Minimising environmental impact of weed control in vegetables by weed detection and spot herbicide application

The work involved the assessment of image analysis based techniques to discriminate volunteer potatoes from surrounding crops and to locate treatment sites on plants. Application methods using  new and existing nozzle technology were also developed and tested. Agronomic assessment of candidate treatment methods were evaluated in laboratory and field trials.

Results from the project have demonstrated the potential for controlling volunteer potatoes in onion and carrot crops by the spot application of glyphosate at work rates, with total system costs that are competitive with any of the alternatives. In field trials, typical levels of control of 90% in carrot and onion crops were achieved with a single application and with acceptable levels of crop contamination and damage.

Reports and Key Words

The final report for a follow-on project (R435) is also available (published July 2013).