Mechanical approaches to perennial weed suppression in organically established no-till cover crops

Mechanical approaches to perennial weed suppression in organically established no-till cover crops

Summary

This project proposes to use a yeoman’s plow with large and adjustable swept undercut bars fitted with a heavy coulter to test two main approaches. The first approach is to set the undercut bar just below the top sod root layer to further weaken or kill the sod before organic no-till drilling of spring and winter covercrops, and later no till planting of corn, sunflowers, or soybeans. The second approach is to set the coulter to make one slice through the rolled mulch layer and undercut perennial weeds just below the mulch while leaving the mulch layer largely in place. This project will trial several dates, sod and mulch conditions and different depths and plow/cultivator setups.

The results of the trial are mixed and still being analyzed with quantitative data from two years of trials in Corn plots in comparison with conventional tillage, no-till, and strip till methods.  

Initial observations indicate that there are some conditions where the technique may be effective in the pre-planting strip till type treatment, and that undermulch “sweeps” could be effective with some changes to the equipment design and tractor setup to improve accuracy durring cultivation.   Recomended changes and associated 3D sketchup drawings will be provided as part of the final report.  The proposed improved tool design, which is closer to a sweep plow design, will also be posted to www.farmhack.net as part of ongoing project dissemination.

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