Control Efficacy of Natural Products on Broadleaf and Grass Weeds Using Various Application Methods

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Weeds have always accompanied cultivated plants and when they occur more frequently, they can cause large losses in crops. They can also adversely affect crop quality. Chemical weed control is effective, but it can pose a threat to other elements of the environment and humans. Therefore, other solutions are sought that will reduce the use of herbicides or facilitate the control of weeds in organic farming. Therefore, in my opinion, the research presented in the manuscript is interesting and up-to-date. The subject of the research is consistent with the thematic scope of the Agronomy journal. The authors obtained interesting results, the question remains whether it is applicable in practice. In a pot experiment, 10 ml brown rice vinegar and EM powder soap were applied on the soil surface at 1, 3, 5, and 10%. How much would that be per hectare? I guess a lot.

The experiment presented in the manuscript was properly planned, it allows to explain the hypotheses put forward in the introduction. The research material is sufficient. The results were statistically analyzed and discussed and interpreted in detail. Tables and graphs are generally well prepared, understandable and legible.

I have only: 

1. This sentence needs to be corrected -‘Abouziena et al. [28] investigated natural controls for weeds at two growth phases, and the efficacy of vinegar and clove oil sprayed at various temperatures, relative humidity, and weed growth stages [29]’ -  Abouziena et al. are not the authors of the studies listed in References at number 29.

2. I suggest removing this part of the text ‘(treatment methods, single and combination treatments, application frequency, different concentrations, and plant extracts etc.)’

3. Subchapter 2.2. What was the composition of 'natural emulsifier B? What is this?

4. please specify in the explanations under the graphs what the bars mean - standard error or standard deviation

5. Table 9 and 10 - please consider removing '1%' from HC and PO. In the Material and Methods section it is stated that it was 1%.

Author Response

Reviewer1

Weeds have always accompanied cultivated plants and when they occur more frequently, they can cause large losses in crops. They can also adversely affect crop quality. Chemical weed control is effective, but it can pose a threat to other elements of the environment and humans. Therefore, other solutions are sought that will reduce the use of herbicides or facilitate the control of weeds in organic farming. Therefore, in my opinion, the research presented in the manuscript is interesting and up-to-date. The subject of the research is consistent with the thematic scope of the Agronomy journal. The authors obtained interesting results, the question remains whether it is applicable in practice. In a pot experiment, 10 ml brown rice vinegar and EM powder soap were applied on the soil surface at 1, 3, 5, and 10%. How much would that be per hectare? I guess a lot.

The experiment presented in the manuscript was properly planned, it allows to explain the hypotheses put forward in the introduction. The research material is sufficient. The results were statistically analyzed and discussed and interpreted in detail. Tables and graphs are generally well prepared, understandable and legible.

I have only:

1. This sentence needs to be corrected -‘Abouziena et al. [28] investigated natural controls for weeds at two growth phases, and the efficacy of vinegar and clove oil sprayed at various temperatures, relative humidity, and weed growth stages [29]’ -  Abouziena et al. are not the authors of the studies listed in References at number 29.

Response: Corrected

2. I suggest removing this part of the text ‘(treatment methods, single and combination treatments, application frequency, different concentrations, and plant extracts etc.)’

Response: Corrected

3. Subchapter 2.2. What was the composition of 'natural emulsifier B? What is this?

Response: The materials are similar to natural emulsifier A. We mentioned in Martials and Methods section.

4. please specify in the explanations under the graphs what the bars mean - standard error or standard deviation

Response: corrected

5. Table 9 and 10 - please consider removing '1%' from HC and PO. In the Material and Methods section it is stated that it was 1%.

Response: corrected

Reviewer 2 Report

it is useful for study on the inhibitory effects of brown rice vinegar and EM powder soap on grass and broadleaf weeds, the manuscript be accepted after minor revision.

1. added the content of acetic acid of various commercial vinegars.

2. if possible, descript the production of EM fermented liquor.

3. the last 3 rows of Table 1-4 may be deleted, because it is no different.

