Weed Management and Economic Analysis of a Robotic Lawnmower: A Case Study in a Japanese Pear Orchard

Muhammad Zakaria Hossain,Masakazu Komatsuzaki

doi:10.3390/agriculture11020113

Abstract

The use of robots is increasing in agriculture, but there is a lack of suitable robotic technology for weed management in orchards. A robotic lawnmower (RLM) was installed, and its performance was studied between 2017 and 2019 in a pear orchard (1318 m2) at Ibaraki University, Ami. We found that the RLM could control the weeds in an orchard throughout a year at a minimum height (average weed height, WH: 44 ± 15 mm, ± standard deviation (SD) and dry weed biomass, DWB: 103 ± 25 g m−2). However, the RLM experiences vibration problems while running over small pears (33 ± 8 mm dia.) during fruit thinning periods, which can stop blade mobility. During pear harvesting, fallen fruits (80 ± 12 mm dia.) strike the blade and become stuck within the chassis of the RLM; consequently, the machine stops frequently. We estimated the working performance of a riding mower (RM), brush cutter (BC), and a walking mower (WM) in a pear orchard and compared the mowing cost (annual ownership, repair and maintenance, energy, oil, and labor) with the RLM. The study reveals that the RLM performs better than other conventional mowers in a small orchard (0.33 ha). For a medium (0.66 ha) and larger (1 ha) orchard, the RLM is not more cost-effective than RM and WM. However, the existing RLM performed weed control well and showed promise for profitability in our research field. We believe that, if field challenges like fallen fruit and tree striking problems can be properly addressed, the RLM could be successfully used in many small orchards.

Highlights

Over the last century, agriculture has been transformed from a labor-intensive industry towards one using mechanization and power-intensive production systems [1]
Due to progress made in programming and the technological advances in the engineering and robotics domains, nowadays autonomous systems can increasingly take over nonstandardized tasks previously reserved for human workers and at economically feasible costs [4]
The mechanical means for weed control include the use of tillage implements, riding mower (RM), brush cutter (BC), and walking mower (WM)

Summary

Introduction

Agriculture has been transformed from a labor-intensive industry towards one using mechanization and power-intensive production systems [1]. Due to progress made in programming and the technological advances in the engineering and robotics domains, nowadays autonomous systems can increasingly take over nonstandardized tasks previously reserved for human workers and at economically feasible costs [4]. Automation is no longer restricted to just the standardized tasks within industrial production but becomes part of non-standardized and non-routine processes, and, importantly, automation can take over technical and managerial functions. The mechanical means for weed control include the use of tillage implements, riding mower (RM), brush cutter (BC), and walking mower (WM). The use of tillage implements in orchards may damage roots that are between tree rows, retarding water and nutrient uptake. Hashimi et al (2019) [7] reported that tillage for weed control and residue incorporation can have detrimental effects on the agroecosystems

Methods

Discussion

Conclusion