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Field Testing of a Biomass-Fueled Flamer for In-Row Weed Control in the Vineyard

Author

Listed:
  • Gianfranco Pergher

    (Department of Agricultural, Food, Environmental and Animal Sciences, University of Udine. Via delle Scienze 208, 33100 Udine, Italy)

  • Rino Gubiani

    (Department of Agricultural, Food, Environmental and Animal Sciences, University of Udine. Via delle Scienze 208, 33100 Udine, Italy)

  • Matia Mainardis

    (Department of Agricultural, Food, Environmental and Animal Sciences, University of Udine. Via delle Scienze 208, 33100 Udine, Italy)

Abstract

Concern about the adverse effects of chemicals on the environment and on human health, and increasing restrictions of herbicide use, have led to a renewed interest in non-chemical weed control, particularly under the row of vineyards. A new, biomass-fueled (wood pellet), flaming prototype (CS Thermos, San Vendemiano, TV) was tested in the vineyard during Spring–Summer 2018, and compared with tillage (disc cultivator, weeder blade, and finger blade) and mowing (in-row, vine-skipping mower). Efficacy (in % of weed biomass removed or killed) and re-growth between two applications (in g dry biomass/m 2 ) were assessed for each treatment at two sampling locations (between the vines, and around the vines). Flaming resulted in greater efficacy of weed removal in comparison to tillage (blade weeder) and mowing, both between the vines (64%–75% versus 44%–68%, and 40%–68%, respectively) and around the vines (56%–78%, 39%–46%, and 37%–48%, respectively). However, five applications of tillage significantly reduced total weed growth until 27 July (by 26%) between vines in comparison to three applications of flaming, while no significant differences were found around vines. Such findings suggest that more frequent applications of flaming may be needed to give average weed control comparable to that of tillage, while improving it close to the vine trunks. Advantages and disadvantages of the prototype versus tillage and mowing, and versus conventional, LPG-fueled flamers are discussed in the paper.

Suggested Citation

  • Gianfranco Pergher & Rino Gubiani & Matia Mainardis, 2019. "Field Testing of a Biomass-Fueled Flamer for In-Row Weed Control in the Vineyard," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 9(10), pages 1-11, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:9:y:2019:i:10:p:210-:d:270319
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Giuseppe Toscano & Vincenzo Alfano & Antonio Scarfone & Luigi Pari, 2018. "Pelleting Vineyard Pruning at Low Cost with a Mobile Technology," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(9), pages 1-17, September.
    2. Pizzi, A. & Foppa Pedretti, E. & Duca, D. & Rossini, G. & Mengarelli, C. & Ilari, A. & Mancini, M. & Toscano, G., 2018. "Emissions of heating appliances fuelled with agropellet produced from vine pruning residues and environmental aspects," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 121(C), pages 513-520.
    3. Sirio Rossano Secondo Cividino & Gianfranco Pergher & Nicola Zucchiatti & Rino Gubiani, 2018. "Agricultural Health and Safety Survey in Friuli Venezia Giulia," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 8(1), pages 1-11, January.
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    1. Marco Grella & Paolo Marucco & Athanasios T. Balafoutis & Paolo Balsari, 2020. "Spray Drift Generated in Vineyard during Under-Row Weed Control and Suckering: Evaluation of Direct and Indirect Drift-Reducing Techniques," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(12), pages 1-26, June.

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