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1

Practicality and Costs of “Alternative” Practicality and Costs of “Alternative” Weed Management MethodsWeed Management Methods

Dr. Thaddeus Gourd, Extension Agent (Agriculture), CSU Cooperative Extension in Adams County, Brighton, CO tgourd@co.adams.co.us

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Utilizing The Atarus Stinger Steamer to Control Weeds in Plastic Culture Organic

Strawberries

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3

Atarus Stinger Weed Control Device Specifications

• Uses propane as a fuel source. Tank holds 75 gallons.

• At 1 gallon of water per minute dry steam produced at 800° F at 75 psi.

• Holds 211 gallons of water.

• Has safety sensors.• Cost: $15,000 for a two

generator system.• $25,000 for new system.

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Water Quality and Quantity

• Water flow rate per minute– 0.74 gallons per minute to– 2.1 gallons per minute

• One Gallon per minute was the most efficacious cost effective flow rate (206 gallons per acre)

• Water must be filtered clean– Algae and sand can affect

performance

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5

Speed of Application

• Speed of Application– 0.8 mph– 1.2 mph– 2.4 mph

• Tractor speed depends on size of weeds and ambient air temperature

• Timing frequency depends on weed population and type of weeds

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Effect of Tractor Speed on Weed Control

88 89

75

89 88

70

9689

23

90 91

34

86 88

60

92 8989

0102030405060708090

100

0.8 mph1.2 mph2.4 mph

Per

cent

Con

trol

1 Day After Application (7/26/03)

Purslane Canadathistle

Fieldbindweed

DandelionRedrootpigweed

Hairynightshade

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7

Propane Usage

• Propane usage varied from 10.8 to 11.3 gallons per hour running two steam generators

• Below 50° F the propane flow rate was erratic

• Above 55° F no propane flow problems were observed

• Cost of propane per acre based on 6 foot rows post-directed– 15.3 gallons x $1.44 = $22.03/A

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Two minutes after application of steam on May 29, 2003. Air temperature was 93° and humidity 16% at time of application.

Dandelion Canada thistle

Under High Temperatures, Weed Control Results Are Quick To See

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Weed Control Results

Bindweed was very sensitive to steam treatment.

Canada thistle was more tolerant of the steam treatment.

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Conclusion • The Atarus Stinger Steamer

was very effective on annual broadleaf weeds such as kochia, pigweed, hairy nightshade and purslane.

• Steam gave good control of annual rye, downy brome and bindweed.

• Good activity was seen immediately after treatment of steam on Canada thistle and dandelion; however, rapid re-growth reduced control levels.

• The Atarus Stinger Steamer application efficacy worked best on smaller weeds.

• The hotter the ambient temperature the better the control.

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Conclusion

• The Atarus Stinger Steamer uses approximately 1 gallon of Clean water per minute (Current water tank allows about 2 hours of treatment).

• Uses approximately 11 gallons of propane per hour (Current propane tank allows 6.8 hours of use).

• Generator positioned parallel to beds worked best.

• Cost $66 per acre broadcast per application.

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“The Atarus Stinger uses steam-quenched combustion technology, which provides weed control without chemicals, so it fits especially well into an organic operation where spraying is not an option,” said Ian Johnstone, inventor of this technology, and manager of thermal weeding products with D.J. Batchen Pty. Ltd.

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Effect of the Sioux Weed Blaster Steameron Perennial and Annual Weeds

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Sioux Weed Blaster Steamer Weed Control Device

• Uses 3 gallons of diesel as a fuel source per hour.

• Applies 2 gallons of water per minute which produces 320 degree F saturated steam at 250 psi.

• Holds 125 gallons of water.

• Cost $5000.

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Steam Application Timings

• Steam application was applied on May 4, 2002. Each plot was treated for 30 seconds.

• The second steam application was applied on May 20, 2002. Each plot was treated for 60 seconds.

• Plot size was 4 feet by 5 feet (20 square feet).

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Perennial Weeds at Treatment• Stinging Nettle Urtica dioica

was 3 to 6 inches tall.• Poison Hemlock Conium

maculatum was 3 to 6 inches in size.

• Steamed plants showed a mild wilting effect immediately after application. The wilting symptoms disappeared within 2 hours of application.