4. page 3, line 2, should be thin font,

5. please check the references of 10.

Author Response

Reviewer 2

It is useful for study on the inhibitory effects of brown rice vinegar and EM powder soap on grass and broadleaf weeds, the manuscript be accepted after minor revision.

1. added the content of acetic acid of various commercial vinegars.

Response: corrected

2. if possible, descript the production of EM fermented liquor.

Response: The materials contained various components. So, we mentioned product companies in materials and methods section.

3. the last 3 rows of Table 1-4 may be deleted, because it is no different.

Response: We will keep these rows so that all tables are consistent.

4. page 3, line 2, should be thin font,

Response: corrected

5. please check the references of 10.

Response: corrected

Reviewer 3 Report

Title:

ok.

Abstract:

·         Consider rephrasing the sentence "Synthetic herbicides have had direct and indirect negative effects on biological organisms as well as on human health" to make it more direct, for instance: "Synthetic herbicides have negatively impacted biological organisms and human health."

·         Use specific terms like "organic" and "conventional" agriculture instead of "traditional" and "non-synthetic" instead of "natural" to avoid ambiguity

·          Summarize the practical implications of the findings for agricultural practices more explicitly. How can these results inform real-world weed management strategies?

Introduction

·         Consider rephrasing the opening sentence for better flow and clarity. For instance, "Weed management poses a significant challenge for organic farmers.

·         When introducing synthetic herbicides, mention their modes of action and advantages briefly before delving into their negative aspects.

·         When introducing the recent emergence of natural weed control options, provide a few examples of these substances.

·         Specify the specific scope or type of certification granted by the Organic Materials Review Institute.

·         Provide context for why testing of organic herbicides is inadequate.

·         Briefly mention how affordable and effective natural herbicides align with the principles of sustainable agriculture

·         Ensure a clear statement of the study's main objectives in assessing the herbicidal potential of various natural products using different application methods.

Materials and methods

2.1. Plant Materials:

Clarify the rationale for selecting these specific weed species and their relevance to the study's objectives.

2.2. Natural Products:

·         Briefly explain the role or purpose of each natural product in the context of weed control.

2.3. Control Effects in Petri Dish Bioassay:

Explain the rationale behind the chosen light intensity (100 μmol m2 s-1) and time intervals (1, 3, 5, and 7 days) for recording measurements.

2.4. Control Effects of Brown Rice Vinegar and EM Powder Soap with Different Application Methods:

Justify the selection of specific concentrations (1%, 3%, 5%, and 10%) and timing of applications in relation to weed growth stages.

2.5. Control Effects of Brown Rice Vinegar and EM Powder Soap on Other Broadleaf and Grass Weeds:

Explain the criteria for selecting these specific weed species and their characteristics.

2.6. Control Effect of Application Frequency of Brown Rice Vinegar and EM Powder Soap:

Discuss the significance of chosen intervals (7-day interval for foliar, immediate planting for soil) and their relation to weed growth cycles.

2.7. Control Effects of Combined Brown Rice Vinegar and EM Powder Soap Treatments with Adjuvants:

Elucidate why specific adjuvants were chosen and their potential interactions with brown rice vinegar and EM powder soap.

2.8. Statistical Analysis:

Include a brief explanation of why Duncan's Multiple Range Test was chosen and its suitability for the study's design.

Results and Discussion.

·         Presented well

Conclusions

·         Clarify the implications and practical significance of achieving complete weed control with brown rice vinegar and EM powder soap at 5% concentrations in Petri dish bioassays. What does this suggest for their potential use in real-world agricultural scenarios?

·         Consider discussing the potential limitations or challenges associated with using soil applications over foliar applications, despite the former's higher effectiveness in weed inhibition.

·         Discuss the broader implications of your findings on sustainable agricultural practices and the potential integration of brown rice vinegar and EM powder soap into integrated weed management strategies.

General comments

 After carefully reviewing the manuscript, I must commend the author for their skillful writing and overall presentation. However, I have identified several areas where the manuscript could be improved. These suggestions are intended to help the author further enhance the manuscript's readability, structure, and impacts. 

