Related Publications (New 1-31-2000)
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Smart Sprayer concept
Typically, foliar herbicides are broadcast on an entire field without regard to the spatial variability of the weed population in the field. This practice results in areas being sprayed where no or few weeds exist, receiving just as much herbicide as those areas with a high weed population. Obviously, if a sophisticated application delivery system was developed which applied herbicide where weeds exist and shut off where there were no weeds, herbicide usage could be reduced or herbicides could be more effectively placed. This practice would result in a lower environmental burden and increase agricultural profitability. Selective spraying, spot spraying, or intermittent spraying are different names which are attached to this herbicide application method.
Weed coverage test
Research has shown that weed variation in weed populations do exist. If herbicide could be applied in a spatially varying manner based on weed population, less herbicide would be needed. Because of the potential benefit of selective spraying, much work has been done to develop a variable selective sprayer. Primary challenges are to sense weeds and discriminate between weeds and crop plants, crop residue and soil. Most of the research effort has been directed to these challenges. When the presence of weeds is correctly detected, another challenge involves making the decision of whether to spray and how much herbicide should be sprayed. When these decisions are made, another challenge is to place the proper amount of chemical at the proper location.
Because of the potential benefits of a selective sprayer, research has been initiated in the Department of Agricultural Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Development of the "smart sprayer" was started in the spring of 1997 and is sponsored by Illinois Council on Food and Agricultural Research (C-FAR). A prototype smart sprayer was built in 1997 and preliminary testing and evaluations have been conducted. Test results of the first prototype show promise.
Prototype I was tested in the summer of 1997
The Smart Sprayer user friendly GUI
To improve the performance, researchers in the Department of Agricultural Engineering are now working on a new version of the smart sprayer. The real-time machine vision weed sensing system will be able to estimate weed size and population as functions of position in the field. The variable-rate nozzle will be able to change the spray application rate on the go. Our goal is for the new smart sprayer to be a system capable of applying herbicides to weeds and weeds only, resulting in reduced usage of herbicides at an equal or higher level of weed control compared to conventional sprayers.
Smart Sprayer Prototypr II is under development
Related Publications (New 1-31-2000)
For more information please contact Dr. Lei Tian in Agricultural Engineering Dept., University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
