Machine-vision technology shows promise to reduce herbicide use

Farmers and land-managers seeking to reduce their herbicide applications now have another promising option via machine-vision technology. That's the summary from a recently published research article in Weed Technology.

Recent research shows machine-vision targeted spray technology can significantly reduce herbicide applications compared to traditional broadcast applications. Credit: Michael Dodde, 2023 University of Arkansas graduate assistant.

"Our research showed that, on average, this technology's targeted sprays saved a range of 28.4 to 62.4% on postemergence herbicides compared to traditional broadcast applications," says Tristen Avent, University of Arkansas, Senior Graduate Assistant in the Crop, Soil, and Environmental Sciences Department, and corresponding author of the study.

"In addition to significant opportunities to lower herbicide costs and improve profits, our research also showed that the targeted applications from machine-vision technology can be utilized to provide some soybean health benefits and improve environmental stewardship."

In this study, researchers used John Deere's See & Spray Technology to compare machine-vision targeted spray technology with traditional broadcast applications. Researchers conducted the experiments for two years in Keiser, AR, and Greenville, MS, to compare residual herbicide timings and targeted spray applications versus traditional broadcast herbicide programs in glyphosate/glufosinate/dicamba-resistant soybeans.

More information: Tristen H. Avent et al, Comparing herbicide application methods with See & Spray™ technology in soybean, Weed Technology (2024). DOI: 10.1017/wet.2024.70