Row-grown vegetable crops

Project responsible: Fredrik Fogelberg,  Swedish Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Engineering.

The aim of this project is to investigate various non-chemical weed control methods in row crops with the aim of providing farmers with background data regarding the methods can be appropriate for a certain crop. It is preferable that such research be carried out on different textures of soil, e.g. a peat, a sandy soil and a light clay loam, and in different geographical locations representing all of Sweden. The experimental sites are Torslunda Experimental Station and Ekhaga Experimental Farm.

Two methods are being studied - weed harrowing and row harrowing with scraping tines. Both methods are simple and can probably be used in a number of crops. There is a lack of current knowledge about the suitability of the methods for a large number of crops. We know little about whether weed harrowing can be used in e.g. carrots and beans (field beans, broad beans) or whether oilseed rape can be treated using scraping tines.

The trials are generally being carried out in the form of block experiments with four replicates. The plots are treated mechanically and compared with one control plot per treatment. Statistical analysis is by multifactor-ANOVA, and in certain cases paired samples. Recording of weeds is carried out before and after treatment.

Weed harrowing is being carried out in the following crops: carrot, sugarbeet, seed-grown onion (only on Öland), dill, beans (broad beans on Öland, kidney beans at Ekhaga), oilseed rape, beetroot, spring wheat (only in Uppland). Treatment of the crops is taking place at two stages of development, with recording of the total weed control effect and control of the three most dominant weeds. Crop yield is also being recorded.

Row hoeing with scraping tines is being carried out in the following crops: carrot, sugarbeet, dill, beans (broad beans on Öland, kidney beans at Ekhaga in Uppsala), oilseed rape and  beetroot. Treatment of the crops is taking place at two stages of development, with recording of the total weed control effect and control of the three most dominant weeds. Crop yield is also being recorded.