Pandora’s Box’ were mulched with either RH, HW, CH, or PB at a depth of 0.63, 1.27, 2.54, or 5.08 cm. Liverwort thalli coverage on the container surface was visually estimated bi-weekly, and the fresh weight of the thalli was recorded at the end of the experiment. The results indicated that CH mulch retained the highest amount of moisture (86%). The RH and HW mulches, at depths of 1.27 cm or more, provided excellent (>80%) liverwort control in ‘Curly Fries’. All mulches at depths of 1.27 cm or more showed excellent (100%) liverwort control for ‘Pandora’s Box’. Overall, RH and PB mulches at all depths provided excellent liverwort control and no reduction in the growth of ‘Curly Fries’ and ‘Pandora’s Box’.https://www.mdpi.com/2311-7524/10/12/1282<i>Marchantia polymorpha</i>water retentionHostaornamental productionweeds
spellingShingle Manjot Kaur Sidhu
Sushila Chaudhari
Roberto G. Lopez
Eric L. Patterson
Debalina Saha
Preemergent Liverwort Control by Organic Mulching in Containerized Ornamental Production
Horticulturae
<i>Marchantia polymorpha</i>
water retention
Hosta
ornamental production
weeds
title Preemergent Liverwort Control by Organic Mulching in Containerized Ornamental Production
title_full Preemergent Liverwort Control by Organic Mulching in Containerized Ornamental Production
title_fullStr Preemergent Liverwort Control by Organic Mulching in Containerized Ornamental Production
title_full_unstemmed Preemergent Liverwort Control by Organic Mulching in Containerized Ornamental Production
title_short Preemergent Liverwort Control by Organic Mulching in Containerized Ornamental Production
title_sort preemergent liverwort control by organic mulching in containerized ornamental production
topic <i>Marchantia polymorpha</i>
water retention
Hosta
ornamental production
weeds
url https://www.mdpi.com/2311-7524/10/12/1282
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AT robertoglopez preemergentliverwortcontrolbyorganicmulchingincontainerizedornamentalproduction
AT ericlpatterson preemergentliverwortcontrolbyorganicmulchingincontainerizedornamentalproduction
AT debalinasaha preemergentliverwortcontrolbyorganicmulchingincontainerizedornamentalproduction