OSU Looking At Using Electricity On Weeds

Oregon State University is studying what could be the next big thing in organic farming; electricity.  The technology is already being used in tree crops.  But Associate Professor of Weed Science Marcelo Moretti said work is still needed to bring it to vegetable farms.

“We wait until the weeds grow out of the soil, and then we come with electrodes and we apply a pretty high voltage of energy as we are driving the equipment; that equipment is connected to the tractor.”

Moretti said it takes about as much time as tilling a field, but without exposing new weed seeds.

"I think electricity will shine, not just because of how fast you do it in one pass, but because that effect is long-lasting," he added.

OSU recently received a million-dollar USDA grant for the three-year research project.

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