Opportunities in the use of microwave technology and image processing for weed management

In agricultural plant production weed control has a direct impact on yield and quality. Because of an increase in the varieties resistant to the herbicides and the difficulties for weed control in organic farming, new weed control methods haveas been emerged. The objectives of this study were to determine the possibilities of using microwave energy to kill the weeds between the rows and find out the limit power levels for killing the weeds which becomes a great problem in corn and cotton production. This study was conducted at laboratory conditions in order to determine microwave energy levels at which four weed varieties cocklebur (Xanthium strumarium L.) , Johnson Grass (Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers), Black Nightshade (Solanum nigrum), Bermuda Grass (Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers) die out according to weed density and forward speeds of the laboratory prototype. For this purpose, 3-D camera and image processing wereas used to identify the three important stages of the weeds development. According to the results; all four types of weeds were be able to be killed by microwave applications. The required microwave power to kill the weeds increased with increasing forward speed. Generally, cocklebur was required 2,4 kW energy at 0,3 m s-1 forward speed. Black Nightshade, Johnson Grass and Bermuda Grass required much power than cocklebur. Johnson Grass and Bermuda Grass were killed at 4 and 5,6 kW microwave power level at 0,1 m s-1 forward speed respectively.