Mechanical weed control

Why?

Strongly reduces the input of herbicides

Decreases number of available herbicides in many crops

Effective against pesticide-resistant weeds

Type of machinery/equipment

Modes of action

Hoe

Harrow

Robots

Full field

Between rows

In crop rows

Ridge application

Advantages

  • Less input of chemical pesticides
  • No emissions to ground and
    surface water
  • Autonomous vehicles
  • Driven by solar power
  • Combines with precision sowing/precision agriculture for application in the row and even before crop emergence

Disadvantages

  • Less capacity (ha/hours)
  • More energy use
  • More weather dependant