season, especially if that fertilizer is not incorporated into the soil
via tillage (Gale et al., 2006). Assuming a price of 0.60 $ kg1 of
soybean meal, a grower would spend between 300 and 900 $ ha1
(plastic mulch vs. no mulch, respectively) for the benefits outlined
in this study and any additional undocumented gains in soil
fertility. The economic feasibility of this approach will depend on
crop species, potential yields, existing soil fertility, weed seedbank
abundance, and market potential for the crop. Thus, abrasiveweeding
should be an attractive option for organic growers
because of typically elevated weed seedbank abundance (Wortman
et al., 2010), limited options for weed control and sources of N
fertility, and the potential to recover the cost of grit and application
through price premiums in the organic market.