Advances in mechanical weed control technologies

Abstract

Mechanical weed control can be grouped into three categories: full-width cultivators, inter-row cultivators and intra-row cultivators. This chapter will highlight the most recent and relevant advances within each category. The focus will be on novel inventions and developments of mechanical devices, designs, and the weed problems they are meant to solve. Moreover, automation technologies that assist weeding operations are becoming increasingly important and will be given special attention.

New tools for mechanical weed control in low-input dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) production

“…Robotic weeders that target the area between plants within a row are available for spaced plants (eg., sugar beet). However, these may not be appropriate for dry beans that have a greater in-row density (Melander and McCollough 2021), so future use of finger weeders with camera guidance may be more practical. This study was conducted with broadleaved weeds and small-seeded Setaria species.…”

Application of Precision Farming in Horticulture: A Comprehensive Review

“…Current limitations may be addressed by creating more advanced sensors that can distinguish between crops and weeds in a range of situations. The development of models to enhance comprehension of the financial gains and operational effectiveness may promote the broader implementation of these technologies [27]. The development of precision mechanical weeders is a major advancement in the direction of sustainable agriculture.…”

Mechanical Weed Control Systems: Methods and Effectiveness

“…Vision systems are used to detect plants and correct weeding tools, enabling faster driving of a tractor or an autonomous platform, e.g., CultiCam, Garford, K.U.L.T., Steketee, FarmDroid, Robovator, etc. [10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24]. There are also other weeding methods based on the visual recognition of weeds and burning them with a laser beam.…”