Substantiation of promising weed control methods in organic farming

Abstract

Puprose. Determination of promising means of mechanization of weed control, which will allow growing tilled and vegetable crops in the organic farming system without the use of herbicides. Methods. Monographic, analytical, abstract-logical, structural modeling, design and manufacture of alternative technical means for the implementation of effective methods of weed control in the organic farming system. Results. Systematized and analyzed the main methods of weed control in the system of organic farming both in the world and in Ukraine. Alternative methods of weed control are: mechanical (mechanical removal, sprinkling), agrotechnical (mulching, crop rotation), biological, thermal (fire cultivation, hot water irrigation, steam treatment) and electrical (electric pulse, laser). In a separate group, it is necessary to single out precautionary measures that eliminate the possibility of introducing weed seeds to the fields from different sources. These include seed cleaning, proper manure storage, weed control outside the fields, compliance with quarantine measures, etc. Promising means of mechanization for weed control are cultivators with polyurethane finger-star-shaped working bodies for mechanical removal of weeds in the aisles and rows of crops and cultivators with installed equipment for fire cultivation. During fire cultivation, when the temperature of heating the soil does not exceed 70 °C, the proteins in the plant cells of weeds in the stages of “thread” and cotyledons are irreversibly damaged. In the phase of 4–6 leaves, at the same temperature, up to 90 % is destroyed, and in a later phase of development – up to 75 % of weeds. A study was made of the process of weed destruction by polyurethane finger-star-shaped working bodies, depending on the hardness and type of weeds on the experimental site (quinoa, amaranth, mouse), as a result of which from 80 % to 95 % are destroyed. Conclusions. The systematization and analysis of weed control methods in the system of organic farming was carried out, as a result of which the most promising means of mechanization and methods of weed control in vegetable and tilled crops were identified. It has been established that the integrated use of modernized elastic finger-star working bodies and fire cultivation for weed control in protective zones and rows of vegetable and tilled crops is effective. The design of a modern domestic row cultivator “FIGHTER” allows you to mount promising mechanical working bodies for weed control and equipment for fire cultivation. Keywords: weed control, organic farming, systematization of methods, mechanized vegetable cultivation, agrotechnical methods, creation of technical means, fire cultivation, rotary working bodies.