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Research article2002

Effect of drop size, water flow, wetting agent and water temperature on hot-water weed control

Hansson D, Mattsson JE

Abstract

The influence of drop size, water flow, wetting agent and water temperature in hot-water weed control was studied in laboratory and field experiments on the test weed Sinapis alba L. (white mustard). In a laboratory study, three droplet sizes (approx. values 170, 320 and 490 mum) and two water flows (1.2 and 1.71 min(-1) per nozzle) were tested at two energy-dose levels (approx. 455 and 755 U m(-2)). A laboratory study was also done with or without a wetting agent in the hot water. In a field study the test weed was sprayed with hot water at two temperature levels (approx. 100degreesC and 120degreesC). At lower energy doses, there was a significant decrease in fresh weight per plant when the drop size was increased, and the weed-control effect was stronger with the higher water flow than with the lower flow. At higher energy doses there was a significant difference in weed reduction for coarse and medium droplets compared to fine droplets, but not for water flows. The wetting agent increased the effect of hot water by 27% on average. At the same energy-dose level, the reduction in fresh plant weight and plant numbers were generally higher at higher temperature. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved

Published in

Crop Protection
2002, Volume: 21, number: 9, pages: 773-781
Publisher: ELSEVIER SCI LTD