ARS | Publication request: Potential of Air-Propelled Abrasives for Selective Weed Control

Submitted to: Weed Technology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: February 6, 2009
Publication Date: April 1, 2009
Repository URL: http://ddr.nal.usda.gov/handle/10113/32467
Citation: Forcella, F. 2009. Potential of Air-Propelled Abrasives for Selective Weed Control. Weed Technology. 23:317-320.

Interpretive Summary: New forms of selective weed control are needed by many types of growers, but especially organic growers who are restricted from using synthetic herbicides. Grit made from ground corn cobs was shot from a sand blaster at 75 psi pressure and aimed at seedlings of common lambsquarters and corn positioned 12 inches away. Most small weed seedlings were killed by a single split-second blast of grit, but corn seedlings suffered little damage by the same treatment. Air-propelled grit made from agricultural residues possibly could be used for selective non-chemical weed control without the need for soil tillage. Beneficiaries of such a form of weed control include organic farmers, who currently rely heavily upon soil tillage for weed management and whose crops often suffer substantial damage from weeds that escaped non-chemical control techniques.

Technical Abstract: Novel forms of selective weed control are needed by many types of growers, but especially organic growers who are restricted from using synthetic herbicides. Abrasive grit made from corn cobs was expelled from a sand blaster at 517 kPa pressure and aimed at seedlings of common lambsquarters and corn positioned 300 mm distant. Most small weed seedlings were killed by one split-second blast of grit, but corn seedlings suffered little damage by the same treatment. Air-propelled grit made from agricultural residues possibly could be used for selective non-chemical weed control without the need for soil tillage.