Dock Control. Combining the Best Methods for Successful Control
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Technical guide 2018 | FiBL No. 1718 Dock Control Combining the best methods for successful control Combining preventive and direct control measures The two main dock species broad-leaved dock The strategy presented in this technical guide builds (Rumex obtusifolius) and curly dock (Rumex cris- on measures to prevent the (further) establishment pus L.) are a problem for many organic farms in of dock plants. Depending on the level of dock in- most areas. Although docks are not speci fically an festation, different techniques are recommended ‘organic’ problem, management on organic farms for removing and suppressing established docks. without recourse to herbicides can be particular- Only by dealing with the causes of dock prolifer- ly challenging. To date, there is no ‘magic bullet’ ation can the reproductive cycle be broken and for the solution of the dock problem on organic long-term control be achieved. farms. The most promising approach therefore is a combination of several measures. Dock control strategy 1. Avoid the causes of dock proliferation • Gaps in crops? • Weakened crops? • Spreading of dock seeds? > Pages 4–6 2. Assess the dock density 3. Select appropriate control measures • Control by removal of single Up to 0.25 plants is possible at this level. Dig out, till or kill Reseed gaps dock plants • Check dock proliferation regularly. single dock plants + in the pasture per m2 > Page 7 > Page 8 0.25 to 2 • Measures for single plants only Remove inflorescences Reseed gaps dock plants make sense in combination with + dig out, till or kill the or the entire 2 reseeding and a change of + per m cultivation practices. dock plants area > Page 7 > Page 8 Reseed the More than 2 • Removal of single plants is not Practice full dock entire area dock plants practicable at this level. control cultivation + 2 • The past cultivation and cropping > Page 8 per m practices must be questioned. • A new dock control strategy must Adapt crop be developed. > Page 9 + rotation Permanent pasture + Arable field Permanent pasture Arable field In pastures: Take the proportion of good grasses into account! Suppression of docks necessitates a competitive If the percentage of desirable grasses is below sward. For successful control, the proportion of 40 %, the proportion should – regardless of good grasses in the sward plays a central role. If dock proliferation – be increased by repeated the percentage of valuable grasses is over 40 %, oversowing or reseeding with suitable species. this should be an adequate basis for sward im- If the proportion of good grasses is under provement along with other dock control meas- 15 %, reseeding is necessary – regardless of ures. dock proli feration. 2 Dock control | 2018 | FiBL | ORC The dock’s strengths and weaknesses The problematic nature of the dock plant origi na- Wet fields and soils rich in nitrogen, potassium and tes, in part, in its great ability to re-grow and sup- magnesium are particularly inclined to encourage press other plants after cutting or grazing. This is docks. Thus, docks are an indicator of high nitro- due to the dock’s large storage root with regenera- gen content in the subsoil. On poor, shallow soils, tive buds at the crown. Additionally, docks have docks grow rather poorly. a enormous reproductive potential, thanks to the Dock seeds are dependent on light to germi- number of seeds that can be formed by each plant, nate, so a dense sward will help prevent them get- and which have an early germination capacity and ting established in grassland. robustness. From the 5- to 6-leaf stage onwards, docks can The broad-leaved dock spreads most rapidly no longer be controlled by either grazing or com- in intensively cultivated grassland with excessive petition from the pasture grasses. Soil compaction fertilisation or manuring and over-grazing, but further reduces grass competition and encourages also in under-grazed or poorly managed pasture. docks. Dock fact-sheet Seeds • One plant can produce up to 60,000 seeds per year. • Dock seeds are viable for up to 80 years. Leaves • 16 % of the seeds are viable only 6 days • The large leaf sur- after the first flowering. face makes the dock • 18 days after the first flowering 90 % of a space-robbing the green seeds are viable. plant. • Seeds are carried only a few meters by • The seedlings have a slow juvenile wind. development. • Viable seeds pass through the intestinal • Low sensitivity to cutting. tract of ruminants. In stacked manure • Only the young shoots and some and liquid manure germination capacity of the young leaves are eaten by of dock seeds decreases only very slow ly. cattle. The fully developed leaves • Seeds survive unharmed in hay and are only eaten by goats and sheep straw. be cause of their high content of • Unripe seeds on cut stems can