Mechanical Weed Control Systems: Methods and Effectiveness

Abstract

This article presents a division of methods to support mechanical weeding based on mechatronic control systems and estimates their effectiveness. The subject was undertaken due to the noticeable increase in interest in machine weeding methods, which is the result of the need for farmers to meet the growing awareness of customers focusing on healthy and high-quality products and the European Union policy promoting environmental protection programs, such as the European Green Deal and supporting commission priorities like the Mission Soil as a flagship initiative of the long-term vision for the EU’s rural areas. Mechanical weeding meets the stringent conditions set by organic farming, and automation favours the development of these methods. Based on sources in the literature, it has been shown that it is possible to increase the weeding speed by at least 1.6 times by using the tool position correction system for row crops. In the case of crops requiring weeding, and in the spaces between plants in a row, the use of specialised weeding machines allows for an increase in the weeding efficiency by up to 2.57 times compared to manual weeding. Each of the analysed methods used to support weeding are subject to a certain error due to the use of sources in the literature, including manufacturers’ materials; however, it shows an upward trend in the effectiveness of using mechatronic weeding support systems, which was part of the thesis. This article presents the division of these systems and analyses the specific market solutions of machines, which is its distinguishing feature.