Weed control is a significant challenge in tomato production, often resulting in considerable yield losses and compromised fruit quality. Common weeds in tomato cultivation, such as nutsedges, annual grasses, and Palmer amaranth, exacerbate this issue. With limited effective weed control options available, there's a critical need for an integrated approach that can alleviate weed pressure while safeguarding crop yield and quality. One promising solution is the utilization of biochar herbicide protection pods (HPPs). In our greenhouse trial, we evaluated the efficacy of HPPs in enhancing tomato tolerance to S-metolachlor and metribuzin herbicides. By incorporating activated carbon within the HPPs to shield crop plants from soil-active herbicides, which they marginally tolerate, we aimed to improve weed management effectiveness. Tomato seeds were encapsulated within four distinct HPPs: DFBC Cornstarch, DFBC Selvol, RHBC Cornstarch, and RHBC Selvol. Control tomato seeds without biochar were also included. Treatments were applied to tomato seedlings at the 2-3 leaf stage with S-metolachlor (1681.28 g/ha) or metribuzin (1120.85 g/ha), with visual injury evaluations conducted at 7, 14, and 21 days after application (DAA). Dry mass measurements were taken at 21 DAA, with an untreated control included for comparison. In the presence of metribuzin, three biochar treatments exhibited injury levels of around 70%, compared to a higher injury rate of 79% in the treatment without biochar. However, there was no significant difference in dry mass. Conversely, no discernible injury differences were noted among treatments with S-metolachlor, yet three biochar treatments demonstrated substantial enhancements in dry biomass. Specifically, treatments with biochar recorded notable increases in dry mass compared to those without biochar, indicating a 28 to 35% boost in biomass. These preliminary findings highlight the potential of biochar HPPs in enhancing crop health, yield, and weed management efficacy in tomato farming.
