AAFC research shows potato vine crusher cuts weed seed growth
Researchers from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) found a new use for a machine originally designed for potato production. The potato vine crusher, first created to destroy insect pests in potato vines, is now proving effective in reducing weed seeds during harvest.
The idea was developed by Dr. Andrew McKenzie-Gopsill, an AAFC research scientist in Prince Edward Island. He adapted the equipment as part of a weed management practice known as harvest weed seed control. This method focuses on preventing weed seeds from returning to the field, where they can grow into future weed problems.
The potato vine crusher uses two metal rollers powered by a generator to crush plant material during harvest. Initial tests involved mixing common weed seeds with potato plants and passing them through the machine. Researchers then checked how many of the crushed seeds could still germinate.
“When we bring research like this from controlled scenarios to more unpredictable real-life environments, successful results are not always guaranteed. Fortunately, we had great results in reducing viability of the different weed seeds we tested in field conditions. Viability was more affected in some species than others. In volunteer canola and barnyard grass, we were able to reduce seed viability after harvest in the fall by over 20 per cent,” said Nicolle MacDonald, biologist, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.
The early results were encouraging. Laboratory studies showed that germination of several weed species dropped significantly, with some weed seeds experiencing reductions of up to 95 per cent. Soil-based trials also demonstrated strong reductions in weed growth.
To evaluate the technology under real farming conditions, researchers attached the crusher to a conventional potato harvester. Weed seeds, including volunteer canola, barnyard grass, lambsquarters, redroot pigweed, and corn spurry, were passed through the crusher during harvest.
“The equipment is another valuable tool for farmers to use in their integrated weed management strategy. Over the long term, when weed seeds cannot germinate, farmers will see a reduction in the seed bank resulting in fewer weeds over time,” said Dr. McKenzie-Gopsill.
Field trials confirmed the machine's effectiveness. Volunteer canola seed germination was reduced by 26 per cent, while barnyard grass dropped by 21 per cent. Lambsquarters and redroot pigweed saw reductions of 14 per cent and 13 per cent respectively. Researchers also observed lower seed viability after winter, showing long-term benefits.
The innovation is especially important as more weed species become resistant to herbicides. By reducing the number of weed seeds returned to the soil, farmers can gradually lower the weed seed bank and decrease future weed pressure.
Photo Caption: Nicolle MacDonald drops a mesh bag of various weed seed species into the weed seed crusher attached to a conventional harvester during fall harvest of potatoes.
Photo Credit: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada