First Australian electro-weeding trial

The use of the Swiss made Zasso Electroherb machine, based on Brazilian technology, should determine whether electro-weeding is the future of sustainable weed control for primary industries growers. The two-year electro-weeding project findings will be shared with industry.

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) of Western Australia will join with Case New Holland Industrial to test the technology’s suitability to control weeds in Australian dryland and irrigated agriculture.

Control weeds with electricity

Researchers will also examine which weeds are easiest to control with electricity and the technology’s potential uses in Australian agriculture to generate cost savings and influence crop yields.

The project also has support from the Grains Research and Development Corporation, Wine Australia, WA consultants AHA Viticulture and the Cotton Research and Development Corporation.

The Zasso Electroherb machine uses mechanical power to produce a high voltage current, which is applied directly to plants via a series of electrodes mounted behind or in front of the tractor. The electro-weeding process works by passing electricity through a plant by touching it with an electrical applicator, which causes the cell walls to be destroyed – killing the plant or supressing growth. The target species are affected immediately and desiccate within hours.

Also read: CNHi and Zasso team up to launch XPower electric weed control

More sustainable farming

The technology has not been tested under Australian field conditions before, although it is used in Europe on a small scale for horticulture and viticulture properties and for roadside weed control.

DPIRD research scientist Miranda Slaven says that that electric weed control could be part of an integrated solution to reduce dependence on chemical inputs and create more sustainable farming systems. “Finding alternative weed control strategies to chemical measures is important in Australia, due to increasing rates of herbicide resistance and increasingly discerning market demands”, she emphasises.

This new device is at the frontier of agricultural technology

“This new device is at the frontier of agricultural technology, and it is valuable to test it under Australian growing conditions to examine its potential application as a non-chemical methodology in our agronomic systems.” A preliminary plot trial indicated volunteer crops and grass weeds could be the hardest to control, due to the plants high surface area and extensive branching of roots and shoots.

The device will initially be tested on its ability to control weeds on viticulture and horticulture properties and later along roadsides and fence lines, as well as its use for fallow weed control at the department’s research facilities in the so called Grainbelt.

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Herbicide resistant weeds

The research will target herbicide resistant weeds, like annual ryegrass and wild radish, and problematic agricultural weeds, such as feathertop Rhodes grass and fleabane, as well as perennial weeds, including kikuyu and wireweed. The machine will be commissioned before being rolled out in the field in coming months.

Project lead research scientist Catherine Borger says a literature review and reports from Europe suggest soil health and soil biota were not compromised by the technology. “Our research will include an analysis of the technology’s effect on soil health, including soil microbial density and diversity, as well as soil root pathogens, such as rhizoctonia”, Dr Borger points out.

Potential fire risk during summer

“We are also particularly interested to ascertain whether there is a potential fire risk during summer so the trials will be undertaken following safety training using the utmost safety procedures. A cost-benefit analysis will also be incorporated into the research to determine where this technology can provide economic benefits to the industry in WA.”

Also read: New Holland XPower XPN: Electric weeding solution for vineyards