ALTERNATIVE WEED CONTROL METHODS: MECHANICAL, BIOLOGICAL AND

CULTURAL METHOD

KIMBERLY C. ARIT, JOHN CARLO V. FLORES, MEYNARD F. LEONIPA,

HYZANNE JHYSRIE V. LOSETO, CELINE GRACE S. MONTERERO & NINA SALVATUS

Philippine Normal University South Luzon Campus

The Technology and Livelihood Education Hub

ABSTRACT

This study describes the overall investigation of "Alternative Weed Control: Mechanical, Biological and
Cultural Method” proposed by the group. Since unwanted weeds are all over the place particularly in demo-farm.
The researchers conducted an experiment that contains three different setups such as Mechanical (hand weeding),
Biological (rabbits) and Cultural method (mulching) to gather information in controlling weeds and knowing what
would be the accurate solution for this kind of issue. Researchers observed the condition of weeds with the time-
frame of 14 days. The research proves that all methods such as mechanical, biological and cultural are all effective.
However, between mechanical and cultural, the weed occurs first in hand weeding and using a rabbit as a biological
control method gave poor results and complications for it requires more time for the rabbit to eat large amount of
weeds.

KEY WORDS: Hand-weeding, Herbivore, Mulch, Rabbit, Weeds

INTRODUCTION

Weed growth in the demo-farm is rampant because students are not able to control the weed

growth every day. Chemical means will not be reliable or safe for the environment and machinery for

weeding is costly. The researchers will create and objectively compare three methods such mechanical,

biological and cultural. Hand weeding for mechanical method, the introduction of a small herbivore, such

as rabbit for biological control and mulching for cultural method.

The researcher chose mechanical and cultural method because these are the most common way of

reducing weeds compared to biological control. That is the reason why researchers conducted a study

entitled “Alternative Weed Control Methods: Mechanical, Biological and Cultural Method”.
 Hand weeding are removed and collected from crop fields by hand. The collected weeds are piled

on bunds or in case of certain weeds, taken home to feed animals. Manual weeding is a part of integrated

weed management that involves the integrated use of cultural, manual, mechanical and/or chemical

control methods. (Rise Knowledge Bank, 2019)

The pet rabbits of today descended from the European rabbit, Oryctolagus cuniculus. The

American Rabbit Breeders Association recognizes 49 rabbit breeds. The British Rabbit Council

recognizes even more. This makes for quite a range of sizes, colors, shapes, and fur types of rabbits. Most

all bunnies are mammals with fur and a tail. They move on four legs with a hopping gait, and they can

“stand up” by raising their front legs and sitting on their haunches. Rabbits range in size from 2.5 pounds

to 16 or more pounds for giant breeds. Fur can be normal shorthair, woolly, rex, satin, or a mix. Their ears

are upright; except for lop breeds whose ears hang down. Some bunny breeds have extremely long ears,

such as the English Lop, while others have small, upright ears, such as the Netherland Dwarf. Bunnies are

not just brown, white, or black. Some breeds come in more than 20 different colors! Numerous patterns

add to the variety. Eye color also varies and includes brown, blue, ruby, and blue-gray iris colors.

(Lafeber Company, 2018)

Mulching is a widely-practiced gardening technique that is beneficial for plants when done

properly. It is the act of covering the soil with mulches, such as bark, wood chips, leaves, and other

organic material, in order to preserve moisture and improve the condition of the soil. Mulches also control

the germination and growth of weeds and inhibit the spread of soil-borne diseases. These mulches can

also serve as insulation to stabilise the soil temperature and protect the roots from extreme temperatures

during summer or winter. (JK Cooper Tree Services, 2019)

The rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) is chosen be the as an introduced biological component may

be beneficial to an environment built on a biological nature (generally involving plants).

 The researchers used these methods to provide alternative weed control for farmers which will

help them have better yields. By reducing the growth of weed, the plant will get more nutrients and will

grow abundantly.

METHODOLOGY

This chapter presents the procedure and methods on the conduct of the study. It includes the

research design, research locale and data gathering procedure.

Research Design

The descriptive-comparative method of research was used in the study.

The descriptive-comparative design was used to determine the effectivity and comparison of three

methods of reducing weeds such hand weeding for mechanical, rabbit as biological alterative control and

mulching for cultural. This study was administered in order to have the basis for the comparison.

