SUSDOCK: Sustainable control and mapping of dock plants

Docks (Rumex spp.) are some of the most problematic weed species in grasslands worldwide. The most common problematic dock species in Sweden are broad-leaved dock (Rumex obtusifolius), northern dock (Rumex longifolius) och curly dock (Rumex crispus). Docks reduce the quality and yield of grassland crops by outcompeting higher yielding and more nutritious crop plants. Furthermore, docks contain substances that are unhealthy for livestock if consumed in high doses. The most common methods for controlling docks are herbicides and tillage (primarily ploughing). Currently there are not many effective alternative control methods, which makes docks a bottleneck in the expansion of organically managed grassland and forces reduced-till systems to rely heavily on herbicides. To control docks without herbicides, farmers are forced to dig up the taproots manually or renew the grassland early by ploughing. Hot water and electricity have also been tested but is slow and requires a lot of resources. 

The SUSDOCK-project will:

1. Develop automatic image-based mapping and targeting of dock species that is adapted to Nordic grasslands. 
2. Generate new knowledge about the relationship between dock occurrence and explanatory abiotic and biotic factors on Nordic farms. 
3. Evaluate integrated strategies for controlling docks in grassland and during grassland renewal with minimal tillage and herbicide use. For example, using the horizontal root cutter to disturb the Docks prior to applying hot water or electricity to reduce the water and/or energy use. 
4. Evaluate spot-application of herbicides by new platforms like unmanned aerial sprayers and robots.