Thermal weeding

Ascard, J. 1998. Comparison of flaming and infrared radiation techniques for thermal weed control. Weed Research 38 69-76. 

Baral, S.S., Das, S.N., Roy Chaudhury, G., Swamya, Y.V., and Rath, P., Adsorption of Cr(VI) using thermally activated weed Salvinia cucullata, Chemical Engineering Journal, 139, 245-255, 2008b. 

Shirtliffe, S.J., Entz, M.H. and Van Acker, R.C. (2000). Avena fatua development and seed shatter as related to thermal time. Weed Sci., 48, 555-560. 

Economou G, Mavrogiannopoulos G, Paspatis EA (1997) Weed seed responsiveness to thermal degree hours under laboratory conditions and soil solarization in greenhouse. In Proceedings of the second conference on soil solarization. FAO Plant Production and Protection Paper 147, Rome, Italy, pp 246-263... 

Flame cultivation was attempted in sugarcane in the 1940s (Conrad and Lucas, 1995), but was soon abandoned. Liquid propane flamers burned broadleaf and grassy weeds as shields partially protected the crop from thermal damage. While flame cultivation was only marginally useful in sugarcane, tractor-mounted weed burners have been important in the transition from dependence on repetitive mechanical cultivation to the concept of chemical energy for weed control. 

There are no approved chemical methods to control weeds in organic crops. Growers have to rely primarily on preventive or physical measures to maintain weed control. These measures include rotation, timing of cultivation, undersowing and the use of mulches. Physical methods may also be used and these include hand weeding, the use of mechanical techniques such as brush hoes and thermal destruction. 

Point 3 lists the permitted measures for controlling pests, diseases and weeds. They include the choice of appropriate species and varieties, with an appropriate rotation programme, and the protection of bene-ficials by the creation of favourable conditions or the release of natural enemies of pests. Weeds may be controlled only by mechanical or thermal methods. 

WEE/MOR] Weed, H. C., Morrow, R. J., Thermal decomposition of thorium dicarbide, Lawrence Radiation Lab. Report, Report UCRL-70245, (1967). Cited on pages 342,343. 

Compostable nonwoven can be of 100% compostable PLA fibres. Such fabrics are designed to be positioned around the plant on top of the soil (as you can see in Fig. 13.7). They offer additional benefits in reducing weeds growing at the base of trees (Appleton Derr, 1990), minimize watering, and improve the overall thermal regulation of the soil environment (Technical Absorbent, 2015). 

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