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Effect of Two Steam Applications on Stinging Nettle and Poison Hemlock

8.3

18

0 1.74

0

21.7

42

0 0 0 005

1015202530354045

10 DAT of1st

Treatment

16 DAT of1st

Treatment

9 DAT of2nd

Treatment

25 DAT of2nd

Treatment

NettleHemlockUntreatedP

erce

nt I

njur

y

18

0 0 0 2

68

87 90

6372

96

70

50

0 0 0 00

102030405060708090

100

2nd Steam Mechanical Flame Untreated

KochiaLambsquarterRyeAlfalfaP

erce

nt I

njur

y

16 Days After the Second Application (5/20/02)

Effect of Two Treatment Applications on Weeds in a Peach Orchard

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Conclusion • The Sioux Weed Blaster Steam

treatments gave little to no control of Stinging Nettle following the two steam applications.

• Steam treatments gave slight control (42% injury) of Poison Hemlock 9 days after the second application but no control by 25 days after treatment.

• Cost $218 per acre per application (3 gallons of diesel per hour) at $2 per gallon.

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Conclusion •The Sioux Weed Blaster Steam treatments gave little to no control (less than 10%) of kochia, lambsquarters, annual rye and alfalfa following the application of steam on three different occasions. •The final assessment 25 days after the third steam application, showed little control of any of the weeds tested in this study.

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Weed Control Using the Atarus Ranger Propane Flamer

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Atarus Ranger Thermal Weed Control Device

• Uses propane as a fuel source.

• Weighs about 40 pounds.

• Provides about 45 minutes of use per 6.6 lb tank of propane when used at high flame setting.

• Cost $995.

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Instant Results

• Flame is applied to sear the kochia.

• Kochia changes color to a light yellow green just after treatment with flame.

TreatedWith Flame

Untreated

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Instant Results

• Flame is applied to sear the Stinging Nettle & Poison Hemlock.

• Stinging Nettle and Hemlock changes color to a light yellow green just after treatment with flame.Treated

With FlameUntreated

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Effect of Two Flame Applications on Kochia in a Non-Cropland Environment

093.0%68 DAT of 2nd Application

093.75%52 DAT of 2nd Application

43 DAT of 2nd Application

27 DAT of 2nd Application

17 DAT of 2nd Application

13 DAT of 2nd Application

7 DAT of 2nd Application

5 DAT of 2nd Application

8 DAT of 1st Application

2 DAT of 1st Application

Days After Treatment

098%

098.5%

098.0%

099.5%

098.75%

095.75%

093.25%

092.5%

Untreated% Control

Flame Application% Control

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Effect of Four Flame Applications on Stinging Nettle & Poison Hemlock

4350

0

78 80

0

88100

85

97 100 989410085

0102030405060708090

100

2 DAT1st

Flame

5 DAT2nd

Flame

9 DAT3rd

Flame

9 DAT4th

Flame

25 DAT4th

Flame

Stinging NettlePoison HemlockScouringrush

Per

cent

Con

trol

14

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Conclusion • Flaming weeds using the

Atarus Ranger effectively controlled the annual weed kochia for 68 days following the second flame application.

• When used to sear weeds, little if any smoke was produced.

• Open flame can be a concern.

• Cost $181 per acre per application.

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Conclusion

• Four applications from the Atarus Ranger flamer gave good to excellent control of stinging nettle, poison hemlock and scouringrush for 25 days following the fourth flame application.

• When used to sear weeds, little if any smoke was produced.

• The Atarus Ranger Thermal Weed Control Device was very effective in flaming weeds in a non-cropland environment.

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Red Dragon TD-12 LPS Alfalfa Field Flamer Weed Control Device

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Red Dragon TD-12 LPS Alfalfa Field Flamer Weed Control Device

• Uses propane as a fuel source.

• Designed to easily skid behind tank trailer.

• Uses 20 to 35 gallons of propane per acre depending on ground speed.

• Cost $1800.

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Field Flamer Used to Control Annual Weeds in Cilantro

Flamed prior to crop emergence

Untreated

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Canada Thistle Shows Injury Seconds After Flame Application

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Effect of Multiple Applications of Flaming on Canada Thistle Biomass

4.412

7.5

34.9

5

47.2

4.9

45.6

7.1

62.6

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

6/7/2004 6/28/2004 7/6/2004 7/16/2004

Above Ground Biomass in Grams Per Plant

FlamingCheck

Flame Applications occurred on 6/4/04, 6/14/04, 7/1/04, 7/13/04 and 8/2/04

8/4/20043 DAT of 1st Flame 14 DAT of 2nd Flame 5 DAT of 3rd Flame 3 DAT of 4th Flame 2 DAT of 5th Flame

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Effect of Multiple Applications of Flaming on Canada Thistle Biomass

3.86

8.59

0

2

4

6

8

10

6/7/04 5 DAT of 5th Application

Root Biomass in Grams Per Plant

FlamingCheck

Flame Applications occurred on 6/4/04, 6/14/04, 7/1/04, 7/13/04 and 8/2/04

b

a

18

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Conclusion

• The Red Dragon Alfalfa Field Flamer effectively controls annual weeds such as kochia, puncturevine, pigweed and nightshade.

