Sensor-Based Intrarow Mechanical Weed Control in Sugar Beets with Motorized Finger Weeders

The need for herbicide usage reduction and the increased interest in mechanical weed control has prompted greater attention to development of agricultural robots autonomous weeding past years. This also requires suitable tools. Therefore, we devised a new tool perform intrarow sugar beets. A conventional finger weeder was modified equipped with an electric motor. allowed rotational movement weeders independent forward travel speed carrier. tested combination bi-spectral camera two-year field trial. used identify crop plants area. controller regulated motorized weeders, realizing two different setups. At location beet plant, equal driving tractor. Between plants, either by 40% or decreased 40%. efficacy this system ranged from 87 91% 2017 91 94% 2018. yields were not adversely affected treatments compared application. present effective selective weeding. Certainly, involves risk high infestations if are applied properly timely manner regardless whether sensor technology is not. However, due increasing resistances continuing bans on herbicides, strategies must be investigated further. study can contribute use beets other wide row crops.