Leaf-Waste Pellets as a Herbicide Carrier for Container-Grown Ornamental Plants

An organic herbicide carrier could help reduce misapplication and environmental pollution associated with spray application of herbicides. Pellets prepared from landscape leaves that were dried, ground, and pelletized were evaluated as a preemergence herbicide carrier for container-grown ornamental plants. Isoxaben, pendimethalin, and prodiamine at rates of 1.12, 2.25, and 2.25 kg ai/ha, respectively, with either water or landscape leaf-waste pellets as a carrier were applied to chrysanthemum 'Lisa', spirea 'Neon Flash', and wintercreeper 'Coloratus'. Common groundsel, common purslane, and giant foxtail were seeded following herbicide application. Leaf-waste pellets as a carrier produced equivalent efficacy and phytotoxicity ratings to conventional spray application of pendimethalin and prodiamine on both chrysanthemum and wintercreeper. The leaf-waste pellets were not an effective carrier for the application of isoxaben alone. The pellets had inconsistent effects on spirea phytotoxicity and growth.