It can take real grit to control tenacious weeds. Although determination is an important attribute in farmers, Agricultural Research Service agronomist Frank Forcella is counting on grit of another kind in his approach to battling weeds.In collaboration with South Dakota State University (SDSU) researchers, Forcella has devised a tractor-mounted system that uses compressed air to shred small annual weeds, like common lambsquarters, with high-speed particles of grit made from dried corncobs. Ongoing field trials may foretell of the system's potential to help organic growers tackle within-row infestations of weeds that have sprouted around the bases of corn, soybean, and other row crops.
展开▼
