Olive processing wastes for weed control

The herbicidal effect of olive processing wastes (OPW) on some weed species in wheat, maize and sunflower was investigated in the Aegean region of Turkey. In trials with maize and sunflower, OPW was applied as an air-dried solid form at 3 and 4.5 kg m(-2). It provided an effectiveness level on Portulaca oleracea of 63-98%. In trials with wheat, OPW was applied as solid and liquid forms, each at two different doses, namely 4.5 and 6 kg m(-2) (solid), and 5 and 10 L m(-2) (liquid). Solid OPW provided a reduction in total weed coverage of 75% and 81% at doses of 4.5 and 6 kg m(-2), respectively. The weed coverage reduction by liquid OPW was 39% and 62% with 5 and 10 L m(-2), respectively. Apart from 12-26% reduction of the number of germinating seeds, OPW showed no toxic effects on maize and sunflower. Wheat was affected in the initial stages but no adverse effect was detected at harvest. It can be concluded that the herbicidal effect of OPW may be considered as an alternative to chemical weed control in some important summer crops (maize and sunflower) and for most of the weeds in winter wheat.