T
rials in the Burdekin involving artificial intelligence and precision robotic weed control are showing early promise in reducing herbicide use.
ROBOTIC WEED CONTROL TRIALS SHOW PROMISE IN THE BURDEKIN
The AutoWeed technology at the centre of the research uses artificial intelligence and visible-light imagery to detect and spray specific weeds by differentiating them from the crop. SRA Burdekin District Manager Terry Granshaw said three initial trials focused on treating nutgrass in sugarcane. The trials compared traditional blanket spraying of nutgrass applying Sempra® and Krismat® with application of the same chemicals using the spot spraying tool.
On average, the robotic spot spraying tool was 95 per cent as effective as blanket spraying, and reduced herbicide usage by 35 per cent. AutoWeed Technical Officer Jake Wood said trial outcomes varied according to the degree of weed infestation in a paddock.
SRA District Manager Burdekin Terry Granshaw, AutoWeed Technical Officer Jake Wood and AutoWeed Managing Director Dr Alex Olsen in the field during a robotic spray trial on a legume crop.
Cane Matters / Autumn 2022
(Right) The 4-row boom sprayer used in the robotic spray trials on sugarcane.
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