2019 ASHS Annual Conference

There are few new herbicides for vegetable crops, and it has always been difficult to find new weed control materials for these crops. Vegetable crops are not a priority for the agrochemical industry, and many of these crops do not have access to effective herbicides. High-value fruit and vegetable crops represent small markets and high potential liability in case of herbicide-induced crop damage. Hand weeding of vegetables has been necessary to realize acceptable weed control. Labor shortages may eliminate this option for specialty crop producers in the not too distant future. Robotic weeders are promising new weed control tools for specialty crops. Now is the time for greater investment in robotic weeders as new herbicides are expensive to develop and few in number, and organic crops need better weed control technology as well. Fundamental research on robotic weeder technology can help improve weed and crop recognition, as well as weed control actuators. Weed science curricula must begin to train students in this technology if they are to meet the future demands of industry. Robotic weeders expand the array of tools available to vegetable crop growers and can reduce handweeding times 30 to 40%. However, the development of robotic weeders will require a broader recognition that these tools are a viable path to create new weed control tools for specialty crops so that they get the resources they deserve.