Evaluating commercially available precision weed spraying technology for detecting weeds in sugarcane farming systems

Abstract

Precision spraying systems which use optical sensing technology to detect green weeds were evaluated for their suitability for use in sugarcane farming systems. The Weedseeker® spraying system was specifically evaluated in a range of sugarcane inter-row applications. A prototype custom spray hood that integrates the Weedseeker® sensors was developed and tested. The report details the field situations, in sugarcane, where this technology works well and where it is less effective. The economics of using this technology in sugarcane was assessed.