Recheck the manuscript for English improvements. 

Author Response

Reviewer3

Abstract:

• Consider rephrasing the sentence "Synthetic herbicides have had direct and indirect negative effects on biological organisms as well as on human health" to make it more direct, for instance: "Synthetic herbicides have negatively impacted biological organisms and human health."

Response: corrected

• Use specific terms like "organic" and "conventional" agriculture instead of "traditional" and "non-synthetic" instead of "natural" to avoid ambiguity

Response: corrected

• Summarize the practical implications of the findings for agricultural practices more explicitly. How can these results inform real-world weed management strategies?

Response: We addressed them.

Introduction

• Consider rephrasing the opening sentence for better flow and clarity. For instance, "Weed management poses a significant challenge for organic farmers.

Response: corrected

• When introducing synthetic herbicides, mention their modes of action and advantages briefly before delving into their negative aspects.

Response: We addressed them.

• When introducing the recent emergence of natural weed control options, provide a few examples of these substances.

Response: We addressed them.

• Specify the specific scope or type of certification granted by the Organic Materials Review Institute.

Response: We addressed them.

• Provide context for why testing of organic herbicides is inadequate.

Response: We addressed them.

• Briefly mention how affordable and effective natural herbicides align with the principles of sustainable agriculture

Response: We addressed them.

• Ensure a clear statement of the study's main objectives in assessing the herbicidal potential of various natural products using different application methods.

Materials and methods

2.1. Plant Materials:

Clarify the rationale for selecting these specific weed species and their relevance to the study's objectives.

Response: We addressed in Introduction section.

2.2. Natural Products:

• Briefly explain the role or purpose of each natural product in the context of weed control.

 Response: We addressed them.

2.3. Control Effects in Petri Dish Bioassay:

Explain the rationale behind the chosen light intensity (100 μmol m2 s-1) and time intervals (1, 3, 5, and 7 days) for recording measurements.

Response: We addressed them.

2.4. Control Effects of Brown Rice Vinegar and EM Powder Soap with Different Application Methods:

Justify the selection of specific concentrations (1%, 3%, 5%, and 10%) and timing of applications in relation to weed growth stages.

Response: We addressed them.

2.5. Control Effects of Brown Rice Vinegar and EM Powder Soap on Other Broadleaf and Grass Weeds:

Explain the criteria for selecting these specific weed species and their characteristics.

Response: We addressed them.

2.6. Control Effect of Application Frequency of Brown Rice Vinegar and EM Powder Soap:

Discuss the significance of chosen intervals (7-day interval for foliar, immediate planting for soil) and their relation to weed growth cycles.

Response: We addressed them.

2.7. Control Effects of Combined Brown Rice Vinegar and EM Powder Soap Treatments with Adjuvants:

Elucidate why specific adjuvants were chosen and their potential interactions with brown rice vinegar and EM powder soap.

Response: We addressed them.

2.8. Statistical Analysis:

Include a brief explanation of why Duncan's Multiple Range Test was chosen and its suitability for the study's design.

Response: We addressed them.

Results and Discussion.

• Presented well

Conclusions

• Clarify the implications and practical significance of achieving complete weed control with brown rice vinegar and EM powder soap at 5% concentrations in Petri dish bioassays. What does this suggest for their potential use in real-world agricultural scenarios?

   Response: We addressed them.

• Consider discussing the potential limitations or challenges associated with using soil applications over foliar applications, despite the former's higher effectiveness in weed inhibition.

      Response: We addressed them.

• Discuss the broader implications of your findings on sustainable agricultural practices and the potential integration of brown rice vinegar and EM powder soap into integrated weed management strategies.

      Response: We addressed them.

General comments

 After carefully reviewing the manuscript, I must commend the author for their skillful writing and overall presentation. However, I have identified several areas where the manuscript could be improved. These suggestions are intended to help the author further enhance the manuscript's readability, structure, and impacts. 

Response: Thank you. We made as many corrections as we could to improve our work.