Assessment of the Integration of Mechanical Weeding for Weed Control in Sugar Beet-Growing

The aim of this research was to evaluate the potential of mechanical weeding for the cultivation of sugar beet by comparing four weed control programmes (one chemical, two mixed (chemical and mechanical) and one mechanical). Under the dry conditions of 2017, the mixed conditions displayed the best effectiveness (more than 97%), using less herbicide and costing €30/ha less than the chemical scheme, while producing a yield identical to that obtained with fully chemical protection. Conversely, the mechanical programme was ineffective (69%), especially on weeds in the crop row (23% effectiveness only); while its cost was lower (€180/ha), it led to a loss of sugar yield of 18.9% compared to chemical weed control.