Destroying Meadows and Cover Crops - Scalper
This technique consists of making one or several passes with a tine cultivator called “scalping” to destroy a meadow or a cover crop during the intercropping period.
Presentation
Characterization of the technique
Description of the technique:
The scalper has “fin” tines, that is to say wide tines working at ~ 5-8 cm depth to cut the plants (separating roots / aerial parts) and thus deprive the plant of its reserves and the possibility to regrow. These tools work by direct destruction and exhaustion.
Details on the technique:
It is advisable to work on a dry soil to avoid any risk of “smoothing” or compaction in the working area of the tine cultivator. If the cover crop is well developed, it is necessary to mow before the scalping operation. Otherwise, it may clog between the scalper’s tines.
Application of the technique to...
Implementation period During the intercropping period
Spatial scale of implementation Plot
All crops: Easily generalizable
All soil types: Generalization sometimes delicate, interventions carried out on dry soils. The presence of stones can hinder the use of this type of tine cultivator.
All climatic contexts: Easily generalizable
Effects on the sustainability of the cropping system
"Environmental" criteria
Effect on air quality: Decreasing
Pesticide emissions: DECREASE.
GHG emissions: INCREASE
Effect on water quality: Increasing
Pesticides: DECREASE
Effect on fossil resource consumption: Increasing. Increase in fuel, hence increased GHG emissions, but helps limit the use of herbicides.
"Economic" criteria
Operational costs: Decreasing
Mechanization costs: Increasing
Inexpensive intervention but requiring the acquisition of this type of equipment (implies an investment)
"Social" criteria
Working time: Increasing===
Favored or disadvantaged organisms
Disfavored bioagressors
| Organism | Impact of the technique | Type | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| weeds | weeds | ||
| vole | HIGH | pest, predator or parasite | |
| slug | HIGH | pest, predator or parasite | |
| wood mouse | HIGH | pest, predator or parasite | |
| wireworm | HIGH | pest, predator or parasite |
Disfavored auxiliaries
| Organism | Impact of the technique | Type | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Earthworm | LOW | Soil functional organisms |
For more information
- Destruction of meadow without using glyphosate - Chamber of Agriculture of Brittany and FDCUMA Côtes-d’Armor, TERRA, Press article, 2018
Appendices
Contribue à
Défavorise les bioagresseurs suivants
Défavorise les auxiliaires
