2019 ASHS Annual Conference

Limited herbicide options are available for use in specialty crops due to their small markets and high potential liability in the case of herbicide crop damage. Robotic weeders can provide a solution for weed management in specialty crops. Tractor mounted smart cultivators have had some success in California. However, that type of technology may not be affordable for small diversified growers in the coastal Carolinas. Additionally, the higher and less predictable rainfall in the southeast makes it more difficult to rely on frequent cultivation for weed control with larger implements. The Husky robotics platform utilizes a light weight UGV with both a precision spray actuator and mechanical weeding device, which allows for improved performance in wet soils and has a base price of $20,000.