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Mechanical Inter- and Intra-Row Weed Control for Small-Scale Vegetable Producers

Author

Listed:
  • Ana Trajkovski

    (Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, Aškerčeva Cesta 6, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia)

  • Jan Bartolj

    (Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, Aškerčeva Cesta 6, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia)

  • Tomaž Levstek

    (Biotechnical Center Naklo, Strahinj 99, 4202 Naklo, Slovenia)

  • Tone Godeša

    (Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, Aškerčeva Cesta 6, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia)

  • Matej Sečnik

    (Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, Aškerčeva Cesta 6, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia)

  • Marko Hočevar

    (Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, Aškerčeva Cesta 6, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia)

  • Franc Majdič

    (Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, Aškerčeva Cesta 6, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia)

Abstract

Small-scale vegetable producers often do not have modern mechanical equipment; as a result, a significant amount of inter-row and all intra-row weeding is performed manually. The development of small, affordable machines increases the competitiveness of organic vegetable production, improves sustainable land use, and reduces dependence on unwanted herbicides. In this study, a simple modular lightweight e-hoe with the capability for both inter-row (1st degree of freedom) and intra-row (2nd degree of freedom) weeding was proposed. The e-hoe uses battery-powered in-wheel drives to move the platform (3rd degree of freedom) and additional drives to operate the tools. The e-hoe was evaluated in a small greenhouse using three different tools: a traditional hoe, an adjusted rounded hoe, and an adjusted spring tine narrow hoe. The experiments were conducted at four different tool rotation speeds, using specially designed 3D-printed models for crops and weeds for evaluation. The results indicate that the efficiency of the e-hoe rates up to 95% when the right tool design and rotation speed are combined. Based on the battery capacity, the machine can be operated for approximately 3.7 h, enabling the weeding of about 3050 plants.

Suggested Citation

  • Ana Trajkovski & Jan Bartolj & Tomaž Levstek & Tone Godeša & Matej Sečnik & Marko Hočevar & Franc Majdič, 2024. "Mechanical Inter- and Intra-Row Weed Control for Small-Scale Vegetable Producers," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-14, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:14:y:2024:i:9:p:1483-:d:1469050
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Chung-Liang Chang & Bo-Xuan Xie & Sheng-Cheng Chung, 2021. "Mechanical Control with a Deep Learning Method for Precise Weeding on a Farm," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 11(11), pages 1-21, October.
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