MELFORT, Sask. — Herbicide resistance in weeds is a serious and costly problem for farmers and their crops.
A group of researchers at the University of Nebraska have been studying a unique control concept called “abrasive or projectile weed control” in corn crops.
Using a sandblaster, the university research team shoots natural materials like corn grit, corn gluten meal, and walnut shells directly at weeds. They found this alternative to herbicides was an effective way of killing the weeds or severely damaging them in corn crops while reducing costs and environmental impacts.
The could provide a quick, cost-effective, and simple solution for farmers trying to control weeds in their crops and reduce the environmental impact of herbicide use.
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) research scientists across Canada have teamed up to form the northern chapter of “weed hunters” as part of the Alternative Pest Management Solutions project to reduce pesticide and herbicide use.
Dr. Robert Nurse with the Harrow Research and Development Centre is leading the study.
“Farmers are finding fewer herbicide options available to them due to resistance from weeds. Projectile weed control could provide them with a safe alternative to destroying weeds that has a very low environmental impact,” Nurse said.
Developing and registering a new herbicide in Canada can cost hundreds of millions of dollars and take 10 to 15 years. The air-propelled abrasives being tested by AAFC would not require registration by Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency.
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