Integrating Cultural and Mechanical Methods for Additive Weed Control in Organic Systems

The problem in determining the economic feasibility of mechanical, chemical, and combination weed control methods in corn (Zea mays L.) is a complex decision involving many factors. The effects of cost, yield, timeliness, and alternative uses of labor are the factors considered in comparing various methods of weed control in this study. Costs of weed control operations range from $2.84/A for two cultivations to $10.45/A for the most intensive, mechanical-chemical operation studied. Most common weed control methods have costs of approximately $3 to $4/A. Yields range from 83 bu/A for two cultivations to 96 bu/A with the highest cost chemical-mechanical weed control methods. All yields used in this study are supported by agronomic studies and are indexed on the basis of 100 bu/A for weed-free conditions. The consideration of both yields and costs does affect the selection of a weed control method. Considering only these two factors, mechanical methods have a slight advantage over chemical weed control methods. Penalizing mechanical methods because of delay or timeliness characteristics gives chemical methods an advantage by as much as $3.00/A. Alternative uses of labor, even though a common argument in selecting chemical or mechanical methods, is a very small item and has only moderate effects on the changes in net income.

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Cultural and Mechanical Manipulation ofCyperusSpp.

Weed Technology ◽

10.1017/s0890037x00029183 ◽

1987 ◽

Vol 1 (1) ◽

pp. 82-83 ◽

Cited By ~ 26

Author(s):

Norman C. Glaze

Keyword(s):

Weed Control ◽

Control Program ◽

Control Methods ◽

Cyperus Esculentus ◽

Purple Nutsedge ◽

Program Selection ◽

Mechanical Methods ◽

Mechanical Manipulation ◽

Growing Conditions ◽

Selection Of

Cultural and mechanical methods are viable options for inclusion in any weed control program. Selection of weed control methods is determined by crop, cost, desired yield, weather, and labor availability. Yellow and purple nutsedge (Cyperus esculentusL. # CYPES and C.rotundusL. # CYPRO) have proliferated as production inputs have intensified. Nutsedge densities have increased largely due to reduced competition as better annual weed control and improved growing conditions have resulted.

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MANAGEMENT OF RED RICE (ORYZA SATIVA) AND BARNYARDGRASS (ECHINOCHLOA CRUS-GALLI) GROWN WITH SORGHUM WITH REDUCED RATE OF ATRAZINE AND MECHANICAL METHODS

Experimental Agriculture ◽

10.1017/s0014479712000671 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 48 (4) ◽

pp. 587-596 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

ANDRÉ ANDRES ◽

GERMANI CONCENÇO ◽

GIOVANI THEISEN ◽

LEANDRO GALON ◽

FRANCO TESIO

Keyword(s):

Oryza Sativa ◽

Weed Control ◽

Control Method ◽

Application Rate ◽

Soil Tillage ◽

Weedy Rice ◽

Red Rice ◽

Weed Species ◽

Mechanical Methods ◽

Tillage System

SUMMARYThe weedy variety ofOryza sativaoccurs in several rice cultivation areas reducing both grain yield and quality. Prevention and crop rotation are considered the basic means to reduce its presence. Weed control in sorghum is generally attained with atrazine. In this study, the efficacy of both chemical and mechanical methods for control, under different soil tillage conditions, of weedy rice and barnyardgrass during sorghum cultivation was evaluated with the aim to reduce the application rate of atrazine. In the case of chemical control, the atrazine rate (1000, 1500, 2000, 2500 and 3000 ga.i.ha−1) and application timing (pre- and post-emergence) were assessed. With the mechanical control method, the number of interventions (inter-row hoeing with sorghum at 3, 4–5 and 6–8 leaves) to avoid weed competition was determined. The effect of the tillage system on weed population was investigated comparing conventional (ploughing), minimum-tillage (disc harrowing) and sod seeding (no-tillage) in combination with pre- and post-emergence herbicide treatments. The results showed that efficient control of weedy rice and barnyardgrass was achieved in lowlands with sorghum in rotation with rice. Both chemical and mechanical methods of weed control in sorghum gave a level of efficiency higher than 60%. The application of atrazine was more efficient in pre-emergence application, rather than in post-emergence treatments, in all soil tillage systems tested. On both weed species, the most suitable application rate was the pre-emergence treatment with 1500 ga.i.ha−1, and the adoption of higher rates did not significantly increase the herbicidal efficacy. The adoption of two or three mechanical interventions resulted in sorghum yield higher than the chemical post-emergence application, and similar to the application of atrazine in pre-emergence. Higher yield results were in accordance to greater weed control, being obtained in the conventional tillage system.