• Canada thistle foliage (aboveground biomass) was reduced by 89% and root biomass was reduced by 55% after five applications.

• Cost $50 per acre per application.

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Machine Cost Comparison

15000

5000

995 1800

02000400060008000

10000120001400016000

AtarusStinger

SiouxWeed

Blaster

AtarusRangerFlamer

RedDragonFlamer

Cost/Unit

19

37

8066

5

218

90

181

88

50

0

50

100

150

200

250

AtarusStinger

SiouxWeed

Blaster

AtarusRangerFlamer

RedDragonFlamer

Perenial BiomassReductionCost per Acre perApplication

Efficacy versus Operating Cost/A

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Comparison of Acetic Acid Based Products

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Acetic Acid Based Products Retail Costs

• Alldown –$20/gal • Burnout – $39.95/gal• Vinegar - $2.50/gal

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Biomass Research Tools

21

41

18.219.4

34.1

63.6

42.647.7 46.5

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

20 Gallons 100 Gallons

AlldownBurnoutVinegarFlame

Perc

ent B

iom

ass

Red

uctio

n

Efficacy of One Application of Acetic Acid Based Herbicides and Flame for Canada Thistle Management

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Multiple Acetic Acid Applications

• Applications of Acetic Acid Products Made on:– April 28, 2004 – 120 gals/acre– May 4, 2004 – 120 gals/acre– May 11, 2004 – 173 gals/acre– May 21, 2004 – 173 gals/acre

• Total Product Applied 585 gallons• 3 Replicates• Steam was applied on April 28, May 4 and May 1

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43

Alldown

44

Burnout

23

45

Vinegar

46

Steam

24

47

Untreated Check

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Steam Vinegar

Burnout Alldown

Untreated

25

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Effect of Four Applications of Acetic Acid Based Herbicides and Steam on Canada Thistle Biomass

657095

44

231

11074

143

66

241

4867

8765

270

53 38

166

68

362

050

100150200250300350400

7 DAT (3rd) 10 DAT(3rd)

3 DAT (4th)

7 DAT (4th)

Biomass in grams (5 plants)

AlldownBurnoutVinegarSteamUntreated

Applications occurred on 4/28/04, 5/4/04, 5/11/04, 5/21/04. Acetic acid based products total application 585 gallons.

Treatments

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Percent Biomass Reduction

72

54

8287

70 7075

90

59

41

68

54

81 7676

81

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

Alldown Burnout Vinegar Steam

5/18/20045/21/20045/24/20045/28/2004

Assessment Dates

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Effect of Four Applications of Acetic Acid Based Herbicides and Steam on Soil pH In A Clay Loam Soil

7.24

7.167.16

7.07

7.11

7.24

7.11

7.23

7.057.02

7.1

7.177.21

7.11

6.94

6.756.8

6.856.9

6.957

7.057.1

7.157.2

7.25

1 inch 2 inch 3 inch

Average pH at One, Two and Three Inch Depths

AlldownBurnoutVinegarSteamUntreated

Applications occurred on 4/28/04, 5/4/04, 5/11/04, 5/21/04. Acetic acid based products total application 585 gallons.

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Cost of One Application of Acetic Acid Based Herbicides and Steam for Canada Thistle Management

$1,500

$2,996

$188 $66 0

$0

$500

$1,000

$1,500

$2,000

$2,500

$3,000

75 Gallons of Product per Acre Cost

AlldownBurnoutVinegarSteamUntreated

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Conclusion

• Acetic Acid based Alldown and Burnout: Canada thistle foliage (aboveground biomass) was reduced by an average of over 87% after five applications.

• Vinegar reduced foliage biomass by an average of 54% after five applications.

• Acid based products are corrosive on metal sprayer parts.

• Cost ranges from $188 for vinegar to $2996 per acre for each application of Burnout.

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Any Questions?