Division of Biotechnology and Plant Health
SUSDOCK: Sustainable control of docks (Rumex spp.) – Synergies of detection, mapping and innovative weed control
End: dec 2028
Start: dec 2024
Broad-leaved dock (Rumex obtusifolius) and curled dock (Rumex crispus) are some of the most problematic weed species in grasslands worldwide; joined, in Norway and the rest of Northern Europe, by the far less studied northern dock (Rumex longifolius).
More information
Link to Northern dock (Rumex longifolius) in Plantevernleksikonet Link to Broad-leaved dock (Rumex obtusifolius) in Plantevernleksikonet Link to Curled dock (Rumex crispus) in Plantevernleksikonet| Status | Active |
| Start - end date | 31.12.2024 - 30.12.2028 |
| Project manager | Lars Olav Brandsæter |
| Division | Division of Biotechnology and Plant Health |
| Department | Invertebrate Pests and Weeds in Forestry, Agriculture and Horticulture |
| Partners | Project is led by NMBU (both BIOVIT and REALTEK) and is a joint project with NIBIO, NLR, NORSØK, RISE (Research Institutes of Sweden), Biodrone AS and Kverneland Group Operations Norway AS |
| Funding source | Forskningsmidlene for jordbruk og matindustri (FFL/JA) and in-kind by the company partners. |
In grasslands, stationary perennial species are particularly common, and many consider the dock species to be the worst. Some keywords for undesirable aspects related to docks are: rejection on pasture, distaste of the feed and that they outcompete the more valuable grassland species. The term 'docks' is often used as a species name, but there are often three species: curled-, broad- leaved- and northern dock. Two distinctive features of dock biology make it difficult to control: its vigorous tap root and its large, persistent seed bank.
Among preventive measures, a well-established crop, balanced fertilization and good soil structure are central.Direct measures against docks are usually carried out by mechanical or chemical fallow (clean-up) when renewing the grassland and by using selective herbicides in the established crop. However, both intensive tillage and the use of herbicides raises concerns for the environment.
To reduce the use of herbicides and tillage, the aim is to implement control measures only where necessary (e.g. spot spraying) and to develop integrated strategies to make alternative control measures more resource efficient. SUSDOCK will contribute to this by:
1) Developing image-based mapping tools of dock species
2) Generating new knowledge about the relationship between dock occurrence and explanatory abiotic and biotic factors
3) Evaluating integrated strategies based on e.g. root cutting and thermal measures (hot water, electricity) to control docks on grassland and during reneweing with minimal tillage and reduced use of herbicides
4) Evaluating spot application of herbicides with new platforms such as (unmanned) drones and robots.
