Smart spraying is no longer a hope from the past – it is now penetrating the ag market. Smart spraying provides many benefits to growers, such as decreased input costs, better return on investments and improved efficiency. But which smart spraying technology is best for your operation? It all boils down to how the technology works and each farmer’s unique needs.
Smart spraying – or the precise application of herbicide to weeds – can take many forms.
NDVI leverages the power of light to control weeds
One common type of smart spraying technology uses normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) values to spray weeds on bare soil, which is commonly referred to as green-on-brown spraying.
NDVI is typically used to determine a plant’s health based on how it reflects ranges of light. This value is also leveraged in some smart spraying solutions to sense and seek out weeds in the soil. These sensors measure the NDVI, determine whether there is a weed present and initiate the spray. This can all be done from the tractor or ATV at speeds up to 25 mph, which means less time in the field and less money spent on chemicals each season. However, the benefits don’t end there. Additional benefits of NDVI innovation include:
Spraying at night
Pre-emergence application
The system's scalability (from 2 to 92 sensors) allows it to be applied on an ATV for pesky weeds in the driveway all the way up to large-scale operations.
The PTx Trimble WeedSeeker® 2 system is one example of this kind of spot spray technology, which can be mounted on any new or existing sprayer boom that hovers close to the weed, making it ideal for orchards, vineyards and specialty crops.
AI powers weed management all season long
The second type of spot spray technology gaining traction in the industry is derived from AI (artificial intelligence) technology. These systems have been programmed to recognize a wide variety of weeds by learning through imagery the differences between the weed and the crop. This allows for not only green-on-brown spraying but also green-on-green spraying.
AI spot spray technologies are ideal for row crops, as they can most times be mounted further away from the crop and can be used on larger-scale spray booms. By leveraging the power of AI, you can spray with this technology at any time during the growing season and save up to 90% on chemical costs.
The PTx Trimble Bilberry spot spraying solution is one example of AI technology that leverages the ability to spray only weeds through:
Integration on existing equipment, eliminating the need for expensive machinery upgrades
Post-emergence application
Precise delivery of herbicide to the weed to reduce chemical costs
Reduction of over-application for environmental sustainability
Not interested in spot spray technology? An ISOBUS variable rate system could still save you time and money.
ISOBUS helps you get more from your existing equipment
ISOBUS uses a module called an Electronic Control Unit, or ECU, that communicates with the tractor display and the implement to initiate application control, regardless of the make/brand of the tractor or the implement. The ability to fit this technology to your current sprayer setup not only prevents you from the high costs of new equipment but will also improve your efficiency and save money in the long run. The beauty of ISOBUS is that it can be retrofitted to your sprayer, no matter the year or the brand, and can be controlled from most tractor displays.
The PTx Trimble ISOBUS Advanced Sprayer solution provides implement management and control, rate and section control, frame and boom control, and tank level management. The sprayer ECU system can also be paired with our new PC-based configurator tool, providing complete sprayer control and the greatest level of customization possible to meet your operation's needs.
PTx Trimble also offers an ISOBUS Orchard/Vineyard solution that provides hydraulic boom control, flow and measure management, ultrasonic sensor feedback, automatic headland detection and section control.
Systems tailored for your operation
Each of these solutions has retrofit cabling options to adjust to your current machine setup. These controls will improve the efficiency of your equipment and provide a unique opportunity for return on investment.
Smart spraying has revolutionized the way we think about applying chemicals, both for the concern of over-application and, more recently, due to spikes in input costs.
Smart spraying doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. Understanding how each kind of spray technology works will help you make a more informed decision on which solution is right for you.
For more information on PTx Trimble sprayer and ISOBUS technologies, visit our Crop Protection Solutions page or talk to your local reseller.