Weed control in soy with a finger weeder
Problem:
Weeds within a row are poorly accessible and in the case of a late weed infestation, it can seriously disrupt the development of the crop and cause costly manual labour. Weed control in between rows with duck-foot tines is typically ineffective for controlling the weeds inside the seed rows.
Solution:
In order to minimise weed competition in soy cultivation, weeds growing near the soy plants need to be controlled. The combination of a hoeing device with duck-foot tines and ridging discs with a finger weeder is able to control the weeds across the entire surface.
Outcome:
The finger weeder is the only mechanical hoe that also controls weeds within the row thanks to a slanted position and adjustable overlap of the finger plates, and it greatly reduces manual labour. It offers good performance for most row crops.
Practical recommendation: - Pass once with the harrow 2 to 3 days after sowing the soy (blind harrowing), when many seed weeds have already sprouted. At this moment, the harrow is able to efficiently cover or expose the weeds (up to 90 % efficiency), but avoid damaging the soy seedlings. - A second round with the harrow, applying little tine pressure (a precision tined-weeder recommended), is possible when the soy plants have developed their first pair of leaves. - From the soy's two-internode stage (plant height of about 15 cm) onwards, the use of the finger weeder is possible, provided the crop is well-rooted and the weeds are - if possible - still at their sprouting stage. Ideally the finger weeder is combined with a hoeing device with duck-foot tines. Link: http://orgprints.org/31017/25/PA_002_Finger-weeder-in-soy_final_QR.pdf
OK-Net Arable – Organic Knowledge Network Arable
Ongoing | 2015-2018
- Main funding source
- Horizon 2020 (EU Research and Innovation Programme)
- Geographical location
- Belgium