Description:
One of the largest problems in organic agriculture is perennial weed control. It is almost impossible to completely eradicate these weeds and very difficult and costly to control them. Our research focuses on the exploration and development of a systems approach based weed control. In the BO plantgezondheid 2006-2008 research program, we started with an analysis of the biology of the most troublesome species at present, and those species that are expected to become increasingly more difficult to control in future. The weakest spots in the life cycle of the species were used to develop new control systems.
Several field experiments (2003-2008) were performed to investigate the optimum cutting depth in relation to weather and soil type. Furthermore, the efficacy of this root cutting method was compared with the effects of coverage (plastic), hoeing at different frequencies, application of the Kvik up with and without removal of plant rests, hot water treatments, growing green manure crops, and the incorporation of grass in the soil with and without plastic coverage. Although results were variable, several methods have good perspectives for the future to effectively reduce perennial weed populations The effectiveness depended on the species, the soil type and, to some extent, weather conditions.
Research objectives:
Aim of this project is to further develop and improve the techniques and systems that showed good prospects in the BO program and make application if these techniques in practice possible.
Results and products:
This research will give more information about the possibilities of bio-fumigation in practice.
It will also give more information about timing, cutting depth etc. about root cutting,
Annual report on the experimental research, feedback to the project team and a presentation at the organic field days (biologische velddag)
Article in a farmers magazine such as Ekoland |
