Effectiveness of the Rotary Hoe for Weed Control in Soybeans¹

Abstract

Synopsis Rotary hoeing performed when weeds were germinating but not emerged, and repeated once or twice at approximately 5‐day intervals, reduced weed infestations 70 to 80% and soybean stands about 10% in solid‐seeded and row‐planted soybeans. Bean yields were only slightly less than those from weed‐free plantings. When hoeing was delayed until weeds had emerged, both weed control and bean yield were impaired 50%. Wet soil conditions before or after hoeing reduced its effectiveness.

Evaluation of Weed Control Strategies in Organic Soybean Production

“…Organic production requires a complex management system. Various weed control methods can be used including mechanical cultivation (3,6,7); flame weeding and crop rotations (4); companion crops (9); cover crops (1,5,11); and other cultural, mechanical, and biological methods. However, replicated research on mechanical weed control effectiveness in certified organic production systems is limited.…”

Integrated pest management and weed management in the United States and Canada

“…The rotary hoe has long been known as an effective weed management tool . Multiple rotary hoeing alone and when combined with flame cultivation was reported to be effective for weed management in organic vegetable production .…”

Pesticides

“…Some investigations have shown that mechanical control costs about the same as herbicidal weed control, for corn and other crops (F.W. Slife, University of Illinois, personal communication, 1972;Lovely et al, 1958;Drew and van Arsdall, 1966;Armstrong et al, 1968;Buchholtz and Doersch, 1968;Mo1berg and Hay, 1968;Spurgeon and Cooke, 1971;Cooke, 1975). In general, however, mechanical and cultural weed controls cost more than herbicidal controls.…”