Key Takeaways
- WSSA publishes study showing electric weed control performs comparably to herbicides
- Research conducted in Western Australian vineyards using Zasso™ XPower technology
- Electric weed control poses minimal environmental risks but carries higher fire risk in dry conditions
- Study finds no damage to grapevines during springtime trials
- Researchers recommend limiting electric weed control to winter/spring seasons in Mediterranean climates
WSSA Reports Comparable Performance of Electric and Chemical Weed Control
A new peer-reviewed article in the journal Weed Science presents evidence that electric weed control methods offer comparable weed suppression to traditional herbicide and mechanical practices. The study was led by Dr. Catherine Borger and Miranda Slaven of the Western Australia Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, who tested the technology in vineyards near Yallingup during the 2022 and 2023 growing seasons.
The electric control system used in the trials—Zasso™ XPower—relies on high-voltage electricity delivered via a tractor-mounted applicator to eliminate weeds. The results showed no reduction in efficacy compared to existing chemical and mechanical methods, while also demonstrating safety to the grapevines themselves.
WSSA Study Details Methodology and Findings
Using a 36 kW XPower unit with dual XPS applicators, the researchers applied electrical currents to weeds during spring trials. This is the first known study to evaluate electric weed control in vineyards during spring and directly compare its effectiveness with other approaches.
“We show for the first time that electric weed control in viticulture has comparable efficiency to that achieved by herbicides,” said Dr. Borger. “Further, there was no evidence of damage to the vines.”
In addition to performance, the study explored the broader environmental profile of the technology. Electric weed control leaves no chemical residue and avoids concerns such as herbicide drift, post-application rain sensitivity, and chemical resistance development.
WSSA Highlights Fire Risk Considerations
While noting several environmental and operational benefits, the WSSA article also identifies a potential disadvantage: increased fire hazard in dry conditions due to heat generation during application. However, the researchers emphasized that no fires occurred during their springtime trials.
“It is the recommendation of this study that electric weed control is suitable for use in winter/spring weed management within the Mediterranean climate but not for control of summer or autumn weeds,” said Borger.
Implications for Organic and Resistance-Prone Growers
According to the WSSA article, electric weed control may be especially useful for organic producers or those facing herbicide-resistant weed populations. Although the method has limitations—including slower application speeds and higher fuel consumption—its compatibility with sustainable agriculture practices positions it as a viable alternative in targeted settings.
The publication underscores the growing interest in non-chemical weed management strategies and contributes data to support informed decision-making in viticulture and beyond.
Read the complete paper here.
