Nufarm and Crop.Zone use electricity to control weeds

Nufarm and Crop.Zone say they combine chemical and physical processes to create a sustainable method of weed control. Plants are pre-treated with an organic, regulated liquid that is conductive. Then an electric charge is applied. That way, the companies say farmers can control weeds with a high degree of efficiency and lower energy consumption than conventional weeding technologies.

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The energy for the electrophysical weeder is provided by the tractor PTO, which is a limiting factor. Crop.Zone says that because optimised electrohybrid fluids are sprayed on the weeds first, less electricity is needed. – Photo: Crop.Zone

Electrophysical weeder

Nufarm is an Australian developer and manufacturers of seeds and crop protection solutions. Crop.Zone is a German agtech start-up. Its electrophysical weeder has an application witdh of 8 meter and an application speed of 4 km/h. It can cover 3 ha per hour.

Alternative to chemical solutions

According to Hildo Brilleman, Regional manager EUMRA at Nufarm, the new technology, with its wide mode of action, is an exciting innovation in crop protection. “It enables us to offer our customers a real alternative to our proven chemical solutions at competitive prices, especially for those crops where chemical weed control options have been reduced and where alternative technologies are requested.”

The solution will first be made available to farmers in Germany and the Benelux countries in 2021.