Sosnoskie Lynn M, Bill Kylie, Butler-Jones Aleah, Bouchelle Wesley M, Besançon Thierry E
School of Integrative Plant Sciences - Horticulture Section, Cornell AgriTech, New York State Agricultural Experiment Station, Geneva, NY, USA.
Department of Environmental Science, American University, Washington, DC, USA.
Pest Manag Sci. 2025 Aug;81(8):4922-4936. doi: 10.1002/ps.8912. Epub 2025 Jun 24.
Herbicides are the primary weed management method for processing vegetable growers, but challenges such as limited chemical options, herbicide resistance, crop injury risks, regulatory changes, and shifting consumer preferences are driving interest in nonchemical alternatives like laser weeding. In 2024, three research trials in New Jersey and New York evaluated the effectiveness of laser weeding using a commercial unit and comparing it with pre-emergence- and postemergence-applied herbicides on beet (Beta vulgaris L.), spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.), and pea (Pisum sativum L.).
Across all trials, laser weeding was as effective as or superior to S-metolachlor, bentazon and phenmedipham herbicides applied at label rate in controlling erect annual weeds, including common lambsquarters (Chenopodium album L.) and common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.). However, laser weeding was less effective on purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) and annual grasses in New York because of sequential emergence patterns and protected meristems, respectively. Compared with untreated controls, laser weeding reduced weed cover by ≥45% and density by ≥66%, resulting in ≥97% less weed biomass by the season's end. In addition, crop stunting did not exceed 1% and crop biomass increased by ≥30% when laser weeding replaced herbicide applications.
These findings demonstrate that multiple laser passes can control weeds without damaging crops, leading to higher yields than conventional herbicides. Further research is needed to optimize laser weeding across different environments and weed species, and to evaluate commercial units with increased laser capacity and faster processing speeds. © 2025 The Author(s). Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
除草剂是蔬菜种植者进行杂草管理的主要方法，但诸如化学药剂选择有限、除草剂抗性、作物受损风险、监管变化以及消费者偏好转变等挑战，正促使人们对激光除草等非化学替代方法产生兴趣。2024年，在新泽西州和纽约州进行的三项研究试验评估了使用商用设备进行激光除草的效果，并将其与在甜菜（Beta vulgaris L.）、菠菜（Spinacia oleracea L.）和豌豆（Pisum sativum L.）上使用的苗前和苗后除草剂进行比较。
在所有试验中，激光除草在控制直立一年生杂草方面与按标签剂量施用的异丙甲草胺、灭草松和甜菜安除草剂效果相当或更优，这些杂草包括常见藜（Chenopodium album L.）和普通豚草（Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.）。然而，由于出苗顺序模式和分生组织受保护，激光除草在纽约对马齿苋（Portulaca oleracea L.）和一年生禾本科杂草的效果较差。与未处理的对照相比，激光除草使杂草覆盖度降低了≥45%，密度降低了≥66%，到季节结束时杂草生物量减少了≥97%。此外，当激光除草取代除草剂施用时，作物矮化不超过1%，作物生物量增加了≥30%。
这些研究结果表明，多次激光照射可以控制杂草而不损害作物，从而比传统除草剂获得更高的产量。需要进一步研究以优化不同环境和杂草种类下的激光除草，并评估具有更高激光功率和更快处理速度的商用设备。© 2025作者。由John Wiley & Sons Ltd代表化学工业协会出版的《害虫管理科学》。
