Tag Archive for: Control

Safe Weed Control by name and nature

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Safe Weed Control by name and nature: As awareness of the hazards associated with glyphosate continues to grow across the globe, it is unsurprising that the number of commercial organisations switching to non-herbicidal weed control is on the rise.

Safe Weed Control, based on the outskirts of Auckland in New Zealand, was established to service vegetation clearance for a range of clients including those in environmentally sensitive areas, which they tackle with ease thanks to Foamstream.

Safe Weed Control by name and nature

Safe Weed Control by name and nature

Owner of Safe Weed Control Matt Kirby was first introduced to Foamstream through his father, who was an early adopter of the technology, available from Weedingtech. “I established Safe Weed Control four years ago after spotting a gap in the New Zealand market for clients who don’t want to be using chemical herbicides but aren’t necessarily sizeable enough to invest in their own Foamstream equipment” he explains. “It was the simplicity and effectiveness of the system really appealed to me.”

Foamstream kills unwanted vegetation including weeds, moss and algae using the precise application of hot water insulated by a biodegradable, organic, plant-based foam. Delivered via a range of patented machinery, the retained heat from the water penetrates the plant through the leaves and travels down the root, killing the weeds quickly and safely.

“We have an L12 and M1200 unit which we use on all of our jobs – everything from roads and verges, to boat ramps and retirement villages! The vast majority of our workload is in playgrounds and Foamstream is absolutely ideal for this purpose, preserving the aesthetic of the area with no harmful chemicals which children can potentially ingest.”

As well as killing the plant, Foamstream also sterilises surrounding seeds and spores, reducing future regrowth which results in fewer treatment cycles per year compared to other non-herbicidal methods of weed control such as burning or steam. “We get fantastic results with this system, in all environments – including sensitive areas – and in all weathers, which is another major plus on the Foamstream system.”

Matt continues, “In addition, the technical team at Weedingtech have always gone above and beyond. Despite the time difference, someone will tend to make themselves available and provide patient, knowledgeable and methodical advice when we’ve needed it.”

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Total Approach to leatherjacket control

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Total Approach to leatherjacket control: The new Syngenta Leatherjacket Total Approach Pack will provide turf managers with a comprehensive one-box solution to tackle the damaging pest on turf surfaces. The fully integrated approach will optimise the potential of chemical, biocontrol and cultural measures.

The Leatherjacket Total Approach Pack includes Acelepryn insecticide and Syngenta NemaTrident beneficial nematodes, along with NemaSpreader designed to enhance nematode efficacy. The one-hectare pack also includes a set of Syngenta XC Soil Nozzles to optimise all applications of Acelepryn and NemaTrident.

Total Approach to leatherjacket control

Total Approach to leatherjacket control

Speaking during the industry Leatherjacket Total Approach launch, at the company’s Jealott’s Hill International Research Centre in Berkshire (20-21 July 2023), Syngenta UK & Ireland Business Manager, Sarah Hughes, warned increasing issues of leatherjacket damage is a key challenge for sports turf and amenity turf managers across the UK.

“Leatherjacket larvae pose one of the most severe threats to turf quality on affected sports and amenity surfaces. Not only does their feeding action restrict roots and disrupt surface smoothness, but the foraging of predators for larvae can cause catastrophic damage.

“Now, greenkeepers and agronomists can develop a sustainable ITM strategy that focuses Acelepryn in combination with Syngenta NemaTrident beneficial nematodes on surfaces where they will have the greatest gain, along with a full package of cultural controls and agronomy practices that will best mitigate pest damage on all areas.”

Syngenta Technical Manager, Sean Loakes, highlighted how an integrated strategy of Acelepryn followed by NemaTrident F beneficial nematodes enhances the overall consistency and reliability of leatherjacket control.

Leatherjacket Integrated Turf Management (ITM) research in 2022 – in a relatively high-pressure situation with 100 larvae per m2 in the untreated – showed 89% control from Acelepryn alone, with a 65% reduction in larvae population where just NemaTrident F plus NemaSpreader was used; where the two components were used in sequence the trial resulted in complete larvae control.

The Syngenta recommendation for this integrated approach is for one application of Acelepryn at 0.6 l/ha, followed by NemaTrident F within seven days, at a rate of 2.5 billion nematodes per hectare.

The Total Approach can help turf managers cope with the Acelepryn label limitations on the maximum area that can be treated each year, he added. “For most sports turf, Acelepryn is restricted to a maximum of 10% of the treated surface area. On golf courses, for example, that might cover the most important greens and key areas that have previously attacked, for example.