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Yield, Growth, and Weed Control in Four Strawberry Production Systems

HortScience ◽

10.21273/hortsci.30.4.844c ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 30 (4) ◽

pp. 844C-844

Author(s):

Angela K. Tedesco ◽

Gail R. Nonnecke ◽

Nick E. Christians ◽

John J. Obrycki ◽

Mark L. Gleason

Keyword(s):

Weed Control ◽

Management Practices ◽

Production Systems ◽

Total Yield ◽

Marketable Yield ◽

Organic Systems ◽

Integrated Crop Management ◽

Corn Gluten ◽

Field Plots ◽

Polyethylene Mulch

Field plots of four production systems of `Tristar' dayneutral and `Earliglow' June-bearing strawberry (Fragaria ×ananassa Duch.), established in 1993, included conventional practices (CONV), integrated crop management practices (ICM), organic practices using granulated corn gluten meal, a natural weed control product, (ORG-CGM), and organic practices using a natural turkey manure product (ORG-TM). `Earliglow' total yield from CONV plots in 1994 was similar to ICM and ORG-CGM, but greater than ORG-TM. Average berry weight and marketable yield were greater in the CONV system than both organic systems. CONV, ICM, and ORG-CGM plots had more runners and daughter plants than ORG-TM. Plots with CONV herbicide treatments were similar to ICM and ORG-CGM for percentage weed cover 1 month after renovation. `Tristar' crown number, crown and root dry weights, yield, and berry number were reduced when plants were grown under straw mulch in ORG-CGM and ORG-TM compared to CONV and ICM plots with polyethylene mulch.

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Three mechanical weed control techniques in spring cereals

Agricultural and Food Science ◽

10.23986/afsci.5668 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 9 (4) ◽

pp. 269-278 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

T. LÖTJÖNEN ◽

H. J. MIKKOLA

Keyword(s):

Weed Control ◽

Field Experiments ◽

Yield Loss ◽

Row Spacing ◽

Silty Clay ◽

Control Techniques ◽

Mechanical Methods ◽

Spring Cereals ◽

Silty Clay Soil ◽

Mechanical Weed Control

An inter-row hoe suitable for cereals was developed for the study, and field experiments were conducted to compare inter-row hoeing with weed harrowing, rotary hoeing and chemical control. The treatments were performed once during the growing season. Inter-row hoeing was studied at row spacings of 180 mm and 250 mm. The weeding effect of the different methods was measured by weighing the weeds remaining just before harvesting. Inter-row hoeing was the most effective of the mechanical methods. Weed harrowing was as good as hoeing in silty clay soil but less effective in mull soil. Rotary hoeing was the least effective. Herbicide spraying was more effective than the mechanical methods in both soils. Increasing the spacing between rows from the standard 125 mm to 250 mm decreased the yield of barley by 12-13%. Inter-row hoeing affected the yield very slightly. The yield decreasing was lower at a row spacing of 180 mm than at 250 mm. Weed harrowing and rotary hoeing decreased the yield 5-10%. Although inter-row hoeing seems to be a fairly effective method for weed control, it may be difficult to compensate for the yield loss due to the increase in row spacing.;

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Oilseed and protein crops grown in French organic farms: an overview of cultivation practices for sunflower and soybean

OCL ◽

10.1051/ocl/2021043 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 29 ◽

pp. 4

Author(s):

Cécile Le Gall ◽

Vincent Lecomte ◽

Dominique Wagner

Keyword(s):

Weed Control ◽

Crop Rotation ◽

Cultural Practices ◽

Sowing Date ◽

Organic Production ◽

Organic Farms ◽

Organic Systems ◽

Organic Farmers ◽

Hand Weeding ◽

Conventional Systems

The development of organic agriculture in France was steady since 2010 but became stronger since 2014. Like other crops, the cultivated areas of organic soybean and sunflower doubled from 2014 to 2018. With a view to better characterize cultural practices in organic production, Terres Inovia and ITAB (in collaboration with Agence Bio) conducted in 2016 and 2017 a national farmers’ survey. These surveys reveal that sunflower was mainly cultivated over the same types of soil than in conventional production but were integrated in more diversified rotations. The main differences between organic and conventional systems concern sowing date and weed control. Organic sunflower was sown very lately compared to conventional one, which impacted the yield severely. Weed were controlled through ploughing, mechanical weeding and crop rotation and weed control was judged as satisfying by a major part of producers. Concerning soybean, a great difference is the use of irrigation which is almost systematic in conventional but concerned only 50% of cultivated area in organic production. Contrary to sunflower, soybean is integrated in short crop rotation, particularly when it was irrigated. This demonstrated the high profitability of soybean in organic systems. Like for sunflower, weed control done through ploughing, mechanical weeding, and crop rotation and weed control was also judged satisfying; nevertheless, criteria on harvest impurities are more severe and to respect them, organic farmers also use hand weeding in complement. These surveys will be reconducted over the years to be able to follow the changes of cultural practices over the years.

