other organic weed strategies. Moreover, despite these recent advances
in physical weed management, organic growers are not
satisfied with the tactics available to them and the level of weed
suppression achieved (Baker and Mohler, 2014).
Abrasive-weeding, or “weed blasting,” is a novel management
tactic where air-propelled abrasive grits are used to physically
abrade and kill weeds emerging within crop rows (Forcella, 2009).
Forcella (2009) first demonstrated that granulated walnut shells
could be used to kill small Chenopodium album L. seedlings. This
initial proof-of-concept has led to rapid development of the technology.
Early field research on abrasive-weeding demonstrated the
possibility for selective post-emergence control of small broadleaf
weed seedlings within maize (Zea mays L.) and soybean (Glycine
max L.) rows using granulated maize cobs as the abrasive grit
(Forcella, 2012, 2013). Most research on abrasive-weeding had been
focused in maize and soybean, but Wortman (2014) recently
demonstrated that air-propelled abrasive grits did not negatively
influence the growth of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) or pepper
(Capsicum annuum L.) in a greenhouse study (Wortman, 2014).
However, the potential for abrasive-weeding in organic vegetable
crops has not been confirmed in field cropping systems.