Efficacy and reduced fuel use for hot water weed control on pavements

Summary Non‐chemical weed control on pavements needs more frequently repeated treatments than the application of glyphosate and often uses large amounts of fuel. To obtain effective hot water control with minimum energy consumption, an in‐depth study of efficacy‐influencing factors was performed. Three dose–response pot experiments were conducted outdoors to investigate the impact of growth stage (39, 60 and 81 day old), water temperature (78, 88 and 98°C), time of the day (2, 7 and 12 h after sunrise) and treatment interval (2, 3, 4 and 6 week intervals) on hot water sensitivity of seven weed species that are hard to control on pavements. Responses to hot water were quantified by weed coverage and total dry biomass. In general, hot water sensitivity was highest for species with large planophile leaves and lowest for grasses with small erectophile leaves. Most species were twofold to sixfold more sensitive to water at 98°C than at 78 and 88°C, particularly when treated at early growth stages. Among treatment intervals, treating at 3‐week intervals was up to twofold more effective and energy efficient than treating at 6‐week intervals. Sensitivity was about twofold lower in the morning than in the afternoon. For effective control of weeds, while using less fuel, it is recommended to apply hot water in the late afternoon, to operate at high water temperature (98°C) and to treat plants as young as possible at 3‐week intervals.