Deep learning-based laser weed control compared to conventional herbicide application across three vegetable...

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Science
• Weed Management Technologies
• Sustainable Agriculture

Background:

• Conventional herbicide use faces challenges including resistance, crop injury, and regulatory pressures.
• Growing demand for nonchemical weed control methods is increasing interest in alternatives like laser weeding.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of laser weeding compared to herbicides for weed control in processing vegetables.
• To assess the impact of laser weeding on crop yield and biomass.

Main Methods:

• Field trials were conducted in New Jersey and New York in 2024.
• Laser weeding was compared against pre-emergence and post-emergence herbicide applications.
• Evaluated on beet, spinach, and pea crops.

Main Results:

• Laser weeding matched or surpassed herbicide effectiveness against common lambsquarters and common ragweed.
• Effectiveness varied for purslane and annual grasses due to specific weed biology and emergence patterns.
• Laser weeding significantly reduced weed cover, density, and biomass while increasing crop biomass by over 30% with minimal stunting.

Conclusions:

• Multiple laser passes provide effective weed control without crop damage, potentially increasing yields over conventional herbicides.
• Further research is recommended to optimize laser weeding technology for diverse environments and weed types, and to scale up commercial units.