Has anyone used the liquid smoke not for seed germination but in the soil?

I haven't heard of using liquid smoke for germination. So I don't know why it is being considered for soil application. What would the theoretical or expected benefit be?

Pat

Pat, Google it. Lots of info. Interesting. Example:

https://www.weforum.org/agenda...

That's weirdly fascinating. I wonder if the plants growing back in burn areas are healthier because of their close brush with death and the smoke in the soil. Next question... What is wood smoke made of?

https://dec.alaska.gov/air/anp....

And

https://dec.alaska.gov/air/anp....

Hmmm.... I'm not sure i'll be putting liquid smoke on my vegetable garden. But all those oxides are probably what's good for the plants.

One article I read explained that liquid smoke is produced by forcing smoke through water, like a bong.

@timapexcom Sorry no one has answered your question yet. Obviously some of us are just learning about this, although the science goes back several years. Still, I don't think it's mainstream practice, so more answers might take awhile.

Meanwhile, thanks for an interesting question!

Don't confuse the lab made liquid smoke that the scientists used in the experiments noted above with the commercial food product "liquid smoke". The commercial product is full of additives and only a little smoke. Here's the ingredient list from one of the more popular brands:

Water, Natural Flavor, Tamari Soy Sauce (Water, Soybeans, Salt, Sugar), Distilled Vinegar, Sugar, Salt, Caramel Color, Garlic & Onion.

As you can see it contains a lot of stuff that isn't smoke and that you might not want on your plants.

Yeah, didn't think those Aggie scientists were raiding Albertson's condiments section.

This is definitely a new concept for me! Hopefully someone here will have more information .

I wonder if any beneficial smoke components are in the wood ash and charcoal that I throw in my garden?

Really surprised with all the "I never knew" comments. I guess it's because I've always been fascinated with seed biology since the beginning; I've known about smoke speculations regarding seed germination for 45 years. Do-it-yourself "specialists" have been experimenting with all kinds of scenarios:
-- bought liquid smoke
-- fashioning tiny chambers to expose seed to smoke
-- different kinds of smoke
-- burning tiny bonfires of quick burning dried grass, straw, etc. right on seeded pots and watering in afterwards.

Once, I was really going to try it with Viola beckwithii seed, but never got to it. If you search the more specialist plant sites like the PBS or SRGC forum achieves, I am sure you find hits.

I wouldn't use liquid smoke. After wood and grasses have burned phosphorus and potassium are left behind. Especially the potassium. Here in Florida a grass fire clears the area up to the base of Sabal palms and the dead leaves of palmetto. A good rain brings out new growth especially palms that have serotinous cones, seeds that need fire to break dormancy, and fronds on palmetto which has a large root system. Rain dissolves the minerals in the ash and washes them into the soil. It's beautiful to see the bright green growth against the blackened earth. So it's not the smoke. Take some wood ashes from the fireplace or grill and put them in water. Wait several weeks and use the potassium rich water. Do what you will with the sunken ash.

I wonder what the soybean and sunflower crops in Canada will be like this Summer after the wildfires last year.
I knew Matilija Poppies and some Restios needed smoke for seed germination, but growing plants is a new one for me. You'd think all the cooking fires in developing countries would have an effect similar to the experiments if it were going to work.

http://proteaseeds.com/protea/...