Page 28 - Green knowledge 2024

Photo: Siri Elise Dybdal
Sustainable methods for weed control in cereals
In the SUSWECO project, researchers will develop innovative measures and strategies to
control perennial weeds with minimal use of pesticides, while preserving soil structure and
reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Perennial weeds such as creeping thistle, couch
grass, and wild oat are particularly difficult to con-
trol. In organic cereal farming, these are often con-
trolled through intensive soil cultivation. Conven-
tional farming relies on glyphosate, especially if
ploughing is not used.
“The one-sided use of herbicides can lead to environ-
mental and health problems, as well as the risk of
herbicide resistance in the weeds,” says NIBIO
researcher Dr Therese W. Berge.
“It is also important to reduce the use of intensive
soil cultivation. This can be harmful to soil health,
with risks of erosion, nutrient leaching, and soil
structure damage.”
In the project, researchers will combine cover crops
with a new root cutter from Kverneland Group.
Cover crops can compete with the weeds, cover the
soil in the autumn and winter, and reduce erosion
and nutrient leaching. At the same time, more
carbon is stored in the soil, contributing to improved
soil fertility.
Dr Berge is responsible for the use of drones for
mapping perennial weeds in cereals within
SUSWECO. The goal is to develop new software for
image analysis that also works where cover crops
have been sown.
“Drone mapping will help reduce the use of herbi-
cides, as well as energy and diesel used for mechani-
cal measures, because the actions will only be per-
formed in the areas of the field where there is
actually a weed problem. Drones will not only con-
tribute to more efficient weed control but also mini-
mise the environmental impact of the measures,” she
says.
Purpose: Collaboration: Funding: Contact: Develop innovative measures and strategies that can control perennial weeds with minimal use of
pesticides in cereals.
Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU) (project owner), Inland Norway University of Applied
Sciences, RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, and
Norwegian Agricultural Advisory Service
Research funds for agriculture and the food industry, project partners Kverneland Group Operations
Norway AS, Felleskjøpet Agri, and Myhres Maskinomsetning AS
Research Scientist Therese W. Berge, Division of Biotechnology and Plant Health.
Email: therese.berge@nibio.no | Phone: +47 922 93 927
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