scholarly journals Determining the utility of an unmanned ground vehicle for weed control in specialty crop systems

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew A. Cutulle ◽  
Joe Mari Maja
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Weed Control ◽  
Crop Damage ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Vegetable Crops ◽  
Specialty Crops ◽  
Ground Vehicle ◽  
Specialty Crop ◽  
Control Research ◽  
The Impact

Specialty crop herbicides are not a target for herbicide discovery programs and many of these crops do not have access to relevant herbicides. High‐value fruit and vegetable crops represent  high potential liability in the case of herbicide‐induced crop damage and low acres for revenue. Labor shortages and higher manual weeding costs are an issue for both conventional and organic specialty crop growers. Robotic weeders are promising new weed control tools for specialty crops, because they are cheaper to develop and, with fewer environmental and human health risks, are less regulated than herbicides. However, many of the robotic weeders are too expensive for small growers to use. In the future greater investment into robotic weeders for small scale growers will be important.  The Clearpath robotics platform Husky may provide a cheap and autonomous way to control weeds in small diversified specialty crop farms. Being able to work autonomously in multiple soil moisture environments is the driving factor behind optimizing the Husky platform for weed control. Research has been conducted to evaluate the impact of soil moisture and mechanical actuator on mobility and weed control. Though weed control was not commercially acceptable in these studies, future optimizations to the Husky robotics platform have the potential to achieve commercial success.

scholarly journals The Most Frequent Agronomic Practices Used by the Coconut Farmers in the “Coconut Triangle” of Sri Lanka

CORD ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 7
Author(s):  
Lalith Perera
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Information Sources ◽  
Cultural Practices ◽  
Training Programs ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Agronomic Practices ◽  
Frequent Event ◽  
The Impact

The study was carried out to identify the most frequently practiced cultural practices by coconut growers in the main coconut growing area termed as “Coconut Triangle”, among a set of technical practices recommended by the Coconut Research Institute of Sri Lanka (CRISL). The objective was also to analyse the impact of these practices to the yield and to analyse the effects of the information sources to the growers to enhance the farmers skills. The study was carried out between June 2018 and August 2018. For the data collection, a questionnaire developed by CRISL was used and 62 growers were randomly selected. All the answers were gathered in a table file. Then, the data were analysed using tabular analysis and the software SPSS. The study reveals that most of the growers are having intercrops between the coconut trees, in large or very small scale even if the yield is lowand needs more space. For the soil moisture conservation around the coconut palm, the majority of the growers use the simple and low-cost technique; mulching around the coconut palms. However, 30.1% of the growers were found to not use any technique to improve the soil moisture even when the drought is a frequent event in the country, but this more valid for small scale growers. To improve their yield, majority of the growers preferred and used CRISL recommended coconut fertilizer mixture (Adult Palm Mixture or APM) over the other commercially available fertilizer mixtures. Finally, the study shows that farmers with large estates are the most involved to follow training programs and apply the advices given by the CRISL.           

scholarly journals Weed Control in Sweet Bell Pepper Using Sequential Postdirected Applications of Pelargonic Acid

2014 ◽  
Vol 24 (6) ◽  
pp. 663-667 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles L. Webber ◽  
Merritt J. Taylor ◽  
James W. Shrefler
Keyword(s):  
Weed Control ◽  
Sweet Pepper ◽  
Application Rate ◽  
Bell Pepper ◽  
Pelargonic Acid ◽  
Yellow Nutsedge ◽  
Crop Injury ◽  
Application Rates ◽  
Control Research ◽  
The Impact

