Baking Soda Blasts Weeds into Oblivion for Canadian Farmers

Canadian researchers from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) have discovered an innovative method to control weeds using kitchen staples. Dr. Andrew McKenzie-Gopsill, a research scientist at AAFC, conducted a study on abrasive or projectile weed control.

The technique involves using a sandblaster to shoot natural materials like corn cob grit and baking soda at weeds, effectively knocking them back without damaging crops like potatoes. This method is particularly useful for tackling invasive weeds in high-value crops where herbicides are becoming less effective due to resistance.

Initially, the research combined abrasive grits with reduced herbicide rates, but it was found that this approach could actually encourage herbicide resistance, a problem Canadian farmers and weed scientists have been trying to avoid for decades.