Ampferkontrolle mittels Heissdampfinjektion

Summary

A control method for broad-leaved dock (Rumex obtusifolius) with hot steam was tested in grasslands in Switzerland. More than 700 plants were treated with a mixture of hot water and steam at a temperature of 120°C and a pressure of 30 bar. The aim was to identify an optimum heating time, so that the plant mortality rate was more than 80 %. The necessary diesel and water consumption for the heating were measured.
The success of the method is strongly related to the soil moisture. The results show, that the intended mortality rate of 80 % at a soil moisture of 30 % can be realized at a calculated heating time of 30 seconds. For this treatment 2.4 litre of water and 0.046 litre of diesel were needed.