Examining Impact of Re-Tire® Mat on Weeds, Soil Health and Crop Production at a Vineyard in Chautauqua County, NY

Project Overview

ONE24-451
Project Type: Partnership
Funds awarded in 2024: $30,000.00
Projected End Date: 05/31/2027
Grant Recipient: Chautauqua Hydroseeding LLC,
Region: Northeast
State: New York
Project Leader:
Robert Lucas
Email
Chautauqua Hydroseeding, LLC

Commodities

  • Fruits: grapes

Practices

  • Crop Production: row covers (for season extension)
  • Education and Training: on-farm/ranch research
  • Pest Management: integrated pest management, row covers (for pests)
  • Soil Management: soil quality/health

    Proposal abstract:

    This project examines a product created by Robert Lucas and refined by the Rochester Institute of Technology Golisano Institute of Sustainability that utilizes scrap tires as a weed mat. The Re-Tire® Mat differs from existing rubber barriers because production does not require melting rubber or adding resin, and installation does not use adhesives. These differences result in a lower carbon footprint during manufacturing, decreased largescale production cost, easier installation, and increased water permeability.

    Research will take place at the Johnson Estate Winery in Westfield, NY, the oldest continuously operating estate winery in the state. The vineyard owner has designed the testing plan as well as the dimensions and layout of the mats. Data collection will occur over 20 months to analyze weed suppression, soil health and crop production on established grape rows and new grape plantings. Whitewashed mats will be used on some test areas to compare how color impacts heat retention of the mats in relation to early budding and frost damage. We will outline two control areas in both established and new grape rows where routine mowing and herbicide applications will occur. The product has the potential to be transformative as it is more water permeable than existing rubber barrier products, and stronger than plastic and cloth mats, making it easier for farmers to reduce or eliminate the use of harmful chemical herbicides. It also creates a new use for scrap tires, of which 27 million are still stockpiled or landfilled annually in the US.

    Project objectives from proposal:

    1. This project seeks to determine if the installation of Re-Tire® Mats can effectively kill existing undesirable live vegetation when installed directly on top of existing vegetation in grape rows. 

    *Anticipated outcome: The mats will eradicate existing weeds in grape rows, preventing the need to use herbicides, mowers, trimmers, or cultivation methods prior to installation. 

    1. This project seeks to determine efficacy of the Re-Tire® Mat on weed suppression over a 20-month field study.

    *Anticipated outcome: The mats will suppress the growth of new weeds in grape rows where placed, preventing the need to use herbicides, mowers, trimmers, or cultivation methods.

    1. This project seeks to determine the effect of whitewashing the Re-Tire® Mat on crop production in relation to frost events, early bud break, and plant vitality.

    *Anticipated outcomes: Whitewashed mats will lead to lower ground temperatures compared to black mats. Lower ground temperatures may delay budding. Warmer ground temperatures may cause early budding.

    1. This project seeks to determine the level of soil nutrients and heavy metals present in the soil before and after the Re-Tire® Mats are installed compared to control areas where no mats are deployed.

    *Anticipated outcomes: The level of soil nutrients and heavy metals will be the same in the matted areas and control areas. 

    Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and should not be construed to represent any official USDA or U.S. Government determination or policy.