Accompanying growth regulation

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In forestry, measures of cultural maintenance are referred to as accompanying growth regulation , in which the undesired accompanying growth (the accompanying flora) is eliminated or pushed back.

Procedure for accompanying growth regulation

Only if the accompanying growth seriously endangers the forest plants over a larger area does it have to be pushed back. Options for this are:

biological Sowing crops
mechanically Tillage, free cutting
chemically Application of herbicides

Biological accompanying growth regulation

The biological accompanying growth regulation is possible on mechanically tilled open areas. Soil-improving agricultural crops are sown, which do not dam forest plants. They are supposed to prevent unwanted plants from germinating and growing. The soil is tilled with hoeing machines and cultivators. These are mounted on narrow-gauge tractors. The method is used in crops and seeds on open areas where soil cultivation has already taken place.

Mechanical accompanying growth regulation

This ranges from the simple manual process to tow-driven devices:

  • Sickle and scythe
  • Swedish draw knife
  • Heppe
  • Brush cutter
  • Motor mower with front bar mower
  • Mulching device on the two-wheel tractor
  • Attachable mulcher on an agricultural tractor

Handwork

The manual work with sickles is only carried out in exceptional cases because of the high costs. This may be necessary when grass-overgrown crops need to be mowed. They are guided with one hand, the other remains free to feel for, search for and put down the crop. Because of the stooped working position, sickles are ergonomically unfavorable. Scythes and long-handled sickles, on the other hand, allow an upright posture; therefore they are preferable.

Scythes with blade lengths over 50 cm are only suitable for flat mowing. If there is heavy blackberry growth, cutting free with sickles and scythes is very difficult. This is where the long-handled lamb is used. In some places the blackberry is pulled out with tough leather gloves to prevent it from sprouting again.

Machine work

Motor-driven brushcutters increase the performance 2-4 times compared to pure manual work. The thicket knife or the metal grass cutting blade are suitable as cutting tools. In addition to the splash guard, a support plate must also be attached to ensure sufficient distance from the ground. However, brushcutters put a strain on the machine operator through weight, noise, vibrations and exhaust gases. Problems are caused by soft, matted, dried out and rain-soaked grasses or even strongly developed blackberry tendrils. Motor mowers with front bar mowers and two-wheel tractors with mulchers require clean, unobstructed areas, even row spacing and straight rows.

Add-on mulchers for agricultural tractors or narrow-gauge tractors are available in different working widths. The use of cultivated mulchers on agricultural tractors is possible up to a slope of 40%, but leads to soil compaction , requires further plant spacing and is therefore rarely used.

The cultures can be cut free with different intensities:

  • full surface (surface section)
  • partial area (grass cuttings, cauldrons)

The disadvantages clearly outweigh the surface cut:

  • the soil is exposed and can dry out,
  • Sudden tanning can lead to reduced growth in sensitive plants,
  • deeply cut grasses emerge quickly and vigorously,
  • the habitat for game and small animals is restricted.

In the case of very lush, clear-cut vegetation or strong growth of bracken, the area cut may be appropriate. Therefore, comparison areas should be created that were not or only partially processed. The grass clippings or the cauldron are not only advantageous for reasons of cost, since only the area around the tree is mowed. When scooping out with the brush cutter, you start mowing to the left of the plant, move the cutting tool forwards in a circular motion, then back again and then mow on the right side. Since individual plants are easily cut off here, a cauldron protection should be attached. Larger plants are pushed to the side with the protective tube. Damming soft hardwoods (z. B. aspen ) can be thumb strength to very good eliminated with the Swedish pulling knife.

Chemical growth regulation

The chemical accompanying growth regulation should be avoided if possible. The risks associated with it are relatively high. The handling of pesticides requires special care and a high degree of responsibility. Pesticides can cause considerable hazards and damage if not used in accordance with the instructions:

  • Endangerment of the user;
  • Environmental damage (soil, water, air, food chain);
  • Residues in the plants;
  • Training of resistant pests;
  • Eliminating beneficial insects.

That is why the use of chemical agents is always the last resort in integrated pest management.

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