Hort. Sci. (Prague), 2020, 47(1):1-12 | DOI: 10.17221/29/2019-HORTSCI

Sustainable alternatives to chemicals for weed control in the orchard - a ReviewReview

Md Jebu Mia1, Francesca Massetani2, Giorgio Murri3, Davide Neri*,1
1 Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Alimentari ed Ambientali, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
2 HORT Soc. Coop., Ancona, Italy
3 Azienda Agraria didattico sperimentale, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy

This review is designed to address various alternative weed-control practices and their possibilities in the fruit orchard in terms of sustainability. Correct weed management and maintenance of adequate orchard biodiversity are crucial for sustainable orchard soil management. The key is to practice an alternative weed-management approach (single or integrated) rather than to use possibly harmful chemicals only. Integration of modern equipment with a shallow tillage system can provide effective weed control in tree rows, including optimised tree performance and soil biodiversity. Living mulch suppresses weeds and enhances orchard biodiversity, while selection of less competitive and less pest-attracting species is crucial. Plastic covers offer long-term weed control, but additional nutrient amendments are required to maintain the balanced fertility of the soil. Wood chip mulch is suggested where the materials are available on or near the farm, and where there is lower incidence of perennial weeds. High pressure water and robotic systems are still in their infancy for fruit orchards, and required more research to confirm their efficiency.

Keywords: biodiversity; soil quality; integrated mowing; mulching; precision weed control

Published: March 31, 2020  Show citation

ACS AIP APA ASA Harvard Chicago Chicago Notes IEEE ISO690 MLA NLM Turabian Vancouver
Mia MJ, Massetani F, Murri G, Neri D. Sustainable alternatives to chemicals for weed control in the orchard - a Review. Hort. Sci. (Prague). 2020;47(1):1-12. doi: 10.17221/29/2019-HORTSCI.
Share...
Download citation
  • BibTeX (.bib)
  • Bookends (.ris)
  • EasyBib (.ris)
  • EndNote (.enw)
  • EndNote 8 (.xml)
  • ISI WoS (.isi)
  • Medlars (.medlars)
  • Mendeley (.ris)
  • MODS (.xml)
  • Papers (.ris)
  • RefWorks (.txt)
  • RefManager (.ris)
  • RIS (.ris)
  • MS Word (.xml)
  • Zotero (.ris)
    • Open full article