After gathering the data, the descriptive-comparative method of research was utilized in order to

find the significance difference between the three (3) methods. By comparing the results of mechanical,

biological and cultural method of the study, researchers would be able to find out the differences and its

effectivity to reduce the growth of weeds.

The stated methods of research were utilized in order to come up with valid conclusion.

Research Locale

The study was conducted at Sitio Liputihan, Barangay Bocboc, Lopez Quezon. The

research area has a serpentine type of ground and loam type of soil because it was a rice field

before. The researchers found three kinds of vegetation such as wild cane and cogon grass with a

height of 2 feet and camote tops. The sun rises at the Eastern part of the research area.
 1.1 Research Area

During the preparation of research area they used wood as mark to know the boundaries of the

area for mechanical method (hand weeding) and cultural method (mulching). And for the biological

method to see the boundaries they create a man-made fence for the rabbit using wires. The area for

different methods has a 2 by 2 meter and the buffer zone of every area has 6 inches wide.

For mechanical method, hand weeding will be use. It is the process of uprooting the weeds using

small hand tool named dulos (TNUA AGRITECH Portal, 2013). For biological, the researcher proposed

the introduction of rabbits. Rabbits eat an assortment of greens and other types of weeds. Rabbits are

herbivores and opportunistic feeders, this means that they have a plant-based diet and do not eat meat

(Bradfort, 2017). While for cultural method, mulching was chosen. Mulching can suppress annual weeds

and offer other important benefits such as organic matter, nutrients, moisture conservation, soil protection

and moderation of soil temperature. It is putting of hay, straw, banana leaves in the location (Schonbeck,

2012).
Data Gathering Procedure

The researchers will proceed to observation of the weed growth of three controlled area of the

same size of two by two meters (2x2 meters). The experiment will be documented daily for a span of 14

days. The students gather the data every 5:30 PM on week days by observing, recording and documenting

and 1 to 5 PM on weekends.

In mechanical method the researchers used hand tool “itak” during the preparation and hand

pulling to remove the grass. In biological method, the rabbit was used by eating to remove the weeds. The

rabbit serves as an alternative weed control. While in cultural method they used banana leaves for

mulching. The researchers pull out weeds every 3 days in the span of 10 days and stop for 11-14 days for

the observation of which method will have the most number of growths of weeds.

The following were used:

“Sickle” (hand tool) Banana leaves for mulching

Grab Hoe (hand tool) Pick-mattock (hand tool)

 Day Hand Weeding Rabbit Mulching
(Mechanical) (Biological) (Cultural)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14 .

TABLE 1. WEED GROWTH IN A 14 DAYS PERIOD IN DIFFERENT “WEED CONTROL METHOD”

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

For mechanical method (hand weeding) the weeds sprout in day 4 and day 7. The weeds that

occur between Day 1 to Day 10 were subjected to pulling out by the researchers using hand tool or sickle.

In day 11, the some weeds sprouted particularly cogon grass and camote tops and concluded that it was

due to rain in day 10.

According to The Nature Conservancy, Tu et. al (2001) Pulling or uprooting plants can be

effective against some shrubs, tree saplings, and herbaceous and floating weeds. Annuals and tap-rooted

plants are particularly susceptible to control by hand-pulling. Weed wrenches and other tools are

surprisingly powerful and can enable you to control large saplings and shrubs that are too big to be pulled

by hand. It is not as effective against many perennial weeds with deep underground stems and roots that

are often left behind to re-sprout. How To: Minimize soil disturbance by pulling out weeds slowly and

carefully, and replace soil to disturbed areas where possible. Trampled and disturbed areas can provide

optimal germination sites for many weeds. Minimize trampling by limiting the number of people in the

site and the amount of time spent there. Whenever a manual technique is used, it is wise to wear gloves, a
long-sleeved shirt, and long pants. Some plants can cause moderate to severe skin irritation, especially

when their stems and leaves are crushed and broken. Even the flimsiest weeds can leave hands raw and

bleeding after several hours of pulling. The advantages of pulling include its small ecological impact,

minimal damage to neighboring plants, and low (or no) cost for equipment or supplies. Pulling is

extremel labor intensive, however, and is effective only for relatively small areas, even when abundant

volunteer labor is available.

