Article,
Practical experiences with a system for site-specific weed control in arable crops using real-time image analysis and GPS-controlled patch spraying
Weed Research, (June 2006)
DOI: doi:10.1111/j.1365-3180.2006.00504.x
Abstract
Information on temporal and spatial variation in weed seedling populations within agricultural fields is very important for weed population assessment and management. Primarily, spatial information allows a potential reduction in herbicide use, when post-emergent herbicides are only applied to field sections with high weed infestation levels. This paper presents a system for site-specific weed control in sugar beet, maize, winter wheat, winter barley, winter rape and spring barley. The system includes on-line weed detection using digital image analysis, computer-based decision making and Global Positioning System-controlled patch spraying. In a 2-year study, herbicide use with this map-based approach was reduced in winter cereals by 681 for herbicides against broad leaved weeds and 2079 for grass weed herbicides. Highest savings were achieved in cereals followed by sugar beet, maize and winter rape. The efficacy of weed control varied from 85 to 98, indicating that site-specific weed management will not result in higher infestation levels in the following crops.
