Why should we apply baking soda to plants? There’s a very specific reason why we should always do it. Baking soda is a versatile product that can be found in every home. It has a variety of functions, including cleaning various surfaces and effectively softening dried legumes. In addition, as a digestive aid, it provides relief after eating a particularly heavy meal. Many people are not aware that baking soda can be a valuable tool for the ecological protection of vegetable gardens, orchards and plants. Its effectiveness is particularly evident in its ability to combat powdery mildew, a common pathogen that affects a wide variety of plants, including vines, zucchini, and sage. In agriculture, there are two different forms of baking soda: baking soda and potassium baking soda. Although these compounds are similar in nature, they serve specific purposes, especially in the fight against fungal diseases. Their properties make them an optimal choice for organic farming, as they provide an effective fungicide treatment. Finding baking soda is an easy task and also a cost-effective option. In addition, it is an ideal choice for both home gardens and regular gardens. Now, let’s explore the distinctive characteristics of baking soda and compare it to potassium baking soda. In addition, we will discuss the appropriate situations for application and the correct methods to carry out the treatments.
Potassium bicarbonate and baking soda
When it comes to baking soda, it’s important to distinguish between baking soda and potassium baking soda. Although these two compounds share similarities, they differ in both their molecular structure and the official classification for agricultural application. Baking soda, chemically known as the sodium salt of carbonic acid, comes as a fine, white, odorless powder that can be dissolved in water at room temperature. It is obtained from the combination of sodium carbonate, water and carbon dioxide. In agriculture, baking soda is classified as “corrosive” and is considered an amplifier of plants’ natural defense mechanisms.
This classification is established in Annex 2 of the new Ministerial Decree 6793 of 18/07/2018, which integrates the existing European legislation on the organic sector in Italy. Potassium bicarbonate is a derivative of carbonic acid, which is extracted especially from potassium carbonate. Unlike baking soda, it is primarily considered a pesticide rather than a tonic. As a result, it falls within the scope of existing pesticide legislation. Fortunately, effectiveness is limited to a single day, so treatment can be performed before the fruit ripens. It is important to note that the term “mature” refers to the set time interval, which is measured in days between final treatment and harvest. If professional farmers have the required “license,” a document issued at the end of special training, they can use pesticides. By contrast, hobby farmers do not currently require such a permit and have access to product formats other than those intended for professional use. However, since the entry into force of the NAP (National Action Plan) in 2015, which de facto regulated and restricted the entire plant protection products industry, including conventional agriculture, the range of products that individuals can buy has decreased significantly. This has restricted the reckless handling of substances that are harmful to health, the environment, and health. In this way, people are encouraged to opt for more environmentally friendly alternatives when it comes to caring for their vegetable gardens, orchards and lawns.
Why put baking soda on plants?
There are two variants of baking soda, which serve to protect plants from certain fungal or cryptogamic diseases. By increasing the pH of the liquid solution, the presence of bicarbonate creates unfavorable conditions for the growth and spread of harmful fungal mycelia.
This, in turn, leads to their drying out and subsequent prevention of further reproduction.
How treatments should be performed
In order for treatments with the two variants of baking soda to provide the desired results, it is important that the procedure is performed quickly as soon as the first signs of the disorder appear. The action is essentially preventative and serves to inhibit further progression, but it does not possess the ability to restore plants that have already suffered significant damage. The use of baking soda is subject to the desired concentration, which ranges from 500 g to a maximum of 1500 g per hectolitre of water. These recommended amounts are applied to large areas with distribution machines, but the same proportion applies to smaller crops. For example, if you are preparing a solution in a 1-liter spray bottle, it is recommended to add 5 to 15 g of baking soda. On the contrary, the ideal amount for a 15-liter backpack pump is about 75-225 grams. When using plant protection products of any kind, whether environmentally friendly or not, it is essential to stick to the recommended dosage. Even seemingly harmless substances, such as baking soda, can cause burns if used excessively and lead to an increase in pH if they accumulate in the soil for a long time. Similar problems arise with the overuse of potassium bicarbonate. When it comes to potassium bicarbonate, the product’s commercial label includes recommended dosages for different types (although there may be variations) and the necessary precautions for its use. To ensure the effectiveness of the treatments, it is important to perform them during the coolest hours of the day. It is especially important to avoid treating plants at an ambient temperature of more than 35°C, as this can lead to a harmful effect on plants known as phytotoxicity. This restriction presents a challenge to controlling powdery mildew in cucurbits in the summer, as even sulfur treatments may not be sufficient at extremely high temperatures. In such cases, it is necessary to wait patiently for the coldest days and in the meantime remove the most affected leaves.