    References

    1. Bajwa A.A., Mahajan G., Chauhan B.S. (2015): Nonconventional weed management strategies for modern agriculture. Weed Science, 63: 723-747. Go to original source...
    2. Bakker T., Van Asselt K., Bontsema J., Muller J., Van Straten G. (2010): Systematic design of an autonomous platform for robotic weeding. Journal of Terramechanics, 47: 63-73. Go to original source...
    3. Bond W., Grundy A.C. (2001): Non-chemical weed management in organic farming systems. Weed Research, 41: 383-405. Go to original source...
    4. Bradshaw T. (2017): Non-chemical weed management in orchards. Available at http://www.uvm.edu /~fruit/? Page=treefruit/tf_horticulture.html (accessed Sept 17, 2018).
    5. Camposeo S., Vivaldi G.A. (2001): Short-term effects of deoiled olive mulching application on a young super highdensity olive orchard. Scienta Horticulturae, 129: 613-621. Go to original source...
    6. Dale A. (2000): Black plastic mulch and between-row cultivation increase blackcurrant yields. HortTechnology, 10: 307-308. Go to original source...
    7. Deng S.P., Tabatabai M.A. (1997): Effects of tillage and residue management on enzyme activities in soils: 3. Phosphatases and arylsulfatase. Biology and Fertility of Soils, 24: 141-146. Go to original source...
    8. Dick W.A. (1984): Influence of long-term tillage and croprotation combinations on soil enzyme activities. Journal of Soil Science Society of America, 48: 569-574. Go to original source...
    9. Duncan R.A., Stapleton J.J., Mckenry M.V. (1992): Establishment of orchards with black polyethylene film mulching: effect on nematode and fungal pathogens, water conservation, and tree growth. Journal of Nematology, 24: 681-687.
    10. Endeshaw S.T., Lodolini E.M., Neri D. (2015a): Effects of olive shoot residues on shoot and root growth of potted olive plantlets. Scientia Horticulturae, 182: 31-40. Go to original source...
    11. Endeshaw S.T., Lodolini E.M., Neri D. (2015b): Effects of untreated two-phase olive mill pomace on potted olive plantlets. Annals of Applied Biology, 166: 508-519. Go to original source...
    12. Freyman S. (1989): Living mulch ground covers for weed control between raspberry rows. Acta Horticulturae (ISHS), 262: 349-356. Go to original source...
    13. Forge T.A., Hogue E., Neilsen G., Neilsen D. (2008): Organic mulches alter nematode communities root growth and fluxes of phosphorus in the root zone of apple. Applied Soil Ecology, 39: 15-22. Go to original source...
    14. Gangatharan R., Neri D. (2012): Can biodiversity improve soil fertility in agroecosytems? New Mediterranean, 4: 11-18.
    15. Garcia-Ruiz R., Ochoa V., Hinojosa M.B., Carreira J.A. (2008): Suitability of enzyme activities for the monitoring of soil quality improvement in organic agricultural systems. Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 40: 2137-2145. Go to original source...
    16. Gaupp-Berghausen M., Hofer M., Rewald B., Zaller J.G. (2015): Glyphosate-based herbicides reduce the activity and reproduction of earthworms and lead to increased soil nutrient concentrations. Scientific Reports, 5, Art. No.: 12886. Go to original source...
    17. Giudice V.L. (1981): Present status of citrus weed control in Italy. International Society of Citriculture, 2: 485-487.
    18. Graham H.A.H, Cecoteau D.R., Liniville D.E. (1995): Development of polyethylene mulch system that changes color in the field. HortScience, 30: 265-269. Go to original source...
    19. Granatstein D., Kupferman E. (2008): Sustainable horticulture in fruit production. International Society for Horticultural Science (ISHS), 767: 295-308. Go to original source...
    20. Granatstein D., Mullinix K. (2008). Mulching options for northwest organic and conventional orchards. HortScience, 43: 45-50. Go to original source...
    21. Granatstein D., Andrews P., Groff A. (2014): Productivity, economics, and fruit and soil quality of weed management systems in commercial organic orchards in Washington State, USA. Organic Agriculture, 4: 197-207. Go to original source...
    22. Granatstein D., Sanchez E. (2009): Research knowledge and needs for orchard floor management in organic fruit system. International Journal of Fruit Science, 9: 257-281. Go to original source...
    23. Granatstein D., Wiman M., Kibry E., Mullinix K. (2010): Sustainability trade-offs in organic orchard floor management. Acta Horticulturae (ISHS), 873: 115-121. Go to original source...
    24. Grieshop M.J., Hanson E., Schilder A., Isaacs R., Mutch, D., Garcia-Salazar C., Longstroth M., Sadowsky J. (2012): Status update on organic blueberries in Michigan. International Journal of Fruit Science, 12: 232-245. Go to original source...
