Integrated Weed Seed Impact Mills for Southeast Asian Rice Systems: Could They Aid Sustainable Weed Management?

Weed management is a persistent challenge in Southeast Asian rice production, particularly in direct-seeded rice (DSR), due to the diversity of weed species and variable field and environmental conditions that can compromise weed control, necessitating innovative solutions. An integrated weed seed i...

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Main Authors: Leigh Vial, Jhoana Opeña, Jaquie Mitchell
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Agronomy
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/15/6/1333
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author Leigh Vial
Jhoana Opeña
Jaquie Mitchell
author_facet Leigh Vial
Jhoana Opeña
Jaquie Mitchell
author_sort Leigh Vial
collection DOAJ
description Weed management is a persistent challenge in Southeast Asian rice production, particularly in direct-seeded rice (DSR), due to the diversity of weed species and variable field and environmental conditions that can compromise weed control, necessitating innovative solutions. An integrated weed seed impact mill (iWSIM) reduces weed seed banks by destroying weed seeds during the harvest process. This mixed study is the first to fully explore the applicability of iWSIM technology in Southeast Asian rice systems, focusing on both combine harvester and iWSIM specifications and operation, determinants of efficacy, and field and harvest conditions. Weed seed bank reduction with an iWSIM depends on several factors, including weed seed retention and subsequent capture by the combine at harvest, weed seed separation into the chaff fraction, and the iWSIM’s efficacy against weed seeds captured in the chaff fraction. Observations from Southeast Asia indicate variable seed retention among key weed species, presenting challenges for harvesting strategies and iWSIM effectiveness. To optimize the iWSIM efficacy, recommendations include larger fields to reduce the weed seed produced on bunds, achieving complete early-season weed control, lowering the harvest header height to about 15 cm to capture more weed seeds, cleaning mechanism adjustments to ensure weed seeds are retained in the chaff fraction, and greater combine harvester engine power to allow a lower header height and power the iWSIM. The estimated weed control benefits of the iWSIM should also be weighed against additional equipment operating costs. iWSIM technology holds promise as part of a sustainable solution for weed control in Southeast Asian rice, contingent upon further region-specific research and adaptation.
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spelling doaj-art-7c05bf80c0394475b094973cdfd97aa02025-08-20T03:24:29ZengMDPI AGAgronomy2073-43952025-05-01156133310.3390/agronomy15061333Integrated Weed Seed Impact Mills for Southeast Asian Rice Systems: Could They Aid Sustainable Weed Management?Leigh Vial0Jhoana Opeña1Jaquie Mitchell2Research Institute for Environment and Livelihoods, Charles Darwin University, Ellengowan Dr, Casuarina, NT 0810, AustraliaSchool of Agriculture and Food Sustainability, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, AustraliaSchool of Agriculture and Food Sustainability, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, AustraliaWeed management is a persistent challenge in Southeast Asian rice production, particularly in direct-seeded rice (DSR), due to the diversity of weed species and variable field and environmental conditions that can compromise weed control, necessitating innovative solutions. An integrated weed seed impact mill (iWSIM) reduces weed seed banks by destroying weed seeds during the harvest process. This mixed study is the first to fully explore the applicability of iWSIM technology in Southeast Asian rice systems, focusing on both combine harvester and iWSIM specifications and operation, determinants of efficacy, and field and harvest conditions. Weed seed bank reduction with an iWSIM depends on several factors, including weed seed retention and subsequent capture by the combine at harvest, weed seed separation into the chaff fraction, and the iWSIM’s efficacy against weed seeds captured in the chaff fraction. Observations from Southeast Asia indicate variable seed retention among key weed species, presenting challenges for harvesting strategies and iWSIM effectiveness. To optimize the iWSIM efficacy, recommendations include larger fields to reduce the weed seed produced on bunds, achieving complete early-season weed control, lowering the harvest header height to about 15 cm to capture more weed seeds, cleaning mechanism adjustments to ensure weed seeds are retained in the chaff fraction, and greater combine harvester engine power to allow a lower header height and power the iWSIM. The estimated weed control benefits of the iWSIM should also be weighed against additional equipment operating costs. iWSIM technology holds promise as part of a sustainable solution for weed control in Southeast Asian rice, contingent upon further region-specific research and adaptation.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/15/6/1333direct-seeded rice (DSR)integrated weed seed impact mill (iWSIM)weed seed retentionweed seed bank reductionchaff separationherbicide and combine harvester
spellingShingle Leigh Vial
Jhoana Opeña
Jaquie Mitchell
Integrated Weed Seed Impact Mills for Southeast Asian Rice Systems: Could They Aid Sustainable Weed Management?
Agronomy
direct-seeded rice (DSR)
integrated weed seed impact mill (iWSIM)
weed seed retention
weed seed bank reduction
chaff separation
herbicide and combine harvester
title Integrated Weed Seed Impact Mills for Southeast Asian Rice Systems: Could They Aid Sustainable Weed Management?
title_full Integrated Weed Seed Impact Mills for Southeast Asian Rice Systems: Could They Aid Sustainable Weed Management?
title_fullStr Integrated Weed Seed Impact Mills for Southeast Asian Rice Systems: Could They Aid Sustainable Weed Management?
title_full_unstemmed Integrated Weed Seed Impact Mills for Southeast Asian Rice Systems: Could They Aid Sustainable Weed Management?
title_short Integrated Weed Seed Impact Mills for Southeast Asian Rice Systems: Could They Aid Sustainable Weed Management?
title_sort integrated weed seed impact mills for southeast asian rice systems could they aid sustainable weed management
topic direct-seeded rice (DSR)
integrated weed seed impact mill (iWSIM)
weed seed retention
weed seed bank reduction
chaff separation
herbicide and combine harvester
url https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/15/6/1333
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AT jhoanaopena integratedweedseedimpactmillsforsoutheastasianricesystemscouldtheyaidsustainableweedmanagement
AT jaquiemitchell integratedweedseedimpactmillsforsoutheastasianricesystemscouldtheyaidsustainableweedmanagement