Use of fertilizers and biostimulants in the control of (Struthanthus densiflorus)

Abstract

The (Struthanthus densiflorus) has been a persistent problem for worldwide for generations, with few effective control solutions. Therefore, an experiment was conducted in the Veracruz state, Mexico, to find new, more cost-effective or efficient alternatives, such as using chemical fertilizers and biostimulants, instead of the traditional manual method. This study utilized a completely randomized block design with 5 treatments and 4 replications, applied once on January 7, 2023. The treatments were: T1 (control), T2 (sulfamin premium), T3 (urea), T4 (sulfamin premium + metabolic), and T5 (urea + metabolic), using chemical fertilizers and their combinations with a biostimulant. Treatments T2, T3, T4, and T5 achieved complete control of the "seca palo" weed, unlike treatment T1. There were no differences in the number of fallen fruits among the treatments, and no phytotoxicity was observed in the trees following the application of fertilizers and biostimulants, demonstrating their biological effectiveness against "seca palo." It is considered that the general conditions of the trees before the treatments, such as the lack of fertilization, pruning, and other cultural practices, may have influenced the results obtained.