Mechanical weed control in organic fruit growing: Thread mowers (BIOFRUITNET Practice Abstract)

Summary in the original language of the document

Large weeds are also removed from the entire tree strip. The soil-conserving tillage prevents erosion and nitrogen release.
Practical recommendations
• Vertically rotating plastic filaments (PU) cut the above-ground plant parts in the tree strip.
• Different thread thicknesses and shapes are available. Use the advice of your agricultural advisor to select the best choice for your farm.
• The threads wear out through use and must be retightened manually. Abrasion is highly dependent on the soil type, soil wetness, and the "sharpness" of the treatment. Avoid using the thread mower in very dry soil conditions to minimize thread wear.
• If you work in a combination strategy with other devices, use the thread mower mainly in summer (approx. from July).
• In young plants, the weed pressure on good soils is usually too high for the sole use of the thread mower device to be sufficient (water/nutrient competition). Older plants (>7th standing year) might also be treated with the thread mower all year round if necessary, this is dependent on varieties present in the orchard, soil type, weed pressure, etc.