In Biological method from Day 1 to 3 the weeds such as cogon grass, camote tops and wild cane

were present and dry. While on Day 5 to 9 almost quarter of the weeds was still dry because it was

trampled by the rabbit. The population of the weeds was still relatively high because the rabbits eat the

weed sluggishly. Day 11 to Day 13, weed population gradually reduced, almost dry, but lesser than

previous days. On Day 14, the weed population is still comparatively high: however it is visible in the

area that the weeds were significantly lesser than the first day.

According to Fahs, B. (2019) Rabbits can cause extensive damage to lawns and grasses. Not only

do they eat the succulent foliage, they also urinate, causing brown patches that you must repair. In many

parts of the country, homes, schools, roads and businesses now exist where not long ago meadows, forests

and prairies were. With nowhere to go and nothing else to eat, rabbits have invaded many housing

developments. Wild rabbits are hungry creatures that seek out nutritious foods wherever they can find

them. Grass often becomes dinner for these creatures because it is widespread in suburban areas that have

displaced the rabbits' former habitat. It's difficult to build a fence that will keep wild rabbits away from

your lawn because they can jump and dig. A family of rabbits can cause widespread damage to a lawn in

a short period of time.

In cultural method, the researchers used banana leaves for mulching. From Day 1 – Day 10 weeds

are absent. On Day 11, a small number of weeds start to come out namely camote tops and on Day 14

cogon grass grow with the average height of 2.3 inches.

 According to De Souza, A.M. (2000) the materials tested in this experiment (Musa mat, pejibaye,

and citronella), showed real possibilities of being used as mulches. All stimulated plant vegetative growth

significantly reduced weed infestation and provided plant and soil protection. Longevity, productivity,

and premature production were all positively affected by mulches. The materials are readily available in

the organic farm and can contribute to reduce the weeding work. Mulches are important resources for

weed control and soil conservation, especially in the organic farm. Surely, mulching materials can help

organic farming become more viable and sustainable.

The hand weeding/mechanical method proved to be effective in weed control, as expected. The

rabbit/biological method gave somewhat complicated circumstances and poor results compared to the

former two. The latter concluded to have given an unsatisfactory result in a short time-span.

Mulching/cultural method was even more effective, as it prolonged the dormancy of the occurrence of

new weeds to sprout and grow. These concluded by observation; in hand weeding/mechanical method and

mulching/cultural method small weeds started to grow due to rain in Day 10.

While the rabbits eliminated weeds at a slow, gradual pace and introducing its excretions in the

same area. The results of the biological method were also somewhat compromised; the rabbits were fed

by an external source, which was not an intentional part of the experiment The biological control method

may still ‘be on the table’ for future research purposes and trial runs, that could lead to becoming a

legitimate weed control method.

 WEED GROWTH
25

20

15

10

0
DAY 1 DAY 2 DAY 3 DAY 4 DAY 5 DAY 6 DAY 7 DAY 8 DAY 9 DAY 10 DAY 11 DAY 12 DAY 13 DAY 14

Mechanical Biological Cultural

1.1 WEED GROWTH IN A 14 DAYS PERIOD IN DIFFERENT “WEED CONTROL METHOD”

Before applying the mechanical, biological and cultural weed control method, the weeds in the

whole area measures approximately 24 inches. The researchers pull out all the weeds on mechanical weed

area and cultural weed control area. The weeds in the biological method was left untouched because the

rabbit will be the agent used by the researcher in order to control the weed growth in span of 10 days.

Within the span of ten days, there were few weed sprouted in the area of mechanical weed control

and cultural weed control but were pulled out by the researchers. As the 10 days period will cover the

application of the methods. From day 11 to 14, the researcher stopped the application of mechanical,

biological, and cultural weed control method and observed which method will have the least growth of

weeds. After day 14, the average height of weeds in the area for mechanical weed control method was 4.6

inches; while in the biological weed control method has 13 inches and 2.3 inches in the cultural weed

control method.
CONCLUSION

Rabbits as an alternative weed control method are currently not as effective as the conventional

methods like manual weed pulling and mulching for a short period of time. The rabbits, however kept the

soil in its control unit fertile with its excrements, while also benefitting from eating the weeds as its

source of nourishment, making the area somewhat potentially self-sustaining. More time is required for

the biological weed control method to take full effect.

