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Hydrogen peroxide for plants can be an excellent ally in controlling pests and diseases.
The mixture of water and oxygen It offers a rapid oxidative reaction against insects and fungi and also has the property of releasing oxygen into the environment, which is very interesting for soils flooded with water.
In this article we explain the main uses of the hydrogen peroxide or hydrogen peroxide (it can also be called that) for the plants and the dose used.
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Benefits of Hydrogen Peroxide for Plants
Hydrogen peroxide or hydrogen peroxide is a highly reactive liquid solution that has high oxidizing power, such as ozone.
For this reason, it has been used for years to eliminate traces of organic matter in pipes and irrigation installations, as well as for remove biofilm (protective layer or mucilage produced by bacteria to protect themselves, insoluble and difficult to eliminate).
When the liquid hydrogen peroxide solution comes in contact with insects, bacteria, fungi, yeasts, viruses and spores, it kills microorganisms within minutes and reduces the protective layer (exoskeleton) of insects , making them more vulnerable.
On the other hand, in recent years, hydrogen peroxide as an oxygenating agent. Increases dissolved oxygen in the growing medium to improve root production and prevent so-called root smothering.
On the other hand, when breaks down into oxygen and waterdoes not produce any residue, so it is considered harmless and sustainable for the environment.
Here is a summary of the benefits of hydrogen peroxide for plants:
- Cleans pipes and irrigation materials, removing encrusted organic matter and biofilm.
- Disinfects surfaces and eliminates all types of microorganisms.
- In foliar application, it is active against soft-bodied insects (mites, aphids, thrips, scale insects, etc.).
Uses of hydrogen peroxide for plants
Hydrogen peroxide for water-flooded soils
In soils flooded with water after the rains, it is advisable to apply a dose of 200-500 cc/1000 m2 hydrogen peroxide surface. The commonly used concentration of hydrogen peroxide for plants is 50%.
The equivalent for flooded soils, depending on the amount of water, is 4 to 6 L per 100 m3 of irrigation water.
We will be able to reduce the proliferation of fungi that take advantage of humidity to attack plants and we will increase the oxygen concentration between.
For fertigation applications, it is advisable to increase the stability of the product as long as possible, because the main disadvantage of hydrogen peroxide is that in contact with water, it is very reactive and its properties are lost in a few minutes.
This is why one can find mixtures of hydrogen peroxide with silver nitrate as a stabilizer.
Faced with a problem of lack or improvement of oxygen (waterlogging, heavy soil, etc.): 4-6 L/100,000 L of irrigation water, with which the oxygenation that the root needs will be obtained, avoiding hypoxia. Along with this product, the use of peracetic mixtures available from the manufacturer by foliar spraying is recommended. (Injection with an electromagnetic pump or a venturi type dispenser in the same nutrient solution).
Insect and disease control
Due to its oxidizing action, hydrogen peroxide can be used to fight different darlingbedbugs, soft-bodied insects and bacteria.
The usual dose is 300 ml/hl (100 liters of water) The application must be done at a certain speed to prevent the hydrogen peroxide from losing its effect.
We will perform this foliar application every 2 or 3 days until the pest or disease is eliminated.
Dam water cleaning
To increase the oxygen concentration, interesting at the beginning of algae proliferation, a dose of 5-7 L per 100 m3 of dam water, for a 50% w/w hydrogen peroxide.
To prevent the proliferation of algae in a preventive way, it is generally used different forms of copperthe most common being copper sulphate.
Oxygenation of irrigation water in ponds: shock treatment: 5-7 L/100 m3 of stored water.
read more: Can copper and sulfur be mixed for foliar application?
Continuous treatment of irrigation water
In waters with a high concentration of organic matter or for the purpose of improving plant health through irrigation water, hydrogen peroxide can be applied continuously.
The dose for continuous treatment is 30-60 ppm when the hydrogen peroxide has a concentration of 50%. The dose equivalent is 3-6 L per 100 m3 of irrigation water.
Washing of irrigation pipes
At the beginning of the irrigation campaign, when we have stopped the pipes for a few weeks or months, it is advisable to use a solution to remove traces of organic matter embedded in the walls of the pipe.
Hydrogen peroxide can help us oxidize and clean the sides of the drip holder or sprinkler. For this, the application dose is as follows:
Rinse the pipes with 4 liters of hydrogen peroxide for each m3 of water. We will apply water until the entire pipe is completely filled and the liquid comes out through the drippers or sprinklers.
Next, we will leave the solution for 60 minutes down the pipe to remove any remaining organic matter. From there we will perform a rinse wash.