An undergraduate student project to improve mechanical control of perenial nutsedges with a peanut digger in organic crop production

Authors: Johnson, Wiley - Carroll; Way, Thomas - Tom; BEALE, DAVID - Auburn University

Submitted to: Weed Technology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/6/2015
Publication Date: 11/30/2015
Publication URL: https://handle.nal.usda.gov/10113/63216
Citation: Johnson, W.C., Way, T.R., Beale, D.G. 2015. An undergraduate student project to improve mechanical control of perenial nutsedges with a peanut digger in organic crop production. Weed Technology. 29:861-867.

Interpretive Summary: Perennial nutsedges are difficult to control in organic crop production systems. Tubers are generally confined to the upper portions of the soil profile and vulnerable to desiccation when on the soil surface. A peanut digger is a common implement found in the coastal plain region of the southeastern U. S. and has shown promise controlling perennial nutsedges in fallow sites. The peanut digger undercuts perennial nutsedges, deposits weeds on the soil surface, and exposes weeds to desiccation. However, rainfall after tillage with the peanut digger allows displaced perennial nutsedges to survive. As part of a senior-level class project, undergraduate mechanical engineering students from Auburn University designed and constructed a cart attached to a peanut digger that collected displaced nutsedges. Key features included a custom hitch that allowed the correct plane of movement and a hydraulic conveyor system that discarded the perennial nutsedges off-site, away from the field. The prototype was tested in a fallow location summer 2014 that had a yellow nutsedge infestation averaging 148 plants m-2. One week after the initial field test, tillage using the peanut digger with specialized cart reduced yellow nutsedge densities in the tilled area by >99%. With further refinement, this method of mechanical weed will directly improve weed management in organic cropping systems and allow expansion of production into areas heavily infested by perennial nutsedges.

Technical Abstract: Perennial nutsedges are difficult to control in organic crop production systems. Tubers are generally confined to the upper portions of the soil profile and vulnerable to desiccation when on the soil surface. A peanut digger is a common implement found in the coastal plain region of the southeastern U. S. and has shown promise controlling perennial nutsedges in fallow sites. The peanut digger undercuts perennial nutsedges, deposits weeds on the soil surface, and exposes weeds to desiccation. However, rainfall after tillage with the peanut digger allows displaced perennial nutsedges to survive. As part of a senior-level class project, undergraduate mechanical engineering students from Auburn University designed and constructed a cart attached to a peanut digger that collected displaced nutsedges. Key features included a custom hitch that allowed the correct plane of movement and a hydraulic conveyor system that discarded the perennial nutsedges off-site, away from the field. The prototype was tested in a fallow location summer 2014 that had a yellow nutsedge infestation averaging 148 plants m-2. One week after the initial field test, tillage using the peanut digger with specialized cart reduced yellow nutsedge densities in the tilled area by >99%.