Pepper (Capsicum annuum) producers would benefit from additional herbicide options that are safe to the crop and provide effective weed control. Research was conducted in southeastern Oklahoma (Atoka County, Lane, OK) during 2010 and 2011 to determine the impact of pelargonic acid on weed control efficacy, crop injury, and pepper yields. The experiment included pelargonic acid applied unshielded postdirected at 5, 10, and 15 lb/acre, plus an untreated weedy control and an untreated weed-free control. ‘Jupiter’ sweet bell pepper, a tobacco mosaic virus-resistant sweet pepper with a 70-day maturity, was transplanted into single rows on 3-ft centered raised beds with 18 inches between plants (9680 plants/acre) on 28 May 2010 and 27 May 2011, respectively. Weeds included smooth crabgrass (Digitaria ischaemum), cutleaf groundcherry (Physalis angulata), spiny amaranth (Amaranthus spinosus), and yellow nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus). Pelargonic acid was applied postdirected each year in mid-June and then reapplied 8 days later. The 15-lb/acre pelargonic acid treatment resulted in the maximum smooth crabgrass control (56%) and broadleaf weed control (66%) at 1 day after the initial spray treatment (DAIT), and 33% yellow nutsedge control at 3 DAIT. Pelargonic acid at 15 lb/acre provided equal or slightly greater smooth crabgrass and broadleaf (cutleaf groundcherry and spiny amaranth) control compared with the 10-lb/acre application, and consistently greater control than the 5-lb/acre rate and the weedy control. Pelargonic acid was less effective at controlling yellow nutsedge than smooth crabgrass and broadleaf weeds. As the rate of pelargonic acid increased from 5 to 15 lb/acre, yellow nutsedge control also increased significantly for all observation dates. Increasing the pelargonic acid application rate increased the crop injury rating. The maximum crop injury occurred for each application rate at 1 DAIT with 7%, 8.0%, and 13.8% injury for pelargonic acid rates 5, 10, and 15 lb/acre, respectively. There was little or no new crop injury after the second postdirected application of pelargonic acid and crop injury following 3 DAIT for application rates was 2% or less. Only the 15-lb/acre pelargonic acid application produced greater fruit per hectare (4784 fruit/ha) and yields (58.65 kg·ha−1) than the weedy control (1196 fruit/ha and 19.59 kg·ha−1). The weed-free yields (7176 fruit/ha, 178.11 kg·ha−1, and 24.82 g/fruit) were significantly greater than all pelargonic acid treatments and the weedy control. Pelargonic acid provided unsatisfactory weed control for all rates and did not significantly benefit from the sequential applications. The authors suggest the pelargonic acid be applied to smaller weeds to increase the weed control to acceptable levels (>80%).

scholarly journals Soil Management Practices to Mitigate Nitrous Oxide Emissions and Inform Emission Factors in Arid Irrigated Specialty Crop Systems

Soil Systems ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 76
Author(s):  
Xia Zhu-Barker ◽  
Mark Easter ◽  
Amy Swan ◽  
Mary Carlson ◽  
Lucas Thompson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nitrous Oxide ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Soil Management ◽  
Emission Factors ◽  
Nitrous Oxide Emissions ◽  
Specialty Crops ◽  
Specialty Crop ◽  
The Impact

Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from arid irrigated agricultural soil in California have been predicted to represent 8% of the state’s total GHG emissions. Although specialty crops compose the majority of the state’s crops in both economic value and land area, the portion of GHG emissions contributed by them is still highly uncertain. Current and emerging soil management practices affect the mitigation of those emissions. Herein, we review the scientific literature on the impact of soil management practices in California specialty crop systems on GHG nitrous oxide emissions. As such studies from most major specialty crop systems in California are limited, we focus on two annual and two perennial crops with the most data from the state: tomato, lettuce, wine grapes and almond. Nitrous oxide emission factors were developed and compared to Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) emission factors, and state-wide emissions for these four crops were calculated for specific soil management practices. Dependent on crop systems and specific management practices, the emission factors developed in this study were either higher, lower or comparable to IPCC emission factors. Uncertainties caused by low gas sampling frequency in these studies were identified and discussed. These uncertainties can be remediated by robust and standardized estimates of nitrous oxide emissions from changes in soil management practices in California specialty crop systems. Promising practices to reduce nitrous oxide emissions and meet crop production goals, pertinent gaps in knowledge on this topic and limitations of this approach are discussed.

Effectiveness of green areas and impact of the spatial pattern on water infiltration within cities

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carla Ferreira ◽  
Barbara Frigione ◽  
Milan Gazdic ◽  
Michelle Pezzagno ◽  
António Ferreira
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Spatial Patterns ◽  
Water Cycle ◽  
Flood Hazard ◽  
Water Infiltration ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Rainfall Runoff ◽  
Runoff Reduction ◽  
Green Areas ◽  
The Impact