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Machine thinning of sugar beet: field trials with chemical and mechanical weed control

The Journal of Agricultural Science ◽

10.1017/s0021859600062584 ◽

1966 ◽

Vol 66 (2) ◽

pp. 189-195 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

L. F. Hanbury ◽

G. L. Maughan

Keyword(s):

Sugar Beet ◽

Weed Control ◽

Large Scale ◽

Field Trials ◽

Control Measures ◽

Potential Yield ◽

Mechanical Methods ◽

Large Scale Field ◽

Commercial Yield ◽

Mechanical Weed Control

Large-scale field trials in sugar beet were undertaken between 1961 and 1963 to examine the effects of chemical or mechanical weed control followed by machine thinning in terms of labour economy and yield of the crop. The seedling populations were left untrimmed by hand and, where the weed-control measures were completely effective or nearly so, the crops were left unweeded. Yield samples were taken both by hand and by machine so that the potential yield as well as the likely commercial yield might be determined. The chemical and mechanical methods that were studied saved about 75% of the normal labour demand and gave root yields 91.5% of those following hand work.

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Weed management in onion: A review

Agricultural Reviews ◽

10.18805/ag.v0iof.7311 ◽

2017 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

M. Dhananivetha ◽

M. Mohammed Amnullah ◽

P. Murali Arthanari ◽

S. Mariappan

Keyword(s):

Weed Control ◽

Weed Management ◽

Growth Period ◽

Threshold Level ◽

Weed Competition ◽

Important Species ◽

Bulb Formation ◽

Mechanical Methods ◽

Hand Weeding ◽

The Cost

The bulbous vegetable onion Allium cepa Var. aggregatum L. (2n=16) is the most important species of Allium group and is regarded as the single most important vegetable spices as it forms an indispensable part of many diets, both vegetarian and non-vegetarian. Onion is valued for its bulbs having characteristic odour, flavor and pungency. Onion is regarded as a highly export oriented crop and earns a valuable foreign exchange for the country. Weeds are of great menace as they interfere with production of crop and add to the cost of cultivation. The reduction in crop yield has direct correlation with weed competition. Onion exhibits greater susceptibility to weed competition as compared to other crops due to its inherent characteristics such as their slow growth, small stature, shallow roots and lack of dense foliage. The effective weed control involves identification of weed flora, method of weed control and judicious combination of effective weed control methods. Hand weeding in onion is a common practice in India, but it is a tedious, expensive and time consuming task due to closer spacing and shallow root system. Non-availability of labourers during critical period of crop makes hand weeding difficult leading to heavy yield losses. Spraying of pre-emergence herbicides keeps the crop in weed free conditions during the early stages. At later stage, second flush of weeds will affect the bulb formation. Hand weeding helps to keep the weed population below economic threshold level throughout the crop growth period. Pre-emergence combined with hand weeding may be costly because of the reduced labour availability and higher labour cost. After bulb formation manual or mechanical methods of weed control will damage the bulb. Application of early post emergence may be helpful to reduce damage to the bulb, weed competition and cost of weeding. Hence a brief review was presented to find out the effect of different weed management method in onion.

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Propelled abrasive grit applications for weed management in transitional corn grain production

Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems ◽

10.1017/s174217051700031x ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 34 (1) ◽

pp. 33-40 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Mauricio Erazo-Barradas ◽

Claire N. Friedrichsen ◽

Frank Forcella ◽

Dan Humburg ◽

Sharon A. Clay

Keyword(s):

Weed Control ◽

Weed Management ◽

Developmental Stages ◽

Production Systems ◽

Growth Stages ◽

Corn Yield ◽

Weed Biomass ◽

Organic Systems ◽

Weed Growth ◽

Flame Weeding

AbstractWeed control is challenging to farmers who are transitioning from production systems that use synthetic herbicides to organic systems. A 2-year field study examined air-propelled corncob grit abrasion for in-row weed control efficacy and effect on corn yield. Grit was applied based on corn vegetative developmental stages with one (V1, V3 or V5), two (V1 + V3, V1 + V5, or V3 + V5), or three (V1 + V3 + V5) applications. Flame-weeding or cultivation was used after the V5 application for between-row weed control. Grit applications decreased in-row weed densities by about 60% (α = 0.05) and biomass up to 95% (α = 0.001). Between-row treatments provided similar control, and reduced weed biomass by 55% in 2013 (α = 0.01) and 86% (α = 0.001) in 2014. In-row grit treatments increased corn yield up to 44%, and yield was more influenced by in-row weeds than between row weeds. These results indicate that abrasive corncob grit for in-row weed control, supplemented with cultivation or flaming, can reduce weed biomass substantially and help maintain corn yield. However, timing and frequency of grit application need further refinement based on weed growth as influenced by climate, as treatments at similar corn growth stages did not consistently provide adequate weed control between years.

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