Organic Farming News | Organic Farming – Organic Farming News

weed control

01/17/2019 / By Zoey Sky

Study shows Mexican marigold can be used as a natural herbicide

Chemical herbicides often cause more harm than good, especially since they can pollute farm soil and water sources. These substances can also be harmful to the health of the people who handle them. To address this concern, a team of researchers conducted a study to determine if Mexican marigolds (Tagetes erecta L.) can be used […]

12/21/2018 / By Zoey Sky

Mexican marigold essential oil contains phytotoxic compounds, making it a great natural herbicide

A study published in the journal Industrial Crops and Products reported that essential oils from Tagetes erecta L. (Mexican marigold) can be used to formulate a safer alternative to chemical herbicides. For the study, researchers analyzed the chemical composition of essential oil extracted from T. erecta. Plant-derived substances, especially essential oils, are often considered as a natural alternative to chemical […]

11/13/2018 / By Zoey Sky

Use horticultural vinegar as a natural herbicide

Weeds are a home gardener’s nightmare. There are many ways to eliminate pesky weeds, from old-school hand-pulling to using herbicides, but there is a natural and effective alternative that is worth considering. If you are facing a weed problem in your garden, try using horticultural vinegar as an alternative to store-bought herbicides that may contain toxic […]

10/10/2018 / By RJ Jhonson

The herbicidal activity of 3 species of Baccharis

Bidens pilosa, also known as blackjack, cobbler’s peg, and Spanish needle, among others, is a noxious weed in Africa, North America, Asia, and other parts of the world. In a study published in Allelopathy Journal, researchers tested the natural herbicidal properties of three North American shrubs in genus Baccharis (B. dentata, B. uncinella, and B. […]

10/02/2018 / By Edsel Cook

Want bigger, healthier potatoes? Use straw mulch; it improves soil quality and suppresses weeds

Want to get the most yield and the biggest tubers from your crop of potatoes, protect them from certain pests and weeds, and not use any artificial chemicals? An American study reported that adding straw mulch to the soil around emerging potatoes will result in bigger, healthier tubers. Mulch was also shown to protect the […]

08/27/2018 / By RJ Jhonson

Conservationists looking at fungi to restore native plant populations

More than five million species of fungi have been identified so far, but only about 300 are known to make people sick. Fungi – both the “good” and the “bad” ones – play a vital role in the ecosystem, something that conservationists from Washington State University Tri-Cities (WSU Tri-Cities) are demonstrating through their research. Tanya […]

08/05/2018 / By Zoey Sky

Control weeds naturally with vinegar

If you want to use a natural and non-toxic weed killer in your garden or homestead, try some horticultural vinegar. You can use this kind of vinegar to keep your garden free of weeds. It is effective for weed control and it is also an eco-friendly option that does not include any harmful chemicals. If […]

07/14/2018 / By RJ Jhonson

A great tip for weed control for the organic farmer: Well-timed cultural management makes crops more competitive

Weed management is one of the primary challenges organic farmers face. Research published in the journal Weed Science suggests that taking advantage of the weather, as well as properly timed cultural management could be effective solutions to the problem. The authors of the study, a team from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS), […]

06/09/2018 / By Frances Bloomfield

Symbiotic farming: Using sheep to graze weeds on coffee plantations found to be beneficial economically, agriculturally, and environmentally

Could sheep help solve the weed problem troubling coffee plantations? According to an investigative team from the National Institute of Medical Sciences and Nutrition Salvador Zubirán (INCMNSZ), they most certainly can. So much so that they found the use of sheep to be highly beneficial from economic, agronomic, and environmental viewpoints. To arrive at this […]

06/01/2018 / By Edsel Cook

Experts say that robotic weeders are the “future of weeding” especially for specialty crops

The latest job to be taken over by robots is also one of the oldest and hardest ever invented. Robotic weeders are starting to become a common sight at farms that cultivate specialty crops. Experts claim they are going to be the “future of weeding,” according to an American Society on Agronomy article. University of […]

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