3 Machines Helping to Win the Weed Fight

By Clinton Griffiths and Tyne Morgan

Herbicide-resistant weeds are a growing problem for farmers across the country. Luckily some new technologies are on the horizon to help battle the bullies of the plant world. 

1. MAKE WEEDS BUG OUT

The Weed Zapper is stopping herbicide-resistant weeds in their tracks. 

“It’s a weed electrocution implement we’ve evaluated for the past several years,” says Kevin Bradley, University of Missouri Extension weed scientist. “We’ve shown it is possible and something that might be a part of our arsenal in the future.”

The Weed Zapper electrocutes whatever the bar, or rope-like wick on the machine, touches. The key is to use it when weeds are taller than the crop canopy. While the idea dates back to the 1970s, Bradley says improvements could help make it a viable control today.

“We have shown we can get 90% or greater waterhemp control in July or August when they’re sticking above the soybean canopy,” Bradley adds.

2. THE WEED LASER

James Johnson of Carzalia Valley Produce in New Mexico deployed Carbon Robotics’ laser-weeding technology on his onion fields in mid-2021.

“The biggest hurdle I had with transitioning to organic was organic weed control,” he says. 

Carbon Robotics hopes its LaserWeeder saves farmers money and time, says company CEO Paul Mikesell. 

As the machine moves across a field, optical sensors recognize weeds. Then, high-power CO2 lasers eliminate them via a flash of thermal energy. The LaserWeeder is designed to seamlessly attach to tractors. 

“Farmers tell us they’re seeing 80% savings on their weed control costs,” Mikesell says.

The company is focused on high-value specialty crops but is exploring additional uses.

3. BLAST IT WITH BLUE

From killing tumbleweed seeds in Arizona to destroying Palmer amaranth seeds in Ohio, the blue LED light Weed Seed Destroyer from Global Neighbor is marching through the testing phase and toward commercial launch for the 2024 season. 

The Weed Seed Destroyer is a bolt-on aftermarket system that uses high intensity blue light to kill weed seeds as they pass through the back of the combine. 

“The easiest way to gain an edge on herbicide-resistant weeds is to battle them before they become a weed,” says Jon Jackson, the innovator behind the Weed Seed Destroyer. “The combine already gives us the perfect theatre to treat weed seeds before they’re dispersed.” 

Blue light, in smaller doses, Jackson says, works well as a crop seed stimulant.