<p>Soil is a non-renewable resource subject to increasing degradation favoured by human activities, such as the creation of impervious surfaces. Driven by increasing global population, soil sealing became a major challenge due to growing expansion and its impact on decreasing ability of soil to provide ecosystem services. In order to mitigate the environmental and social impacts of sealing, a worldwide interest in greening the cities have been noticed among politicians and stakeholders. Urban green areas provide benefits for the urban water cycle, namely through reducing stormwater runoff and flood hazard. The effectiveness of green areas inside the cities on runoff reduction, is still not well understood. This is partially due to the role of complex landscapes, including distinct urban types (e.g. residential vs commercial) and spatial patterns, on rainfall-runoff processes. This study aims to investigate the impact of different spatial patterns of sealing and green areas on surface runoff. Inspired on the spatial patterns of green areas observed in several Portuguese city centres crossed by rivers, three spatial patterns were investigated: dispersed gardens with a narrow green strip along the stream (SS); small gardens along contours, with a large green strip downslope (HD); linear gardens along the slope, with a large green strip downslope (VD). The impact of these three patterns was assessed through lysimeter experiments, using concrete blocks to simulate sealed surfaces and turfgrass to mimic gardens. All the configurations included 60% sealing and 40% greening, which is the maximum allowed in several Portuguese municipalities for urban areas. The lysimeters have an area of 1.24 m<sup>2</sup> and a depth of 0.15 m, filled with sandy loam soil (1.4 kg/m<sup>3</sup>) bellow the pavement and the turfgrass, and are placed with a 13º-16º slope. The lysimeters were installed in October 2019 and are subject to natural rainfall. After each storm, runoff and leachate measurements have been performed. Three soil moisture sensors were installed per lysimeter, at 10 cm depth, and provide continuous records with 5 min intervals. Rainfall data is collected with a rain gauge installed nearby, with a 5 min resolution. Results show that 40% turfgrass is able to cope with the majority of rainfall and runoff from upslope paved surfaces. Runoff coefficient is typically less than 2% and attained a maximum of 4% during the largest (40 mm) and more intensive storm (9.4 mm/h). Although increasing soil moisture slightly enhances runoff generation, the spatial patterns investigated at small scale did not show significant impacts on rainfall-runoff processes. Turfgrass revealed effective to retain and infiltrate rainfall and runoff from paved surfaces. It may provide an adequate solution to mitigate the impact of urbanization on the water cycle and flood hazard within cities.</p>

scholarly journals IR4 UPDATE: NEW PEST CONTROL PRODUCTS BEING RESEARCHED FOR THE VEGETABLE CROPS INDUSTRY

HortScience ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 41 (3) ◽  
pp. 508E-508
Author(s):  
Charles Meister
Keyword(s):  
Powdery Mildew ◽  
Weed Control ◽  
Pest Control ◽  
Vegetable Crops ◽  
National Program ◽  
Research Projects ◽  
Specialty Crops ◽  
Rutgers University ◽  
New Pest

The IR4 Specialty Crops Program was established to assist in the registration of pest control products for minor uses. The National program, headquartered at Rutgers University and operating through four regions with a network of scientists in every state, develops lists of grower needs, prioritizes projects and develops protocols to secure EPA tolerances that lead to labels. Every year IR4 works on pest control products needed by the vegetable industry. Pest control products being researched for 2006 include Club root and wire stem control in crucifers with Ranman and Moncut: Lep. Larvae control in beans with Avaunt and Rimon; Phytopthora capsici control in peppers and squash; weed control in tomatoes with Reflex, Goal, and Dual Magnum and powdery mildew control in cucurbits. Research Projects were discussed and updated.

scholarly journals A Numerical Sensitivity Study on the Impact of Soil Moisture on Convection-Related Parameters and Convective Precipitation over Complex Terrain

2011 ◽  
Vol 68 (12) ◽  
pp. 2971-2987 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Barthlott ◽  
Norbert Kalthoff
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Complex Terrain ◽  
Weather Prediction ◽  
Sensitivity Study ◽  
Convective Precipitation ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Initial Soil Moisture ◽  
Initial Soil ◽  
The Impact

Abstract The impact of soil moisture on convection-related parameters and convective precipitation over complex terrain is studied by numerical experiments using the nonhydrostatic Consortium for Small-Scale Modeling (COSMO) model. For 1 day of the Convective and Orographically Induced Precipitation Study (COPS) conducted during summer 2007 in southwestern Germany and eastern France, initial soil moisture is varied from −50% to +50% of the reference run in steps of 5%. As synoptic-scale forcing is weak on the day under investigation, the triggering of convection is mainly due to soil–atmosphere interactions and boundary layer processes. Whereas a systematic relationship to soil moisture exists for a number of variables (e.g., latent and sensible fluxes at the ground, near-surface temperature, and humidity), a systematic increase of 24-h accumulated precipitation with increasing initial soil moisture is only present in the simulations that are drier than the reference run. The time evolution of convective precipitation can be divided into two regimes with different conditions to initiate and foster convection. Furthermore, the impact of soil moisture is different for the initiation and modification of convective precipitation. The results demonstrate the high sensitivity of numerical weather prediction to initial soil moisture fields.

