Field Applications of Automated Weed Control: Western Hemisphere

Opportunities for automated weed control vary widely among cropping systems of the Western Hemisphere. High-value conventional and organic horticultural crops may provide the best initial opportunity for automated weed control because of dependency on labor for hand weeding and the lack of effective herbicides. Fresh market vegetable crops are planted year-round in small successive plantings which make them an attractive target for weed control automation equipment. The most likely immediate role for weed control automation in agronomic crops would be in the area of sprayer control so that weed-infested patches could be treated selectively and weed-free patches not treated. If automated weed control solutions are developed and made cost effective and time efficient, then broader adoption of automated weed control technology is possible.