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Laser Weed Killers Eliminate Need For Spray
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Laser Lenses
Herbicides have been used for decades to kill the weeds that choke out the plants in backyard gardens and in industrial farms alike. Many individuals though are looking to live a life free of pesticides, herbicides and other weed killers. The concerns on toxicity, on the plants themselves and the potential for groundwater contamination have lead researchers to develop laser lights to kill weeds.
It was a group of research scientists in Hannover, Germany at the Leibniz University that are working on weed-killing laser technology. While it is certainly an idea with merit, it’s a delicate balance between having too little laser energy (the weeds feed off it and grow even faster) or if it’s too high, the surrounding plants will suffer. The team of researchers at Leibniz has been perfecting the intensity to kill the weeds, rather than encourage their growth, while still protecting the surrounding plants.
Another challenge facing the researchers is to make certain the laser lights target the weeds, not the plants. The team has developed a camera system set up that films the field and then adapted the information gathered to then measure the contours of both the plants and weeds. They are developing algorithms to recognize myriad varieties of weeds.
Currently, the laser weed killing system can treat a square meter of growth in a greenhouse. The cameras and lasers are mounted on rails as a way to pinpoint the weeds to be targeted. Large greenhouses or plantations or other fields in which the rows are straight and orderly could be candidates for this technology, as the rows need to be clearly delineated so the laser weed-killer can target the correct foliage.
Until the technology is further advanced, using laser lights to control weeds will present a greater challenge. Researchers will be working on a system that may incorporate robotic drones to “patrol” the rows of plants, targeting the weed growth. The laser lights will need to be targeted with precision so as to not harm the cash crop. While the technology is not yet available for general use, it may eventually be a part of a broad weed-killing program, one that can be undertaken without the use of pesticides.