Ecological valuation of mechanical and chemical weed control in vineyards within the scope of an ecobalance

Within the scope of an eco-balance following the guideline DIN/ISO 14040 in cooperation with the Institute for Energy and Environmental Research (ifeu) it was investigated, if a mechanical or a chemical weed control has more ecological advantages. The study was focused on one hectare and one year and only the herbicides glufosinate and glyphosate and point or band application were taken into account. On this basis a literature review was carried out focusing on fate and behaviour of the two herbicides in comparison with possible effects of mechanical weed control. Because superior ecological criteria for the comparative judgement of side effects are missing today, the final valuation was carried out in form of a discussion. This came to the result, that the use of both herbicides applied in a point or band application has no ecological disadvantages compared with a mechanical weed control in vineyards. The judgement of the single weed control scenarios was mainly influenced by the energy consumption of the tractor.