Alternative Weed Management Techniques for Greenhouse and Nursery Production

Abstract

Greenhouse and nursery producers in New York have highlighted weed management as a priority area for research and education. In response, we demonstrated the effectiveness of two alternative weed control practices – parboiled rice hull mulch and solarization. The rice hulls very effectively suppressed weed establishment if applied in a layer 0.75” thick, which is a result that growers can use to inform their management. Likewise, we demonstrated that solarization, even in non-ideal conditions, can achieve temperatures high enough to kill weed seeds, which growers commented would be helpful prior to planting.