As part of this research project, the strategies, measures and investments necessary for a complete abandonment of glyphosate as well as the associated problems were recorded and replacement strategies were found for all areas of application that could be implemented within the framework of the available personnel capacities and resources.
Project goal
As a result of the HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein's voluntary decision not to use the herbicide glyphosate, a project was launched at the Institute for Plant Production and Cultural Landscapes to show possible alternatives. In plant cultivation experiments, weed and weed control is essential; this can be done chemically, mechanically or physically. The main areas of application for weed control at the HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein are the treatment of the dividing strips between test plots, classic weed control in seed propagation and value tests as well as the preparation of each test area. Not every form of treatment is suitable for every purpose; for example, no mechanical or physical control can be carried out in crops sown using broad seeding. Due to the fact that the alternatives had to be found quickly, a series of tactile tests were carried out but no exact scientific tests were carried out.
Test attempts
The experiments aimed to find out whether methods other than the use of glyphosate achieve the same results and with what work and cost ratio these results can be achieved. The vegetation management department in the Alpine region and the grassland management and cultural landscape department carried out the following test experiments during the project period:
- Individual plant control of grasses in seed propagation
- Individual plant control sorrel
- Comparison of spray agents in grassland stands
- Treatment of the plot separation strips with organic acids
- Mechanical treatment of the plot separating strips
It is possible to avoid using glyphosate in testing and there are alternatives in a wide variety of areas of application. However, what all of these alternatives have in common is that they require significantly more time and money.
Final report