Fighting weeds without herbicides: mechanics back in the fields

The PLANO shallow cultivator from the Austrian manufacturer Pöttinger welcomes the new season in a technically updated version.

PLANO can perform several functions in one pass. It is designed for mechanical weed control, soil erosion protection, seedbed preparation, intercropping and medium-depth cultivation up to 15 cm.

This tool concept is in line with current trends. Many farms are striving to reduce the number of journeys and fuel consumption. Each additional field trip can increase costs by €5–10 per hectare. Shallow tillage is carried out at a depth of 3–10 cm. It reduces fuel consumption by up to 30–50% compared to conventional ploughing. Ploughing is usually carried out at a depth of 20–25 cm.

One of the most important upgrades – new heavy-duty working parts that can replace the rear roller. These are arranged in three rows and are designed to distribute crop residues evenly, leaving a loose, uncompacted soil structure. This way, weeds are not only cut. They are reliably spread on the surface and dry out.

This solution is particularly effective when working with clover grasses or other intercrops. The quick-change system allows the harrow module to be changed to the rear roller in minutes. The hydraulic adjustment allows precise setting of the working intensity. In the event of blockages, the operator can hydraulically swivel the harrow from the cab, even when driving.

Another new solution – a spiral spring tine system for light to medium soils and seedbed preparation. The spring-loaded, vibrating motion allows to reach finer soil textures and to form a better seedbed. This improves germination by 5–10%.

PLANO also has a crawler shaker for shaking out compacted areas on tractor wheels. This allows the soil structure to be restored where it has been damaged, without changing the overall working depth of the machine. This technology avoids excessive soil movement. It also reduces moisture loss. Shallow ploughing can reduce this by as much as 20–30% compared to deep ploughing.

PLANO's design features a six-beam frame and 37 densely spaced tines, allowing the soil to be worked evenly over the entire working width. This dense arrangement of the working elements ensures complete surface treatment. This is particularly important for chemical-free weed control. Mechanical tillage at a depth of 3–5 cm immediately after harvesting can kill up to 70–80% of the germinated weeds, while re-tillage after 10–14 days increases this figure to 90%.

Consistent tillage is also becoming increasingly important thanks to the principles of integrated crop protection. With the EU's strategy to reduce pesticide use by around 50% by 2030, mechanical means are becoming more important. Such implements reduce the need for herbicides, while reducing soil erosion and improving soil organic matter balance.