Aspirin For Your Plants? Try it!
Back to the Reference and Research on Gardeners PagePlant Immune Systems - August 7, 2002
Source URL: U. of Arizona Backyard Gardener http://cals.arizona.edu/yavapai/anr/hort/byg/index.html
Article URL: http://cals.arizona.edu/yavapai/anr/hort/byg/archive/plantimmunesystems.htmlJeff Schalau, County Director, Agent, Agriculture & Natural Resources
Arizona Cooperative Extension, Yavapai CountyAnimals have immune systems that produce antibodies and other cellular compounds that eliminate pathogens and prevent or limit disease development. Similar to animals, plants attacked by insects and/or diseases can trigger complex metabolic responses that lead to the formation of defensive compounds that fight infection or make the plant parts less attractive to insects. At the risk of going overboard with technical terms and scientific processes (which, by the way, I am sometimes accused of), I will share some research information that was recently published on plant "immune systems".
Plant scientists call this immune response within plants induced systemic resistance (ISR). ISR was first observed about 100 years ago and has now been identified in over 30 species of plants. Researchers noticed that disease attacks on plants led to a hypersensitive reaction characterized by lesions at the point of entry. The hypersensitive reaction prevented the spread of the disease within the plant. Not only is the disease organism localized, but the rest of the plant is also made resistant to attack by that disease.
When plants are attacked by an insect or disease, certain chemical compounds become more abundant within the plant. The compounds produced may cause resistant themselves or be chemical messengers that signal the plant to produce other compounds which defend the plant from that disease or make it less palatable to insects. Salicylic acid is one such compound.
Salicylic acid occurs naturally within many plants and may have evolved as a defense against insects. Salicylic acid was first isolated from willow bark in 1828. It is chemically related to aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid), which was first produced by the Bayer Company in 1859. In the 1990's, researchers noticed that plants attacked by a pathogen (disease) displayed a 180-fold increase in salicylic acid concentration. This correlated with an increase in other proteins that promoted disease resistance. Later research also showed that external applications of salicylic acid to the plant also caused increased disease resistance.
The metabolic processes that lead to disease resistance triggered by elevated levels of salicylic acid are well documented in the literature so I'll spare you the details. Suffice it to say that the more researchers examine salicylic acid's relationship to ISR, the more supporting evidence they find.
So, can we simply apply aspirin to our plants to promote insect and disease resistance? The answer is "yes and no". Plant species vary widely in their tolerance to applications of salicylic acid and aspirin at varying concentrations. Often at high concentrations, plant damage occurs. However, relatively large concentrations are needed to induce resistance because much of the salicylic acid become immobilized in the plant tissues that were initially contacted during application.
For example, in one study, barely seedlings treated with salicylic acid showed 97% protection against powdery mildew for at least 12 days. Aspirin gave 93% protection. In this experiment, a concentration of 15mM (millimoles) was used. However, little of the salicylic acid (1.4%) moved into new plant tissues after 24 hours.
Syngenta, a chemical company, has produced a salicylic acid derivative called Actigard that is kinder and gentler to plants than salicylic acid or aspirin. Actigard will induce a systemic response within four days and is registered for prevention of certain diseases on leafy vegetables, tomatoes, and tobacco.
There are several other compounds being explored and researchers are finding results similar to those of salicylic acid. Induced systemic resistance is an encouraging development in the realm of pest and disease control. In the end, these methods are safer and less harmful to non-target organisms and the environment.
The University of Arizona Cooperative Extension has publications and information on gardening and pest control. If you have other gardening questions, call the Master Gardener line in the Cottonwood office at 646-9113 or E-mail us at mgardener@verdeonline.com and be sure to include your address and phone number. Find past Backyard Gardener columns or submit column ideas at the Backyard Gardener web site: http://ag.arizona.edu/yavapai/anr/hort/byg/.Arizona Cooperative Extension
Yavapai County
840 Rodeo Dr. #C
Prescott, AZ 86305
(928) 445-6590http://cals.arizona.edu/yavapai/anr/hort/byg/archive/plantimmunesystems.html
Last Updated: August 1, 2002
Content Questions/Comments: jschalau@ag.arizona.edu
Aspirin Water for Plants???
Posted by yaadman z8b FL (My Page) on Sun, Apr 10, 05 at 23:14
Hope I am not late......but, has anyone heard about this?? Aspirins for your blooms?
MARTHA MCBURNEY, the master gardener in charge of the demonstration vegetable garden at the University of Rhode Island, had a bee in her bonnet. After reading up on the 'Systematic Acquired Resistance' (SAR) in plants, which helps boost their immune system, she became convinced that aspirin would render their immune system even stronger and keep them healthier. Although richly laughed at, last summer she tested 'aspirin water' on a variety of plan
How much, and how often?
The dosage Martha arrived at after numerous experiments was 1.5 aspirin (81 gr. strength) to two gallons of water. Important note: The tablets should be the uncoated type. She also added two tablespoons of yucca extract to help the aspirin water stick better to the leaves. (The yucca extract can be substituted with a mild liquid soap).
SPRAYING
Finally, Martha divised a schedule of spraying once every three weeks, no matter the type of plant. The summer when Martha first started testing aspirin water was not the best, weather-wise. It was cool, rainy and damp. Yet, by the end of the season, the plants growing in the raised beds on which the aspirin water had been used looked like they were on steroids! They were huge and green and insects-free. Some disease seemed even to have reversed themselves on cucumbers affected by a virus.