Soil Temperature, Soil Moisture, Weed Control, and Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) Response to Mulching

1997 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 561-566 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Dale Monks ◽  
David W. Monks ◽  
Tom Basden ◽  
Arthur Selders ◽  
Suzanne Poland ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
North Carolina ◽  
Soil Moisture ◽  
West Virginia ◽  
Soil Temperature ◽  
Wheat Straw ◽  
Weed Control ◽  
Chemical Treatment ◽  
Vegetable Crops ◽  
Tomato Yield ◽  
Black Plastic

Shredded newspaper (2.5, 7.6, 12.7, and 17.8 cm depth), chopped newspaper (2.5 and 7.6 cm), wheat straw (15.2 cm), black plastic, and plastic landscape fabric were evaluated during 1993 and 1994 in West Virginia for their effect on soil temperature, soil moisture, weed control, and yield in tomato. Shredded newspaper and wheat straw applied at 0, 2, 4, or 6 weeks after transplanting (WAT) and napropamide (2.1 kg ai/ha) plus metribuzin (0.28 kg ai/ha) applied at transplanting were evaluated during 1992 and 1993 in North Carolina for effect on weed control and tomato yield. Results from West Virginia indicated that shredded (7.6 cm) and chopped (7.6 cm) newspaper conserved moisture similar to higher application rates of the shredded material. Higher newspaper mulching rates reduced soil temperature compared to black plastic and bare ground. Chopped newspaper controlled weeds more consistently than other treatments. At least 7.6 cm of chopped newspaper mulch was required to control weeds at least 90%. Wheat straw was not as effective in controlling weeds as 7.6 cm or greater of newspaper mulch. Chopped newspaper provided higher tomato yields than shredded newspaper applied at the same rates. Mulches applied at 0, 2, or 4 WAT resulted in weed control similar to the chemical treatment. In North Carolina, mulches applied 2 or 4 WAT resulted in tomato yields similar to the chemical treatment. Shredded and chopped newspaper have potential as a mulching material but may vary in effect in different environments and vegetable crops.

scholarly journals Weed Control in Yellow Squash Using Sequential Postdirected Applications of Pelargonic Acid

2014 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles L. Webber ◽  
Merritt J. Taylor ◽  
James W. Shrefler
Keyword(s):  
Weed Control ◽  
Application Rate ◽  
Pelargonic Acid ◽  
Fruit Number ◽  
Yellow Nutsedge ◽  
Crop Injury ◽  
Free Treatment ◽  
Control Research ◽  
Hand Weeding ◽  
The Impact

Squash (Cucurbita pepo) producers could benefit from additional herbicide options that are safe to the crop and provide effective weed control. Research was conducted in southeastern Oklahoma (Atoka County, Lane, OK) during 2010 and 2011 to determine the impact of pelargonic acid (PA) on weed control efficacy, crop injury, and squash yields. The experiment included PA applied unshielded postdirected at 5, 10, and 15 lb/acre, plus an untreated weedy control and an untreated weed-free control. ‘Enterprise’ yellow squash was direct-seeded in single rows into raised beds. Weeds included smooth crabgrass (Digitaria ischaemum), cutleaf groundcherry (Physalis angulata), spiny amaranth (Amaranthus spinosus), and yellow nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus). Pelargonic acid was applied each year in mid-July and then reapplied 8 days later. The maximum smooth crabgrass control (98%), broadleaf weed control (94%), and yellow nutsedge control (41%) was observed with the 15-lb/acre PA treatment at 9 days after initial spray treatment (DAIT), 1 day after sequential treatment (1 DAST). Pelargonic acid at 15 lb/acre provided equal or slightly greater smooth crabgrass and broadleaf (cutleaf groundcherry and spiny amaranth) control compared with the 10-lb/acre application, and consistently greater control than the 5-lb/acre rate and the weedy control. Pelargonic acid was less effective at controlling yellow nutsedge than smooth crabgrass and broadleaf weeds. Yellow nutsedge control peaked at 9 DAIT (1 DAST) with 10-lb/acre PA (41%). As the rate of PA increased from 5 to 15 lb/acre, yellow nutsedge control also increased significantly for all observation dates, except for 28 DAIT. Increasing the PA application rate increased the crop injury rating at 1 and 3 days after each application (1 and 3 DAIT, 1 and 3 DAST). Maximum squash injury occurred for each application rate at 9 DAIT (1 DAST) with 4.4%, 8.0%, and 12.5% injury for PA rates 5, 10, and 15 lb/acre, respectively. The 10-lb/acre PA treatment produced the highest squash yields (kilograms per hectare) and fruit number (fruit per hectare) compared with either the 5- or 15-lb/acre rates, and equivalent yields and fruit number as the hand-weeded weed-free treatment. The 10-lb/acre PA rate applied in a timely sequential application has the potential of providing good weed control with minimal crop injury resulting in yields equivalent to weed-free hand-weeding conditions.