    25. Grossbard E., Davies H.A. (1976): Specific microbial responses to herbicides. Weed Research, 16: 163-170. Go to original source...
    26. Guerra B., Steenwerth K. (2012): Influence of floor management technique on grapevine growth, disease pressure, and juice and wine composition: a review. American Journal of Enology and Viticulture, 63: 149-164. Go to original source...
    27. Hammermeister A.M. (2016): Organic weed management in perennial fruits. Scientia Horticulturae, 208: 28-42. Go to original source...
    28. Hoagland L., Carpenter-Boggs L., Granatstein D., Mazzola M., Smith J., Peryea F., Reganold J.P. (2008): Orchard floor management effects on nitrogen fertility and soil biological activity in a newly established organic apple orchard. Biology and Fertility of Soils, 45: 11-18. Go to original source...
    29. Hogue E.J., Cline J.A., Neilsen G., Neilsen D. (2010): Growth and yield responses to mulches and cover crops under low potassium conditions in drip-irrigated apple orchards on coarse soils. HortScience, 45: 1866-1871. Go to original source...
    30. Jordan L.S., Day B.E. (1970): Weed control in citrus. FAO International Conference on Weed Control, University of California, Davis: 128-142.
    31. Ingels C.A., Lanini T., Klonsky K.M., Demoura R. (2013): Effects of weed and nutrient management practices in organic pear orchards. Acta Horticulturae (ISHS), 1001: 175-183. Go to original source...
    32. Kibblewhite M.G., Ritz K., Swift M.J. (2008): Soil health in agricultural systems. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 363: 685-701. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    33. Kitis Y., Koloren O., Uygur F. (2011): Evaluation of common vetch (Vicia sativa L.) as living mulch for ecological weed control in citrus orchards. African Journal of Agricultural Research, 6: 1257-1264.
    34. Kruidhof H., Bastiaans L., Kropff M. (2008): Ecological weed management by cover cropping, effects on weed growth in autumn and weed establishment in spring. Weed Research, 48: 492-502. Go to original source...
    35. Lacey L., Granatstein D., Arthurs S.P., Headrick H., Fritts Jr R. (2006): Use of entomopathogenic nematodes (Steinernematidae) in conjunction with mulches for control of overwintering codling moth (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae). Journal of Entomological Science, 41: 107-119. Go to original source...
    36. Lamont W.J. (2005): Plastic: modifying the microclimate for the production of vegetable crops. American Society for Horticultural Science, 15: 477-481. Go to original source...
    37. Lange A.H. (1970): Weed control methods, losses and costs due to weeds, and benefits of weed control in deciduous fruit and nut crops. FAO International Conference on Weed Control, Davis, California: 143-162.
    38. Larsson L. (1997): Evaluation of mulching in organically grown black currant (Ribes nigrum) in terms of its effects on the crop and the environment. Acta Universitatis Agriculturae Suecia Agraria, 28: 1-26.
    39. Liang W., Huang M. (1994): Influence of citrus orchard ground cover plants on arthropod communities in China: a review. Agriculture, Ecosystems and the Environment, 50: 29-37. Go to original source...
    40. Lisek J. (2014): Possibilities and limitations of weed management in fruit crops of the temperate climate zone. Journal of Plant Protection Research, 54: 318-326. Go to original source...
    41. Mage F. (1982): Black plastic mulching compared to other orchard soil management methods. Scietia Horticullturae, 2: 131-136. Go to original source...
    42. Melander B., Lattanzi B., Pannacci E. (2015): Intelligent versus nonintelligent mechanical intra-row weed control in transplanted onion and cabbage. Crop Protection, 72: 1-8. Go to original source...
    43. Meng J., Li L., Liu H., Li Y., Li C., Wu G., Yu X., Guo L., Cheng D., Muminov M.A., Liang X., Jiang G. (2016): Biodiversity management of organic orchard enhances both ecological and economic profitability. PeerJ, doi: 10.7717/peerj.2137. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
    44. Merwin I.A., Stiles W.C. (1994): Orchard groundcover management impacts on apple tree growth and yield, and nutrient availability and uptake. Journal of the America Society for Horticultural Science, 119: 209-215. Go to original source...
    45. Merwin I.W. (2003): Orchard floor management systems. In: Ferree D.C., Warrington I.J. (eds), Apples: botany, production and uses. CABI publ. Cambridge: 303-318. Go to original source...
    46. Meyer J.R., Zeh'r E.I., Meagher R.L., Salvo S.K. (1992): Survival and growth of peach trees and pest populations in orchard plots managed with experimental ground covers. Agriculture, Ecosystem and teh Environment, 41: 353-363. Go to original source...