Our master gardener now recommends her 'aspirin water' to just about everybody. From people who grow oats to orchids. All have found that plants do remarkably better when given small amounts of aspirin water. It does really well on potted plants too. Specimen are more vigorous and are having fewer problems with aphids and the typical things that can build up on house plants in general.
ASPIRIN IMPROVES SEED GERMINATION
Martha also sprayed the aspirin water on the seeds directly sowed in the ground. The result was close to 100 per cent seed germination, compared to spotty germination in the other trial beds.
Martha's experience caused scientists at the University of Arizona (along with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)), to start studying how salicylic acid (main component in aspirin) induces plants into releasing their natural defences against harmful fungi, bacteria and viruses. According to an article by Dean Fosdick of the Associated Press, "They envision it as a commercially viable alternative to synthetic pesticides in a natural way to extend the life of susceptible yet popular crops."
One question, though: Is this an organic method? Well, not really. Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) is 'derived' from the white willow tree, Salix alba. Studies are now being conducted on plants using pure willow extracts to compare the effects to aspirin.
CUT FLOWERS THAT LAST FOREVER?
Adding an aspirin to a vase of fresh-cut flowers to keep them longer in better shape is often dismissed as an old wives' tale. But current researches have come up with an explanation in favour of using a tablet. Here is why: the wound of a cut flower stimulates the production of a substance that helps the stem fight off potential disease at the injured spot ... but, alas, greatly hastens the wilting process. Aspirin halts the formation of said substance. This, in turn, keeps the flowers looking young and prevents premature wilting...
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Aspirin Water for Plants???
This is interesting. Wonder what effect this would have on rooting cuttings, as willow water is supposed to be very conducive to helping cuttings root. Has this aspirin water been tried on roses? Maybe I will take 2 minis, pot them up the same and give one aspirin water, the other none and see.......
Judith
The only time I have heard of aspirin use with cut flowers or roses is when they are in the vase. The aspirin in the water inhibits the growth of bacteria that causes the flowers or roses to droop or fail sooner. If you have ever dumped out a bouquet, you may have noticed the putrid smell of the water in the vase. This is caused by the bacteria. You can help your cut flowers or vased roses last longer, if after a few days, you remove them from the vase, rinse it well, and refill with warm to hot water and the aspirin, and cut the bottoms of the stems off and revase. They could last another week that way. Not only will aspirin inhibit the bacterial growth, but you can use a capful of Sprite or Seven Up. The citric acid they contain will also inhibit the bacteria. Florists use a product called Floral Life/Floralife which will do the same thing. Sometimes florists will give you a couple packets, if you ask for them.
For cut flowers, 1/4 cup sugar and 1 tsp of bleach is what I've read and have been doing. I use warm water and let the flowers soak in it overnight in the dark before putting in vases and arranging. Maybe I will try adding an aspirin. If anyone tries using it on live roses, hopefully they'll report any good results.
- Posted by: Henry_Kuska z5 OH (kuska@neo.rr.com) on Mon, Apr 11, 05 at 14:45
another link for aspirin and plants Here is a link that might be useful: link for above
When Henry posted this on another forum I decided to try asprin spray on one of two like roses that I have and leave the other unsprayed and see what happens. I will use minis as they blackspot faster and will be less damage if it does blackspot. Patrick
Thanks for the link Henry, it was very informative. I think I am going to try an experiment similar to what Patrick outlined, but with regular rose bushes.
- Posted by: Phil_Schorr z6St.Louis (My Page) on Mon, Apr 11, 05 at 22:31
The president of our local club tried the aspirin treatment on some of her roses last year. She could see very clear improvement for some of them and not so much for others. Still, she felt it was worth the effort and will be using it on all of them this year. She did make one important point. She said the aspirin has to be very well ground up before putting in the spray water for it to work properly. You can't just drop an aspirin tablet in the water. She recommends using something like a mortar and pestle to grind the tablet into fine powder before use (actually I think she used the end of a wooden spoon in a shot glass or something like that). It seemed to work better that way for her.
- Posted by: Patricia43 z8 AL (My Page) on Mon, Apr 11, 05 at 23:33
ASA is acid, wonder if the results are the same as the miracle acid investigation.
A pill crusher would work great for this. One part cuts the pill in half [I think it said use 1.5 tabs] and the bottom part, you just screw down and it crushes the pills. Very easy!
Judith - I pre-treated some trade cuttings with aspirin solution before mailing them last spring at the request of the recipient, who was following the advice of Pat Henry of Roses Unlimited. So that's at least one person who thinks it's worthwhile. I've never tied it myself because I don't need a substitute for rooting hormone and that's what I was told it was for.
- Posted by: Patricia43 z8 AL (My Page) on Tue, Apr 12, 05 at 1:10
Aspirin is not an antibacterial; it is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. So perhaps cuts or viruses, fungi cause an inflammation in the plant that aspirin inhibits. I am not sure what effect aspirin would have on your worms in the soil. It is anticoagulant and can cause GI bleeding. Just a miniscule particle can cause a cat a fatal intestinal bleed but IMHO aspirin is a miracle drug.
Another link on the subject: http://www.pennlive.com/columns/patriotnews/weigel/index.ssf?/base/living/1110709351232820.xml
This page has useful info about other stuff too.
You mentioning the Yucca extract addition raises a question. I have heard that Yucca contains a growth hormone or similar chemical. Could this be a factor.
- Posted by: Patricia43 z8 AL (My Page) on Tue, Apr 12, 05 at 22:44
Now that we are into remedies, do you think the alloy plant could heal the burns I got from winter freeze.