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