mature oxa lic acid. and sprout while on the ground. Root • The taproot can grow through compacted, waterlogged, oxygen-poor soil down to depths of 2.6 m. From deeper soil levels, where there is little or no competition from other plants, it absorbs nutrients. • The roots are protected from rotting by tannins. • Dock roots have a great re-sprouting ability thanks to reserves. • The taproot has regenerative buds on the root crown, down to a soil depth of 10–12 cm. Dock control | 2018 | FiBL | ORC 3 Identifying the causes of docks spreading For successful dock control, the causes of its spread In arable and grassland farms, the dock often origi- must be identified and eliminated. The causes are nates from the grassland. Through seeds in farm- often found in cultivation practices, manuring or yard manure, it finds its way from the grassland, the crop rotation. Due to the dock’s biology, there or sometimes from field headlands, onto the arable are three main causes for its spread: field. Docks can be introduced into the farm via im- (1) gappy pastures, ported manure, contaminated seeds, grazing ani- (2) weakened fodder plants or advantageous mals, water and machines. growing conditions for the dock, and (3) dock plants spreading their seeds. Gaps in crops How to proceed? Damage by winterkill • Ensure ’fist-high‘ sward when going into winter. or drought • Oversow early in spring or after drought with a grass seed Gaps in pastures due to mixture adjusted to the location (for details see page 8). damages by winterkill or drought are common- places. Too low mowing • Do not cut permanent pasture and grass – clover lower than Mowing too low 6 cm, and lucerne – grass mixtures not lower than 7–8 cm. dama ges the pasture • Sharpen the blades regularly. and reduces its com pe- titiveness. Poaching and machi- • Do not graze pasture during wet periods. nery compaction • Avoid trampling damage around hayracks and water troughs Sward gaps and soil (move them regularly). Immediately reseed and roll in after compaction give docks trampling damage. an opportunity to • Avoid all driving on wet soil, or using overly heavy machinery establish. (axle load of max. 3–5 t, tyre pressure <0.8 bar). • Use twin tyres. Damage by • Trap vermine. wild animals • Harrow and roll meadows and pastures when growth starts. Moles, mice and voles • After grazing, harrow mole heaps and bare patches. can cause major dam- • Encourage birds of prey and other predators. age in some years. • Promote weasels with structural elements such as hedges or cairns. Open soil in • Control docks in arable crops after drilling. arable crops • As dock seedlings do not like competition, undersowing a ley Even small root pieces reseed in a competitive cereal such as oats will reduce estab- of docks can sprout lishment of new docks. again. 4 Dock control | 2018 | FiBL | ORC Weakened crops How to proceed? Over-grazing • Avoid grazing too hard, particularly in early spring when the Damage to the sward soil is wet, otherwise it will allow dock seeds to germinate. and excessive nutrient • Either practice set stocking which creates a dense sward, or ro- levels will encourage tational grazing with a short duration of grazing of 1 to 2 days docks. with rest intervals of 20 to 40 days, according to the season. • Make sure grazing height is at least 5–6 cm for set stocked sheep or 7–8 cm for cattle in early season. • Avoid late autumn mowing which may leave an open sward over winter. • Alternate grazing and cutting to create a dense competitive sward. Under-grazing • Ensure correct stocking rates. Under-grazing leads to • Avoid long periods between grazing or mowing. dead patches of grass • Sheep are more effective than cattle at creating a short dense and an open sward sward which will be less susceptible to weed invasion. susceptible to weed invasion. Over-fertilisation / • Apply mineral fertilisers and manures according to soil analy- in appropriate appli- sis recommendations. cation of manures • Adjust fertility to suit pasture species or crop type. Ensure good Excessive manure, soil fertility to encourage competitive pastures, but avoid ex- particularly slurry will cessive nitrogen which promotes docks and other nutrient-de- suppress the pasture pendent, competitive weeds. plants, leave bare soil • Avoid excessive use of manure and slurry. Low appli cation and encourage docks. rates such as 10–15 tonnes per ha FYM to grassland or 20 m3 per ha slurry are preferable. • Spread manure and slurry evenly. • Apply manure and slurry only in cool, humid weather on a dry, absorbent soil and a short sward, which will encourage pasture growth. • Avoid application to waterlogged soils. Dock control | 2018 | FiBL | ORC 5 Avoiding spreading of dock seeds How to proceed? Seeds spreading in • Cut flowering stalks and gather them as soon as they are visi- the field ble, at the latest before forage or cereal harvest, or mulching.