Uploaded February 2023 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
The Many Uses of Hydrogen Peroxide in the Garden
Professor DeBacco
What is Hydrogen Peroxide?
Simple molecule H2O2
Advantages of H2O2
Can kill both fungi and bacteria and algae
Copper also fits into this category but has many other issues
Ex. Interactions, phytotoxicity, residual, environmental contaminate
No residue left behind
Disadvantages of H2O2
Short residual time
Can require frequent applications
Contact kill only
Note: Not Sponsored by Any Company
All products were purchased at retail cost
No sponsorship of any products mentioned here
It is recommended that you purchase the product for your intended purpose and follow the printed label.
Agriculture Focused Hydrogen Peroxide Products
Biosafesystems product line
ZeroTol
Oxidate
Sanidate
Terraclean
Four Uses
Improved Seed Germination
Tool Sterilizer
Foliar Application
Soil Treatment
1. Improved Seed Germination
Research Article
Sorokin, A., Yadav, N. S., Gaudet, D., & Kovalchuk, I. (2021). Development and Standardization of Rapid and Efficient Seed Germination Protocol for Cannabis sativa. Bio-protocol, 11(1), e3875.
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7952943
Research Findings
Seed sterilization, germination, and seedlings development were carried out in an H2O2 solution of different concentrations
1% H2O2 solution showed the fastest and the most efficient germination.
High germination efficiency for very old cannabis seeds with lower viability was shown
2. Tool Sterilizer
Frequently cleaning tools can help prevent the grower being a vector for disease spread from one plant to another.
Tool Sterilizer Solution Make Fresh Daily
Once diluted the solution should be used for the day (or less).
If exposed to direct sunlight this will speed up the degradation process as well.
It will always look like clear water so be sure to put it in a special and labeled container.
At the end of the day a final submersion in the solution followed by a rise can help reduce the chance of corrosion of the equipment.
3. Foliar Application
This is one of the few bactericides that exist in general.
It also works on fungus as well
Foliar Application: Leaf and Soil Based Pathogens Controlled…
ZeroTol 2.0
Algae
Alternaria
Anthracnose
Aphanomyces
Bacterial spots and rots
Botrytis (grey mold)
Downy mildew
Erwinia
Foliar Application with No Residue
This reduces the chance of burring the plant
Be sure to follow the recommended concentration as with high concentrations there can be peroxide burn of the plant material.
Essentially, the products breaks down to water and oxygen gas.
Foliar Application Complete Coverage is Key
With this (and any other contact only product) good plant coverage is very important as this has a direct impact on the effectiveness of the product.
4. Soil Treatment
This is where hydrogen peroxide is showing greater interest and some initial results are the reason for its continued use.
Some areas have strict regulations on products for controlling soil based diseases.
This is for good reason as these can have long residuals and negatively impact non-target environments.
Soil Treatment
Hydrogen peroxide can control a wide range of soil based diseases with low residual so it will not have long term negative impacts on the environment.
It is much easier and cost effective compared to steam sterilization.
While this may be better it is not easy to do and is costly in both labor and equipment.
Soil Treatment Site Preparations
Clear crop residue
Some can be on the surface and/or partially incorporated into the soil, but a lot of plant residue will reduce soil penetration
The soil surface should be quick/rough tilled to allow for greater percolation into the soil profile.
Soil should have some moisture
Post Soil Treatment
Adding back in beneficial microbes
Manufacture says these can be added only 2-hours after the peroxide application.
This is when the foaming you may see on the soil surface during application has gone away.
Soil Treatment Micro Replenish TerraGrow
Following manufacture recommendations, TerraGrow was added to the same area that was treated with the TerraClean product 48-hours prior.
So, be sure to get the entire growing area when performing this treatment.
While it will not be 100% effective the delayed onset and mitigation of most pressure sure makes it more effective than many of the harsher chemical options that exist.
Cover crops are still an important component
For many soil based diseases you want reduce the chance of overwatering and excessive nitrogen fertilizers.
Link to Lecture Slides: drive.google.com/file/d/1AmVG6JHNzen6QqvS4RJkBuiYXq_ELBAQ/view?usp=share_link
*Due to the description character limit the full work cited for "The Many Uses of Hydrogen Peroxide in the Garden" can be viewed at... docs.google.com/document/d/1Ok6TYaGcwmiFpXwbZPg7PvD9ydidvm92/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=104237452697237972847&rtpof=true&sd=true
The Many Uses of Hydrogen Peroxide in the Garden
Professor DeBacco
What is Hydrogen Peroxide?
