A weed compaction roller system for use with mechanical herbicide application

We designed, constructed, and field-tested a versatile and unique weed compaction roller system that can be used with mechanical herbicide application for invasive weed control in tree plantations, agronomic settings, and areas where localized flora and fauna are in danger of elimination from the landscape. The weed compaction roller system combined with herbicide application generally had greater vegetation control compared with using only herbicide treatments or the unsprayed control. The roller system-herbicide treatment combination showed substantial total vegetation control two growing seasons after application without impacting diameter growth of the crop trees, which supports the need for less frequent entries into the field. The cost of the roller system was approximately $300.00.