Articles
MECHANICAL AND PHYSICAL CONTROL OF HAZELNUT SUCKERS
Article number
845_63
Pages
407 – 412
Language
English
Abstract
The emission of basal shoots is a characteristic of hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.). Their presence causes problems both to plants and to crop management.
Cultivated trees require many applications, manual or mechanical, to eliminate suckers every year.
De-suckering can be done on herbaceous or lignified suckers.
Different methods can be used ranging from mechanical to physical and chemical ones.
A thermal control management is a recently investigated procedure.
To establish the effectiveness of thermal control techniques, de-suckering tests with steam and flame were performed in a hazelnut orchard, with cv. Tonda Gentile Romana at a 5×5m plant spacing.
A short blast of intense heat was directed on the target, scalding sucker tissues so that, in a few days, vegetation wilted and died.
A small steam generator-applicator machine was used.
Steam flows at approximately 300°C out of the boiler and can be directed through a hand-held outlet pipe, with or without a special application device.
Flaming was carried out with two models of tractor-drawn equipment, the first with handheld torches and the second with a flame-head torch assembly for automatic application.
Parameters for heat contact-time were: 60 s, 30 s for the first three, and 6 s for the automatic flaming.
Steam and flame were compared for de-suckering effectiveness, evaluated after 15 days.
Results suggest that flame is more efficient, especially with handheld torches, steam gave a good result but vapour cooling through rapid condensation may reduce effectiveness.
Flaming is easy to use, has low cost equipment and low fuel consumption.
Steam application has slow speed, big amounts of water and fuel, and expensive equipment, but collective ownership of devices may be an option.
No damage to plants was observed.
Cultivated trees require many applications, manual or mechanical, to eliminate suckers every year.
De-suckering can be done on herbaceous or lignified suckers.
Different methods can be used ranging from mechanical to physical and chemical ones.
A thermal control management is a recently investigated procedure.
To establish the effectiveness of thermal control techniques, de-suckering tests with steam and flame were performed in a hazelnut orchard, with cv. Tonda Gentile Romana at a 5×5m plant spacing.
A short blast of intense heat was directed on the target, scalding sucker tissues so that, in a few days, vegetation wilted and died.
A small steam generator-applicator machine was used.
Steam flows at approximately 300°C out of the boiler and can be directed through a hand-held outlet pipe, with or without a special application device.
Flaming was carried out with two models of tractor-drawn equipment, the first with handheld torches and the second with a flame-head torch assembly for automatic application.
Parameters for heat contact-time were: 60 s, 30 s for the first three, and 6 s for the automatic flaming.
Steam and flame were compared for de-suckering effectiveness, evaluated after 15 days.
Results suggest that flame is more efficient, especially with handheld torches, steam gave a good result but vapour cooling through rapid condensation may reduce effectiveness.
Flaming is easy to use, has low cost equipment and low fuel consumption.
Steam application has slow speed, big amounts of water and fuel, and expensive equipment, but collective ownership of devices may be an option.
No damage to plants was observed.
Publication
Authors
R. Tomasone, G. Colorio, C. Cedrola, M. Pagano
Keywords
basal shoots, desuckering, ‘Tonda Gentile Romana’, steam, flaming
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