Simple molecule H2O2
Advantages of H2O2
Can kill both fungi and bacteria and algae
Copper also fits into this category but has many other issues
Ex. Interactions, phytotoxicity, residual, environmental contaminate
No residue left behind
Disadvantages of H2O2
Short residual time
Can require frequent applications
Contact kill only
Note: Not Sponsored by Any Company
All products were purchased at retail cost
No sponsorship of any products mentioned here
It is recommended that you purchase the product for your intended purpose and follow the printed label.
Agriculture Focused Hydrogen Peroxide Products
Biosafesystems product line
ZeroTol
Oxidate
Sanidate
Terraclean
Four Uses
Improved Seed Germination
Tool Sterilizer
Foliar Application
Soil Treatment
1. Improved Seed Germination
Research Article
Sorokin, A., Yadav, N. S., Gaudet, D., & Kovalchuk, I. (2021). Development and Standardization of Rapid and Efficient Seed Germination Protocol for Cannabis sativa. Bio-protocol, 11(1), e3875.
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7952943
Research Findings
Seed sterilization, germination, and seedlings development were carried out in an H2O2 solution of different concentrations
1% H2O2 solution showed the fastest and the most efficient germination.
High germination efficiency for very old cannabis seeds with lower viability was shown
2. Tool Sterilizer
Frequently cleaning tools can help prevent the grower being a vector for disease spread from one plant to another.
Tool Sterilizer Solution Make Fresh Daily
Once diluted the solution should be used for the day (or less).
If exposed to direct sunlight this will speed up the degradation process as well.
It will always look like clear water so be sure to put it in a special and labeled container.
At the end of the day a final submersion in the solution followed by a rise can help reduce the chance of corrosion of the equipment.
3. Foliar Application
This is one of the few bactericides that exist in general.
It also works on fungus as well
Foliar Application: Leaf and Soil Based Pathogens Controlled…
ZeroTol 2.0
Algae
Alternaria
Anthracnose
Aphanomyces
Bacterial spots and rots
Botrytis (grey mold)
Downy mildew
Erwinia
Foliar Application with No Residue
This reduces the chance of burring the plant
Be sure to follow the recommended concentration as with high concentrations there can be peroxide burn of the plant material.
Essentially, the products breaks down to water and oxygen gas.
Foliar Application Complete Coverage is Key
With this (and any other contact only product) good plant coverage is very important as this has a direct impact on the effectiveness of the product.
4. Soil Treatment
This is where hydrogen peroxide is showing greater interest and some initial results are the reason for its continued use.
Some areas have strict regulations on products for controlling soil based diseases.
This is for good reason as these can have long residuals and negatively impact non-target environments.
Soil Treatment
Hydrogen peroxide can control a wide range of soil based diseases with low residual so it will not have long term negative impacts on the environment.
It is much easier and cost effective compared to steam sterilization.
While this may be better it is not easy to do and is costly in both labor and equipment.
Soil Treatment Site Preparations
Clear crop residue
Some can be on the surface and/or partially incorporated into the soil, but a lot of plant residue will reduce soil penetration
The soil surface should be quick/rough tilled to allow for greater percolation into the soil profile.
Soil should have some moisture
Post Soil Treatment
Adding back in beneficial microbes
Manufacture says these can be added only 2-hours after the peroxide application.
This is when the foaming you may see on the soil surface during application has gone away.
Soil Treatment Micro Replenish TerraGrow
Following manufacture recommendations, TerraGrow was added to the same area that was treated with the TerraClean product 48-hours prior.
So, be sure to get the entire growing area when performing this treatment.
While it will not be 100% effective the delayed onset and mitigation of most pressure sure makes it more effective than many of the harsher chemical options that exist.
Cover crops are still an important component
For many soil based diseases you want reduce the chance of overwatering and excessive nitrogen fertilizers.
Link to Lecture Slides: drive.google.com/file/d/1AmVG6JHNzen6QqvS4RJkBuiYXq_ELBAQ/view?usp=share_link
*Due to the description character limit the full work cited for "The Many Uses of Hydrogen Peroxide in the Garden" can be viewed at... docs.google.com/document/d/1Ok6TYaGcwmiFpXwbZPg7PvD9ydidvm92/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=104237452697237972847&rtpof=true&sd=true
