Punch planting, flame weeding and stale seedbed for weed control in row crops

Abstract

Punch planting is introduced as a new method to reduce weeds within rows in organically grown crops. In this method a hole is punched in the soil, and a seed is dropped into it, without seedbed preparation and soil disturbance outside the hole. In 2 years, punch planting with flame weeding, normal planting with flame weeding and normal planting without flame weeding were compared in fodder beet for five planting dates. Each planting date represented a lag-period since establishment of the stale seedbed. Over all planting times and years, punch planting with flame weeding reduced intrarow weed densities by 30% at the two to four leaf stage of fodder beet compared with normal drilling with flame weeding. Punch planting with flame weeding also reduced intra-row weed densities by 50% compared with normal drilling without flame weeding. In general, there was no improved performance of punch planting with flame weeding over years by later planting, but delayed planting reduced intra-row weed densities significantly. Over 2 years, 240 day degrees Celsius (4 weeks) planting delay reduced intra-row weed densities in the range of 68-86% depending on plant establishment procedure. Punch planting with flame weeding offers a promising method of weed control in organic farming.

Precise tillage systems for enhanced non-chemical weed management

“…Hot water applied to narrow strips (20% of the field area) with small weeds would require approximately 1.6 m 3 water ha À1 and 20 kg propane ha À1 (derived from Hansson and Ascard, 2002). Combining strip flaming and punch planting (Rasmussen, 2003) allows for crop establishment without soil disturbance, which reduces and delays weed germination. Although corn, onions, sunflower and cabbages tolerate postemergence flaming (Casini et al, 1994;Netland et al, 1994;Peruzzi et al, 1998), the potential for selective thermal weed control is yet restricted and requires further research (Bertram, 2002).…”

“…Although clear relationships between seed longevity and soil properties have not been found (Albrecht and Auerswald, 2003;Bekker et al, 2003), burial depth, soil moisture and organic amendments affect seed decay (Fennimore and Jackson, 2003;Forcella, 2003). (5) Preventing weed emergence or shifting the time of emergence relative to the crop, to give the crop a competitive advantage, provide additional opportunities for weed control, and increase intra-row weeding selectivity (Bullied et al, 2003;Rasmussen, 2003). (6) Damaging plants (e.g., by mechanical weeding, slashing, predation or other biological agents) and disrupting belowground storage organs of perennial weeds.…”

La haute technologie au service de la lutte physique aux mauvaises herbes dans un contexte d’agriculture biologique

“…Par exemple, la technique du semis à perforation (punch planting) est une nouvelle méthode pour réduire les mauvaises herbes sur le rang. Le sol est perforé de trous et une graine est déposée dans chacun de ceux-ci (Rasmussen 2003). Avec cette méthode, il n'y a pas de préparation de lit de semence et le sol n'est pas perturbé à l'extérieur du trou, ce qui évite la stimulation de germination de graines de mauvaises herbes.…”

Effects of False Seedbed on the Preventative Weed Control in Organic Rice Paddy Field

“…겨울밀과 상추 재배에서 예방적 방법으로 가묘상을 수행 하였을 때 잡초의 발생이 현격하게 줄었다고 하였다 (Rasmussen, 2000;Bleeker and Weide, 2000). 미국 중남부 (Boyd et al, 2006;Lonsbary et al, 2003;Rasmussen, 2003 …”