How to control weeds in organic pome fruit (BIOFRUITNET Practice Abstract)

Summary in the original language of the document

Using mechanical tillage allows for proper weed management under the row.
Practical recommendation
Potential alternatives for weed management under the tree row:
• Mulching is a technique that involves the use of organic material (e.g., bark, straw, chopped wood) (picture A) and inorganic material (e.g., maize starch film or polyethylene) (picture B) to cover the soil under the tree row. Mice can build nests inside the covers, which is a major disadvantage of this practice.
• Flame weeding is an agronomic practice that uses fire to physically control weeds (picture C). A major advantage of this technique is that it does not damage the soil structure or tree roots. Disadvantages include high energy consumption, high fire risks, and possible damage to leaves, fruit, and microfauna.
• With mechanical tillage, weeds are eliminated and contained using different equipment. Grassing and weed suppression are the main objectives of this technique.
• For a correct control strategy, it is advisable to carry out tamping with a disc plough or power harrow in spring and then carry out several brushing operations during the summer period.
• As part of the DOMINO project, alternatives to weed control through controlled seeding of weed species were investigated. Factors to be considered are height (up to 45 cm), low light and nutrient requirements, high competitiveness against weeds, high attractiveness for beneficial insects, high dissemination capacity (stoloniferous plants) and persistence (perennial plants). Some examples of herbaceous plants that have fulfilled these factors in Northern Italy: Gallium mollugo, Trifolium repens, T. resupinatum, T. repens, Achillea millefolium.