Researchers combat weeds and invasive trees

Although small in scale, one research project at New Mexico State University’s Fabián García Science Center has the potential to revolutionize weed control without using chemicals.

Erik Lehnhoff, an associate professor of weed ecology, Leslie Beck, an Extension weed specialist, and Andres Indacochea, an electrical engineering master’s student at NMSU, have teamed up to explore the use of electric mulch connected to solar panels to suppress weeds under crop canopies. The project—currently in use along a cluster of grapevine rows at the science center—has seen about 100% effectiveness.