Targeted and Microdose Chemical Applications

Abstract

In cropping systems, the precise application of herbicides is important for efficacious weed control. By using plant recognition and precision application technology targeting individual plants, off-target movement can be eliminated and herbicide rates significantly reduced without sacrificing yields. Highly targeted applications of nonselective herbicides into a growing sensitive crop are novel operations, nonexistent before the development of plant-specific targeting. New application technologies are essential when spatial rather than chemical selectively is to be deployed. In many potential applications, the chemical delivery system becomes the spatial resolution and speed limiting factor in the system.