The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and deep learning technology into crop protection methods is a game-changer for agriculture.
This development introduces a new era of targeted spraying, which enables farmers to apply pesticides and herbicides directly at the plant level rather than in the entire field.
It’s a shift that is expected to have far-reaching impacts on sustainability as it empowers farmers to use resources more efficiently, reduce crop failure risks and achieve previously unattainable levels of productivity, profitability and sustainability gains.
Plant-level spraying is making such waves in agriculture today because it means farmers can now target individual plants with precision, rather than treating entire fields. This approach has numerous benefits, including the ability to optimize the use of pesticides and herbicides, reducing waste and minimizing the environmental impact.
For example, Trimble’s WeedSeeker 2 spot spray system enables farmers to only apply herbicide when a weed passes under the sensor – reducing chemical use by up to 90%.
Today, the current focus for companies at the cutting edge of this space is to help farmers detect and treat weeds. But future applications may not be far down the road. Indeed, as it applies to weeds today, plant-level spraying could be used for early detection and proactive management of pests, diseases and nutrient deficiencies.
By identifying and addressing issues before they spread, farmers may be able to prevent crop loss, maximizing yields. This level of precision and efficiency in crop protection has the potential to significantly increase global food production and enhance food security.
For farmers the benefits are clear. AI-powered crop protection means they can save resources by using pesticides and herbicides more effectively, reducing costs and increasing profitability. Additionally, AI technology provides real-time analysis and recommendations, allowing farmers to make data-driven decisions and optimize their entire operation.
The power of green-on-green
Green-on-green spot spraying is an advanced method of weed control in which a farmer uses sensors and artificial intelligence to accurately identify and target individual weeds in a growing crop. This technology has been gaining popularity in farming due to its numerous benefits.
First, it is a more sustainable option as it reduces the amount of herbicides used, which means less environmental damage. Additionally, it can have a positive impact on yield, as some herbicides are believed to have damaging or scorching effects on crops. By spraying less herbicides, farmers reduce this risk and stand to benefit from higher yields.
Green-on-green spot spraying also provides farmers with an economical advantage as they only spend money on the herbicides that are necessary, rather than covering the entire field, and it saves them time by simplifying operations, i.e. reducing the number of refills that are needed by covering more ground with the same quantity in the tank.
Finally, green-on-green technology opens up brand new strategies for farmers to control problematic weeds that have become resistant to the most widely used herbicides.
As this technology continues to improve and become more affordable, it is expected to become the standard for weed control in modern agriculture. By implementing this method, farmers can reduce their production costs, minimize their impact on the environment and maximize their crop yield.
Amid this shift toward green-on-green, Trimble acquired artificial intelligence and deep learning technology startup Bilberry just over a year ago to transform crop protection by spraying at plant-level, instead of field-level. Paris-based Bilberry sells its Intelligent Smart Spraying System in Australia and Canada currently, and plans to expand into new geographies in the coming year.
The system reduces herbicide usage by more than 80%. In Australia, the Bilberry technology is consistently able to deliver herbicide savings of more than 90% with comparable results as a traditional broadcast treatment.
The Bilberry system consists of intelligent cameras, which scan the field, detect weeds in the several crops in real time and trigger spraying only where it is required. Currently, the Bilberry team is working on:
- Extending the technology by developing new green-on-green applications in all key crops (cereals, corn, soybeans, cotton)
- Making the technology available to more farmers by developing retrofit kits for the most used sprayers
- Expanding into new markets in Europe, North America and Latin America
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