3.2. Crop yield and marketability
Abrasive-weeding with three of the four tested grits increased
total fruit yield in tomato by 43e44% compared with the weedy
control (Tables 3 and 4). The response was similar in pepper
(27e33% total yield increase from grit application; Table 4), but the
effect of grit type was only approaching significance (Table 3).
Trends for marketable yield of tomato and pepper were similar to
total yield, but the effect of grit type was not significant (Tables 3
and 4). Application frequency had no effect on total or marketable
yield of tomato or pepper (Table 3). Overall, results suggest
that only one application of most abrasive grit types can increase
total fruit yield by up to 44%. Yield benefits are similar to those
reported by Forcella (2012), where abrasive-weeding increased
maize yield by up to 26% compared with the weedy control. Similarly,
yield was not different between the treated plots and the
hand-weeded control, which suggests abrasive-weeding can
eliminate weed-induced yield loss without deleterious effects on
crop yield potential (Forcella, 2012). In contrast, crop injury associated
with other physical weed management tactics like flameweeding
may contribute to yield loss in organic cropping systems
(Ulloa et al., 2010a, 2010b). However, crop-specific comparisons of
flame-weeding, abrasive-weeding, and other non-chemical weed
control methods is still needed to determine the relative effects of
each approach on weed suppression and crop health and yield in
organic vegetable crops. Abrasive-weeding may have additional
appeal to organic growers if the grit applied (e.g., soybean meal)
can supplement crop nutrition.
3.2. Crop yield and marketabilityAbrasive-weeding with three of the four tested grits increasedtotal fruit yield in tomato by 43e44% compared with the weedycontrol (Tables 3 and 4). The response was similar in pepper(27e33% total yield increase from grit application; Table 4), but theeffect of grit type was only approaching significance (Table 3).Trends for marketable yield of tomato and pepper were similar tototal yield, but the effect of grit type was not significant (Tables 3and 4). Application frequency had no effect on total or marketableyield of tomato or pepper (Table 3). Overall, results suggestthat only one application of most abrasive grit types can increasetotal fruit yield by up to 44%. Yield benefits are similar to thosereported by Forcella (2012), where abrasive-weeding increasedmaize yield by up to 26% compared with the weedy control. Similarly,yield was not different between the treated plots and thehand-weeded control, which suggests abrasive-weeding caneliminate weed-induced yield loss without deleterious effects oncrop yield potential (Forcella, 2012). In contrast, crop injury associatedwith other physical weed management tactics like flameweedingmay contribute to yield loss in organic cropping systems(Ulloa et al., 2010a, 2010b). However, crop-specific comparisons offlame-weeding, abrasive-weeding, and other non-chemical weedcontrol methods is still needed to determine the relative effects ofeach approach on weed suppression and crop health and yield inorganic vegetable crops. Abrasive-weeding may have additionalappeal to organic growers if the grit applied (e.g., soybean meal)can supplement crop nutrition.
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