Advances in technology are changing weed control and may present new options for farmers in the future, a scientist has told the Irrigation Farmers Network conference.
Professor Michael Walsh, from Charles Sturt University, described advances in weed recognition and a range of other weed control measures being developed in the United States, following an overseas trip.
The interest in different or novel weed control is being driven by lack of herbicide resources, due to a combination of herbicide resistance, negative perceptions and increased regulation.
“There is a lack of available herbicides for cropping systems. So we need replacements, but more immediately, more supporting technologies to keep our herbicides available for an extended time,” Prof Walsh said.
“Herbicides are so good, it’s almost impossible to replace them so these alternatives would be an adjunct.
“You can only get selectivity with being able to recognise and specifically target the weed.
“It still has a long way to go before it supplants the weed control measures we already have. “But it will be a big help to have the capability to treat weeds in crops, with something other than a herbicide.
“As markets for organic, non-chemically treated food production grows, there is definitely a strong demand for alternative weed control.”
Using high resolution cameras to identify the weed, an LED fires blue light at a plant which disrupts photo-synthesis, various technologies used micro-jet sprayers which deliver short bursts of chemicals, and further developments were being made in electrical weeding, using a 10,000 volt electrical charge to kill weeds.
The conference was held at Moama on July 25.