RECOMMENDATION

Based from the findings and conclusions, the following were recommended:

1. The biological control method may still ‘be on the table’ for future research purposes and trial

runs, that could lead to becoming a legitimate weed control method.

2. It was recommended for future researchers to try this attempt for a second trial with a longer

timeframe in order to observe the long-term results of each method. The rabbits could also be

used in other purposes simultaneous to weed control, such as raised for meat, and its excrements

could be used in vermicomposting, among other potential uses.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The researcher would like to express their sincerest gratitude to the following:

Prof. Veverle San Juan, our research adviser for sharing her time, expertise, words of

encouragement, patience and guidance in making this undertaking a reality.

Our parents for giving us support, either morally, financially, and physically, thank you.

Above all, to the Great Almighty, the Authors of knowledge and wisdom, for his countless love.

We thank you.
APPENDICES

Day Hand Weeding Rabbit Mulching

(Mechanical) (Biological) (Cultural)
1 Weeds were absent Weeds were present. Weeds were absent.
2 Weeds were still absent. Weeds were dry. Weeds were still absent.
3 Weeds were still absent. Weeds were dry. Weeds were still absent.
4 Small weeds sprouted Weeds were eaten slowly by Weeds were still absent.
(cogon grass) the rabbit.
5 Weeds were still absent. Almost quarter of the weeds Weeds were still absent.
was still dry because it was
trampled by the rabbit.
6 Weeds were still absent. Rabbit were still gradually Weeds were still absent.
eating the weeds.
7 Small weeds are present but Rabbit were still gradually Weeds were still absent.
are pulled out by the eating the weeds.
researcher.
8 Weeds were still absent. Weeds were dry but still it Weeds were still absent.
was gradually eating by the
rabbit. Almost all the weeds
were trampled.
9 Weeds were still absent. Most of the weeds were dry. Weeds were still absent.
The population of the weeds
was still relatively high
because the rabbits eat the
weed sluggishly.
10 A small number of weeds Most of the weeds were dry. Weeds were still absent.
start to come out. The population of the weeds
was still relatively high
because the rabbits eat the
weed sluggishly.
11 A small number of weeds Weed population gradually A small number of weeds
(cogon and camote tops) reduced. start to come out namely
start to come out < 1 to 1 camote tops..
inch.
12 Some weeds start to grow < Weed population gradually Camote tops start to grow of
1 to 2 inches. (cogon and reduced. < 1 inch.
camote tops)
13 Some weeds start to grow < All weeds were almost dry, Camote tops grows < 1 to 2
1 to 7 inches. (cogon and but lesser then previous days. inches.
camote tops)
14 The weeds start to grow with The weed population is still The camote tops grow with
the height average of 4.6 relatively high: however it is the average height 2.3 inches.
inches (cogon and camote visible in the area that the
tops) weeds were significantly
lesser than the first day with
the average height of 13
inches
TABLE 1. WEED GROWTH IN A 14 DAYS PERIOD IN DIFFERENT “WEED CONTROL METHOD”
 Before

Research Area Preparation

Day 1

Day
 2

Mechanical (Hand Weeding) Biological (Rabbit)

Cultural (Mulching)

Day 3

Mechanical (Hand Weeding) Biological (Rabbit)

 Cultural (Mulching)

Day 4

Mechanical (Hand Weeding)

Biological (Rabbit)

Cultural (Mulching)
 Day 5

Mechanical (Hand Weeding) Biological (Rabbit)

Cultural (Mulching)

Day 6

Mechanical (Hand Weeding) Biological (Rabbit)

 Cultural (Mulching)

Day 7

Mechanical (Hand Weeding) Biological (Rabbit)

Cultural (Mulching)
 Day 8

Biological (Rabbit) Mechanical (Hand Weeding)

Cultural (Mulching)

Day 9

Mechanical (Hand Weeding) Biological (Rabbit)

 Cultural (Mulching)

Day 10

Mechanical (Hand Weeding) Biological (Rabbit)

Cultural (Mulching)
 Day 11

Mechanical (Hand Weeding) Biological (Rabbit)

1Cultural (Mulching)

Day 12

Mechanical (Hand Weeding) Biological (Rabbit)

 Cultural (Mulching)

Day 13

Mechanical (Hand Weeding) Biological (Rabbit)

Cultural (Mulching)
 Day 14

Mechanical (Hand Weeding) Biological (Rabbit)

Cultural (Mulching)
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