    47. Neilsen G.H., Hogue E.J. (2000): Comparison of white clover and mixed sodgrass as orchard floor vegetation. Canadian Journal of Plant Science, 80: 617-622. Go to original source...
    48. Neilsen G.H., Neilsen D. (2003): Nutritional requirements of apple. In: Ferree D.C., Warrington I.J. (eds): Apples: botany, production, and uses. CABI Publ. Cambridge: 267-302. Go to original source...
    49. Neilsen G.H., Hogue E.J., Forge T., Neilsen D. (2003): Mulches and biosolids affect vigor, yield and leaf nutrition of fertigated high density apple. HortScience, 38: 41-45. Go to original source...
    50. Neilsen G., Neilsen D., Ogorman D., Hogue E., Forge T., Angers D., Bissonnette N. (2013): Soil management in organic orchard production systems. Acta Horticulturae (ISHS), 1001: 295-302. Go to original source...
    51. Neri D. (2004): Low input apple production in central Italy: tree and soil management. Journal of Fruit and Ornamental Plant Research, 12: 69-76.
    52. Neri D. (2013): Organic soil management to prevent soil sickness during integrated fruit production. Integrated production of fruit crops, 91: 87-99.
    53. Pannacci E., Covarelli G. (2005): Mechanical weed control in sunflower. 13th European Weed Research Society Symposium, June 2005. Bari, Italy.
    54. Pannacci E., Graziani F., Guiducci M., Tei F. (2008): Controllo meccanico delle malerbe in colture da seme di cipolla. In: In: Proceedings of Research Project "Azioni di innovazione e ricerca a supporto del piano sementiero. PRIS2 Progetto di ricerca interregionale, Programma "Sviluppo Rurale" e Sottoprogramma "Innovazione e Ricerca": 265-275.
    55. Pannacci E., Lattanzi B., Tei F. (2017): Non-chemical weed managements strategies in minor crops: a review. Crop Protection, 96: 44-58. Go to original source...
    56. Pannacci E., Tei F. (2014): Effects of mechanical and chemical methods on weed control, weed seed rain and crop yield in maize, sunflower and soyabean. Crop Protection, 64: 51-59. Go to original source...
    57. Peruzzi A., Martelloni L., Frasconi C., Fontanelli M., Pirchio M., Raffaelli M. (2017): Machines for non-chemical intra-row weed control: a review. Journal of Agricultural Engineering, 48: 57-70. Go to original source...
    58. Pieterse P.J. (2010): Herbicide resistance in weeds - a threat to effective chemical weed control in South Africa. South African Journal of Plant and Soil, 27: 66-73. Go to original source...
    59. Polverigiani S., Massetani F., Tarragoni A., Neri D. (2013a): Apricot root development and morphology as influenced by mulching and multispecies ground cover. Acta Horticulturae (ISHS), 1001: 353-359. Go to original source...
    60. Polverigiani S., Perilli A., Rainer A., Massetani F., Neri D., Kelderer M. (2013b). Effect of four different soil management techniques on apple root development. Acta Horticulturae (ISHS), 1001: 361-367 Go to original source...
    61. Polverigiani S., Franzina M., Neri D. (2018a): Effect of soil condition on apple root development and plant resilience in intensive orchards. Applied Soil Ecology, 123: 787-792. Go to original source...
    62. Polverigiani S., Franzina M., Neri D. (2018b): Effect of manure and digestate amendments on apple seedlings in the presence of homospecific residues. Acta Horticulturae (ISHS), 1228: 445-450. Go to original source...
    63. Robinson R.A., Sutherland W.J. (2002): Post-war changes in arable farming and biodiversity in Great Britain. Journal of Applied Ecology, 39: 157-176. Go to original source...
    64. Rovira A.D., Elliot L.F., Cook R.J. (1990): The impact of cropping systems on rhizosphere organisms affecting plant health. J.M. Lynch (ed.). The rhizosphere. Wiley, Chichester: 389-436.
    65. Sanchez J.E., Willson T.C., Kizilkaya K., Parker E., Harwood R.R. (2001): Enhancing the mineralized nitrogen pool through substrate diversity in long term cropping and systems. Journal of Soil Science Society of America, 65: 1442-1447. Go to original source...
    66. Schonbeck M. (2012): Synthetic mulching materials for weed management in organic production. eOrganic article, Available at http://www.extension.org/pages/65191.
    67. Shorette K. (2012): Outcomes of global environmentalism: longitudinal and cross-national trends in chemical fertilizer and pesticide use. Social Forces, 91: 299-325. Go to original source...
    68. Shrestha A., Kurtural S.K., Fidelibus M.W., Dervishian G., Konduru S. (2013): Efficacy and cost of cultivators, steam, or an organic herbicide for weed control in organic vineyards in the San Joaquin Valley of California. HortTechnology, 23: 99-108. Go to original source...
