New technology results in chemical use efficiency

Weed control and crop protection are set to benefit from the use of AI. See how AI can help save costs.

Newly developed weed control methods using artificial intelligence can reduce chemical costs by up to 95 per cent.

AI is still in its infancy for crop protection. However, the adaptations in the horticultural sector are moving fast.

Agtech By Design co-founder and chief technology officer Ben Pankhurst of Loxton, South Australia, said visitors to the upcoming FutureAg Expo will be able to inspect the new three-metre viticulture and horticulture sprayer.

The weed-selector boom uses AI technology to spray and target weeds selectively.

Mr Pankhurst said the sprayer was still in the pre-commercial stage, but there were plans to launch it in the next month or so.

The spray rig can be paired with a self-driving vehicle called a Burro, which has been developed by AME Group. Agtech By Design will partner with AME Group to distribute the boom and attachment in Australia.

He said AI for weed control had been around for five years in the horticultural sector and was being adopted fast, particularly due to cost savings. There were chemical use savings of up to 95 per cent.

An automated spray rig from Agtech By Design. Picture: Supplied

“The monetary benefits from chemical use can result in a return on investment between one and three years,” he said.

AgTech By Design chief executive officer Zane Sheffield said AI-facilitated machines for weed control were currently being used in orchards and vineyards.

So far, there has been an uptake of AI technology in apple orchards, citrus operations, almonds, and vineyards.

“We can use AI to detect individual species of weeds,” he said.

Mr Sheffield said in the future, there was the capacity to select individual weeds and target them.

“This allows farmers to keep beneficial plants and insects in the ecosystem and keeps the soil relatively healthy for crops,” he said.

Farmers can save 60 to 80 per cent in the breakdown of chemical use when using what is known as “brown on brown” technology.

This means all weeds are targeted.

However, in a “green on green” scenario where individual weeds are targeted, Mr Sheffield said there were chemical savings of 95 per cent.

“It might be the case that a farmer is using 100 litres of chemical instead of 4000 litres,” he said.

“And with less chemical, there is less harm to the environment, and it promotes soil sustainability.”