Generation of Wood-waste Vinegar and Its Effectiveness as a Plant Growth Regulator and Pest Insect Repellent

Abstract

Wood vinegar (WV) was obtained from charcoal production byproducts. The increase in demand for WV as an alternative pesticide requires more production of WV independent of conventional charcoal production. This research was intended to commence the production of WV from available furniture wood waste. The study included the following: (i) the preparation and performance of a pyrolysis kiln; and (ii) the application of the produced WV as a plant growth regulator of papaya plants in the nursery and as a pest insect repellent during maize storage. These experiments were arranged in a randomized block design. The observed variables included pyrolysis rate, the effect of WV on papaya growth in nursery, and the effect of WV in controlling infestation of maize weevils. The data were analyzed using analysis of variance and continued with Duncan’s multiple difference test. The results showed that while the production of WV continuously occurred until the 90th min, the maximum (139 mL) was reached at the 10th min. Pyrolysis of 1,000 g of chips of wood-planer’s waste yielded WV, tar, bio-oil, and char in quantities of 487.67 mL, 41.76 g, 2.93 mL, and 222 g respectively. The treatment using WV (50 mL/L) increased the diameter of papaya stems in the nursery. Mixing and fuming application of 5 mL of WV as a pest insect repellent on 200 g of maize on the storage could increase the number of the dead maize weevil and reduce the damage maize kernel.

Keywords

• Wood vinegar
• Wood waste
• Pyrolysis
• Plant growth regulator
• Fumigant