Advanced agricultural robots for weed control

Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri) is already causing a serious headache for American farmers, and the pesticide-resistant weed is spreading across the country at an alarming rate. Luckily, a team of researchers has developed a novel pesticide applicator that could allow autonomous robots to prevent infestations.

A difficult weed to control
Palmer amaranth is particularly threatening to cotton and soybean production, as it’s able to quickly outgrow crops. It’s also resistant to glyphosate, a common broad-spectrum herbicide.

The weed can, however, be controlled with benzoic acid herbicides. Unfortunately, the available formulations tend to drift easily, which can have a devastating effect on surrounding plant life.

An alternative to spraying
A team from the University of Nebraska has developed a tool that allows autonomous robots to introduce the pesticide inside the plant. The robot has a serrated roller that scuffs the plant and simultaneously applies the herbicide, thereby avoiding the risks associated with spraying and wind drift. This method also requires less pesticide than spraying does.

In contrast, existing agricultural robots work by spraying target areas, which doesn’t allow for safe and sustainable control of pest species like Palmer amaranth.

Overall, the development of advanced robots is an important step toward sustainable pest management. Farmers can anticipate sophisticated new solutions to age old problems.