Thermal weed control in Conservation Agriculture systems

The pursuit of sustainable agriculture has elevated the importance of Conservation Agriculture (CA) systems, which emphasize minimal soil disturbance, permanent soil cover, and maximum biodiversity/crop rotations. Traditional weed control methods, often reliant on chemical herbicides, face increasing scrutiny due to environmental and health concerns. Thermal weed control offers a potential alternative strategy. In this chapter, the various thermal weed control techniques—such as flaming, electrical weed control, hot water or steam treatments, and laser technology— are explored and their efficacy, energy consumption, and impact on soil health and crop safety are evaluated. The findings highlight the effectiveness of thermal methods on young, small weeds and the need for advancements in selective targeting to prevent damage to crops and minimize the risk of fire. The integration of these methods with precision agriculture technologies (such as drones and AI) could revolutionize weed management while adhering to CA principles.