“For other areas of the course subjected to less pressure or with higher tolerance to limited leatherjacket damage, however, the use of nematodes and a range of cultural controls could offer sufficient leatherjacket control and turf enhancement to effectively manage the pest.

“Key is a better understanding of all the ITM options available, and best matching the strategy to the leatherjacket pressure on any given area,” he advocated.

NemaTrident F is the nematode species Steinernema feltiae, selected specifically contain and transmit a fatal bacteria into infested leatherjackets. It is also a nematode species that is active at soil temperatures above 8⁰C, which makes it particularly suitable for autumn applications in the UK, but must be utilised before soil temperatures fall too far.

“Research in the laboratory confirms that NemaTrident F nematodes can be highly effective in controlling leatherjacket larvae,” reported Sean. “However, they can quickly be adversely affected if conditions are not suitable for their survival and activity in the soil.”

Nematode research has highlighted soil moisture is necessary for nematodes to survive and to move through the surface film to seek out leatherjackets, along with creating conditions where leatherjacket larvae will move and come into contact with more nematodes.

“That can be specifically aided with the use of NemaSpreader, which should always be applied with NemaTrident and has been shown to enhance results by 30%, compared to the nematodes alone,” he reported. Furthermore, wetting agent strategies and irrigation can help to create the optimum conditions for nematodes to perform.

Sean pointed out that other cultural measures that will help the resilience of turf to withstand leatherjacket damage and maintain surface quality includes Primo Maxx II programmes to enhance rooting and plant vigour, wetting agent programmes and ensuring adequate balanced nutrition. Along with potential for biostimulants and other new bioproducts to protect plant health and improve quality. The timing and intensity of aeration practices may also need to be tailored according to pest pressure, he suggested.

However, while these cultural measures can help plants to better withstand leatherjacket activity, it is primarily through the controls of Acelepryn and NemaTrident F that the numbers can be physically reduced.

The introduction of the Leatherjacket Total Approach Pack provides a cost effective and structured strategy for turf surfaces. It provides two modes of action on leatherjacket pests, for a more sustainable long-term solution.

Acelepryn, NemaTrident and NemaSpreader, along with the Leatherjacket Total Approach Pack, are distributed in the UK and Ireland by ICL Ltd: www.icl-growingsolutions.uk Full details and recommendations for its implementation on turf surfaces will be available in time for the autumn control programmes.

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BASF launches Nemaslug 2.0 for improved slug control

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BASF launches Nemaslug 2.0 for improved slug control: Leading pest control solutions manufacturer, BASF, has launched a new and improved version of its hugely popular and effective biological slug control treatment, Nemaslug. Nemaslug 2.0 provides all of the protection and high efficacy rates of the original product, but has additional benefits, too.

The improved product has been produced following the discovery of a new species of nematode – Phasmarhabditis californica. This species of nematode can be packed at much higher concentrations, so the same amount of effective nematodes can be stored in a smaller pack, which has helped BASF to reduce the plastic packaging of its slug control solution by half. More efficient storage as well as fewer containers being needed to transport the product, further reduces the carbon footprint, which aligns with the company’s sustainability goals and its aims to provide a greener option for slug control.

BASF launches Nemaslug 2.0 for improved slug control

BASF launches Nemaslug 2.0 for improved slug control

On top of this, improvements made to production has led to a further reduction of over 20 tonnes of CO2 emissions a year, while the UK-based facility negates the need for carbon-heavy international shipping.

Nematodes occur naturally in the soil and seek out and kill specific target pests. They attack the pest by entering its body and releasing bacteria that quickly and effectively kills it. The nematodes then reproduce inside the dying pest and release a new generation of hungry nematodes, which disperse and search for further prey, protecting the area for up to six weeks.

By tapping into the benefits of this naturally occurring friend of the gardener, soil can remain healthy, while ensuring slugs are conquered and plants protected.

The company is dedicated to investing in research and development to ensure that it is able to provide the highest quality nematodes to gardeners, and is keen to create a product that will appeal to those looking for a greener option for slug control. It is this dedication to research and development that has enabled the discovery of a new species of nematodes to use in its Nemaslug product.

This small but powerful box of fresh nematodes can be delivered directly to a gardeners’ doors throughout the growing season to ensure that slugs can be controlled effectively by harnessing the power of nature.

To find out more about how nematodes work, take a look at this short video – https://youtu.be/JHNG1KSluh0

For further information please visit https://www.nemasysinfo.co.uk/ and follow basf_nemasys_uk on Instagram.