    69. Shrestha A., Moretti M., Mourad N. (2012): Evaluation of thermal implements and organic herbicides for weed control in a nonbearing almond (Prunus dulcis) orchard. Weed Technology, 25: 110-116. Go to original source...
    70. Slaughter D.C., Giles D.K., Downey D. (2008): Autonomous robotic weed control: a review. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture, 61: 63-78. Go to original source...
    71. Stefanelli D., Zoppolo R.J., Perry R.L., Weibel F. (2009): Organic orchard floor management systems for apple effect on rootstock performance in the midwestern United States. HortScience, 44: 263-267. Go to original source...
    72. Suzuki K. (1981): Weeds in citrus orchards and control in Japan. International Society of Citriculture, 2: 489-492.
    73. Tahir I.I., Svensson S.E., Hansson D. (2015): Floor management system in an organic apple orchard affect fruit quality and storage life. HortScience, 50: 434-441. Go to original source...
    74. Tarara J.M. (2000): Microclimate modification with plastic mulch. HortScience, 35: 169-180. Go to original source...
    75. Teasdale J., Brandsaeter L., Calegari A., Skora Neto F. (2007): Cover crops and weed management. In: M.K. Upadhyaya and R.E. Blackshaw (eds.): Nonchemical weed management, CAB International, Wallingford, UK: 49-64. Go to original source...
    76. Tedders W.L. (1983): Insect management in deciduous orchard ecosystems: habitat manipulation. Environmental Management, 7: 29-34. Go to original source...
    77. Tei F., Pannacci E. (2005): La gestione integrata della flora infestante nelle colture orticole. Italus Hortus, 12: 45-62.
    78. Teravest D., Smith J.L., Carpenter-Boggs L., Hoagland L., Granatstein D., Reganold J.P. (2010): Influence of orchard floor management and compost application timing on nitrogen partitioning in apple trees. HortScience, 45: 637-642. Go to original source...
    79. Treder W., Klamkowski K., Mika A., Wojcik P. (2004): Response of young apple trees to different orchard floor management system. Journal of Fruit and Ornamental Plant Research, 12: 113-123.
    80. Turner R.J., Davies G., Moore H., Grundy A.C., Mead A. (2007): Organic weed management: a review of the current UK farmer perspective. Crop Protection, 26: 377-382. Go to original source...
    81. Van Huyssteen L., Weber H.W. (1980): The effect of selected minimum and conventional tillage practices in vineyard cultivation on vine performance. South African Journal for Enology and Viticulture, 1: 77-83. Go to original source...
    82. Vester J., Rasmussen J. (1990): Test of the row brush hoe in horticultural crops. Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Non-Chemical Weed Control, Linz, Austria: 127-134.
    83. Wardle D., Yeates G.W., Bonner K.I., Nicholson K.S., Watson R.S. (2001): Impacts on ground vegetation management strategies in a kiwifruit orchard on the composition and functioning of the soil biota. Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 33: 893-905. Go to original source...
    84. Wei D., Liping C., Zhijun M., Guangwei W., Ruirui Z. (2010): Review of non-chemical weed management for green agriculture. International Journal for Agricultural and Biological Engineering, 3: 52-60.
    85. Weibel F.P., Tamm L., Wyss E., Daniel C., Häseli A., Suter F. (2007): Organic fruit production in Europe: success in production and marketing in the last decade, and perspectives and challenges for the future development. Acta Horticulturae (ISHS), 737: 163-172. Go to original source...
    86. Wooldridge J., Harris R.E. (1989): Effect of ground cover on the performance of young apple trees and on certain topsoil characteristics. Deciduous Fruit Grower, 39: 427-433.
    87. Yao S.R., Merwin I.A., Brown M.G. (2009): Apple root growth, turnover, and distribution under different orchard groundcover management systems. HortScience, 44: 168-175. Go to original source...
    88. Yu C., Hu X.M., Deng W., Li Y., Xiong C., Ye C.H., Han G.M., Li X. (2015): Changes in soil microbial community structure and functional diversity in the rhizosphere surrounding mulberry subject to long-term fertilization. Applied Soil Ecology, 86: 30-40. Go to original source...
    89. Želazny W., Licznar-Malanczuk M. (2018): Soil quality and tree status in a 12-year-old apple orchard under three mulch-based floor management systems. Soil and Tillage Research, 180: 250-258. Go to original source...

    This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY NC 4.0), which permits non-comercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original publication is properly cited. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.


    Return to the content