Profitability of abrasive weeding in organic grain and vegetable crops

2018 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 215-220 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sam E. Wortman ◽  
Frank Forcella ◽  
David Lambe ◽  
Sharon A. Clay ◽  
Daniel Humburg
Keyword(s):  
Weed Control ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Weed Competition ◽  
Vegetable Crops ◽  
Plastic Mulch ◽  
Yield Data ◽  
Specialty Crops ◽  
Hand Weeding ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Profit Potential

AbstractWeed competition, especially within the crop row, limits the productivity and profitability of organic crop production. Abrasive weeding, a mechanical alternative to hand weeding, uses air-propelled grits to control small weed seedlings growing within the crop row. Recent research has demonstrated the successful use of abrasive weeding to reduce weed competition and increase yields in organic maize (Zea mays), tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) and green and red pepper crops (Capsicum annuum), but the profitability of this weed control tactic has not been assessed. Our objective was to determine the profitability of abrasive weeding using empirical yield data from three previously published studies, a range of crop prices and revenues, and a range of costs for wages, grit applicator ownership, tractor use, abrasive grits, and fuel. Results suggest that abrasive weeding was not profitable in organic maize production, and may reduce net income by US$223–3537 ha−1 compared with inter-row cultivation alone for weed control. The cost of abrasive weeding in maize was largely dependent on the cost of abrasive grits and the cost to own a four-row grit applicator (US$736–2105 yr−1). However, abrasive weeding was less expensive than hand weeding, especially as the scale of production increased. Abrasive weeding was profitable in tomato and pepper crops and increased net mean income by US$12,251–33,265 ha−1. However, abrasive weeding was not 100% effective and hand weeding for weed-free conditions was always the most profitable approach to in-row weed management in vegetable crops. The profit potential of the hand-weeded, weed-free treatments demonstrates the importance of weed control in high-value specialty crops–even those grown in plastic mulch film. Despite the profit potential for hand weeding observed here, labor is increasingly difficult to source, retain and afford, and abrasive weeding offers a mechanical alternative with 66% less labor required. Further research is needed to improve the efficacy of abrasive weeding and to reduce the cost of abrasive grits and application.

scholarly journals The Most Frequent Agronomic Practices Used by the Coconut Farmers in the “Coconut Triangle” of Sri Lanka

CORD ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 7
Author(s):  
Lalith Perera
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Information Sources ◽  
Cultural Practices ◽  
Training Programs ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Agronomic Practices ◽  
Frequent Event ◽  
The Impact

The study was carried out to identify the most frequently practiced cultural practices by coconut growers in the main coconut growing area termed as “Coconut Triangle”, among a set of technical practices recommended by the Coconut Research Institute of Sri Lanka (CRISL). The objective was also to analyse the impact of these practices to the yield and to analyse the effects of the information sources to the growers to enhance the farmers skills. The study was carried out between June 2018 and August 2018. For the data collection, a questionnaire developed by CRISL was used and 62 growers were randomly selected. All the answers were gathered in a table file. Then, the data were analysed using tabular analysis and the software SPSS. The study reveals that most of the growers are having intercrops between the coconut trees, in large or very small scale even if the yield is lowand needs more space. For the soil moisture conservation around the coconut palm, the majority of the growers use the simple and low-cost technique; mulching around the coconut palms. However, 30.1% of the growers were found to not use any technique to improve the soil moisture even when the drought is a frequent event in the country, but this more valid for small scale growers. To improve their yield, majority of the growers preferred and used CRISL recommended coconut fertilizer mixture (Adult Palm Mixture or APM) over the other commercially available fertilizer mixtures. Finally, the study shows that farmers with large estates are the most involved to follow training programs and apply the advices given by the CRISL.           

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