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AS-Motor to demonstrate remote control capabilities

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AS-Motor to demonstrate remote control capabilities: AS-Motor will be demonstrating its high-tech lawn innovations at Demopark 2023, Europe’s largest open-air exhibition for the green sector.

A remote-controlled (RC) fleet – consisting of AS 940 Sherpa 4WD RC mowers – will be on display in the innovation area of the exhibition grounds, working a defined green area fully automatically. AS-Motor will be presenting this special innovation in conjunction with the Fraunhofer Institute for Transportation and Infrastructure Systems (Fraunhofer IVI) and Sensor-Technik Wiedemann GmbH (STW).

AS-Motor to demonstrate remote control capabilities

AS-Motor to demonstrate remote control capabilities

Together, the team will present three professional ride-on RC mowers that work on green areas – even on rough terrain – fully automatically. The demonstration will show how a ‘driver’ operates and monitors the AS 940 Sherpa 4WD RC mowers to not only achieve three times the area output, but also to work more precisely and without fatigue. Depending on the application, the fleet of mowers can be activated directly on site or remotely (for example, from an office).

A key technology in this innovation is the control tower software helyOS® (highly efficient online yard Operating System), which was developed at the Fraunhofer IVI with the aim of efficiently developing, testing and deploying autonomous mobile machines. From small to large projects, helyOS® acts as a central hub for connecting, controlling and monitoring fleets of machines via a local network or the cloud. Trucks and agricultural machinery can already be networked and automatically controlled. Now the digital control tower also delivers missions for professional lawnmowers.

STW provides the on-board technology for control centre integration. Its Linux-based TCG-4 connectivity and data management module is used to network the AS 940 Sherpa 4WD with helyOS® and is also responsible for vehicle automation. The travel orders are received and processed by helyOS® via wireless LAN (WLAN) or long-term evolution (LTE). For this purpose, a track controller determines suitable control signals based on the actual and target position of the AS 940 Sherpa 4WD and transmits them to the mower via the CAN bus.

Come and get an insight into the future! Visit us at the innovation area at Demopark (near the lawn competence tent) from 18 to 20 June in Hörselberg near Eisenach, Germany, or we will be happy to advise you at our stand, E595.

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The science-backed solution to sustainable weed control

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The science-backed solution to sustainable weed control: The decision to reduce or eradicate the use of herbicides may be taken for many reasons, but with a wide range of alternatives available, how can facilities be assured that a non-chemical option is going to provide a viable solution?

To provide confidence, Foamstream has been the subject of numerous independently controlled studies conducted by the University of Pisa, University of Athens and Cornell University, together with The US Department of Natural Resources and the Austrian Institute of Technology – all of which highlight the comparable or superior performance of Foamstream when compared to glyphosate.

The science-backed solution to sustainable weed control

The science-backed solution to sustainable weed control

An ever-increasing body of evidence indicates the substantial negative impact on nature, human beings and the environment caused by the existing level of herbicide use. Factor in that the amount of herbicide-resistant weeds is also on the rise, and green space managers are potentially having to increase the number of spray operations they conduct in any given period. It is therefore not surprising that facilities from all corners of grounds and public space management are seeking safer and more sustainable solutions that can deliver effective weed and vegetation control without detriment to the operator and the environment.

The patented Foamstream process combines hot water and an organically-derived biodegradable foam, delivered through one of Weedingtech’s range of machines. The active ingredient is the hot water, with the foam acting as an ‘insulation blanket’, preventing the heat from escaping and keeping the water in the ‘kill zone’ (temperatures of 57o and above) for longer. The heat penetrates the waxy outer layer of the leaf, travels down the stem and into the roots – killing or severely damaging the plant and causing it to die. In addition to eradicating the plant, Foamstream also sterilises surrounding seeds and spores that haven’t yet germinated, helping to reduce future weed growth.

Since its launch in 2011, numerous high profile individual academic trials have been published citing the efficacy of Foamstream – one of the most recent, in 2022, being the University of Athens study which found that Foamstream reduced weed biomass by a rate between 81% and 96% compared to mulching, mowing, pelargonic acid and the untreated control, and, in-line with glyphosate, resulted in the lowest Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and weed biomass.

Leo de Montaignac, CEO of Weedingtech commented, “We understand that any investment in technology requires credible third-party evidence that shows organisations that they are making the right choice. That’s why we’ve always been keen for independent third parties to trial Foamstream in proper controlled environments. We’re delighted that the team at the Agricultural University of Athens took the time to comprehensively put Foamstream to the test against other methods of weed control and recognised its value. We’d welcome further research by any other interested universities and organisations to carry out further testing of our eco-friendly weed control technology in other settings.”

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