Emerging non-chemical weed control technologies as alternatives or supplements to glyphosate and conventional herbicides. Based on Maxime Barbier’s article (TCS March 2018, translated for Direct Driller Issue 3).
Electrical Weeding — Electroherb / Zasso
Mechanism
- Applies electrical current directly to weeds through metal electrodes
- Systemic action: current travels from leaves through the plant to roots — kills root system, not just top growth
- Similar in systemic principle to glyphosate but physical rather than chemical
Specifications
- Power source: PTO-driven generator on tractor
- Operating speed: 3–5 km/h
- Work rate: approximately 1 ha/hour
- Application: inter-row or broadcast depending on configuration
Status (2018)
- Developed by Zasso (German company)
- Commercial machines expected from 2019
- Price not yet confirmed at time of publication
[Source: dd-issue-03, 2026-04-11]
Microwave Weeding
Mechanism
- Directed microwave energy heats plant tissue and soil surface to 60°C
- Kills weed seeds and plants through thermal destruction
- Also treats soil — reported positive effects on soil biology (selective: kills pathogens, may spare deeper beneficial organisms)
Specifications
- Developed by Graham Brodie (Melbourne, Australia)
- Power: 8 kW unit
- Operating speed: 1 km/h (slow — limits commercial viability at current scale)
- Dual benefit: weed control + soil treatment
Results
- Yield increases of +35% to +92% reported in trials (attributed to combined weed control and soil pathogen reduction)
- Very early stage — speed and energy requirements are current limitations
[Source: dd-issue-03, 2026-04-11]
Bio-Herbicides
Belukha (Pelargonic Acid)
- Active ingredient: pelargonic acid (a fatty acid naturally occurring in plants)
- Contact action only — burns foliage on contact
- Non-systemic: does not kill roots; regrowth likely on perennials
- Cost: approximately €300/ha — significantly more expensive than glyphosate
- Available in some EU markets
Pine Oil (AEF Global, Quebec)
- Essential oil-based herbicide
- Efficacy: up to 100% control on some weed species in trials
- Cost: approximately €600/ha — prohibitively expensive for broad-acre use at current pricing
- Most promising as a spot treatment or for high-value crops
Suppress (Westbridge, USA)
- Active ingredient: fatty acids derived from goat cheese production waste
- Cost: approximately $250/ha (USD)
- US product — not widely available in Europe at time of writing
[Source: dd-issue-03, 2026-04-11]
Comparison with Existing Methods
| Method | Systemic? | Speed | Cost/ha | Readiness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glyphosate | Yes | Fast | ~€10–20 | Standard |
| Roller crimper | N/A (mechanical) | Fast | ~€12 | Proven (see Roller Crimper) |
| Electroherb | Yes | 3–5 km/h | TBC | Near-commercial (2019) |
| Microwave | No (thermal) | 1 km/h | TBC | Experimental |
| Belukha | No (contact) | Fast | ~€300 | Available |
| Pine oil | No (contact) | Fast | ~€600 | Trials |
| Suppress | No (contact) | Fast | ~$250 | US only |
Implications for No-Till
- Electroherb is the most promising near-term alternative — systemic action matches glyphosate’s key advantage
- Bio-herbicides are currently too expensive for field-scale arable use but may have roles in spot treatment or organic systems
- Microwave technology needs significant speed improvement before it is practical for broadacre farming
- No single alternative yet matches glyphosate’s combination of efficacy, speed, and cost
[Source: dd-issue-03, 2026-04-11]
Related Pages
- Glyphosate Alternatives for Cover Crop Termination — Roller crimper and other mechanical methods
- Glyphosate’s Role in Conservation Agriculture — Why glyphosate remains central to CA systems
- Roller Crimper — Mechanical cover crop termination
- Blackgrass Management Under No-Till — Weed management in no-till context