For efficient use of herbicides: A joint initiative has been launched by Bosch, BASF Digital Farming, Amazone, and the University of Hohenheim in the form of the HoPla project, will conduct research into the use of high-performance sensors for smart herbicide treatment. The aim is to investigate how optical technologies and artificial intelligence can assist with the targeted application of herbicides as a means of effective, agronomic weed control. The initiative is supported by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) as part of its program “Photonics for a digitally connected world – rapid optical control of dynamic processes”. The project was started in September and is to run until August 2025.
The United Nations expects the world’s population to cross the 9 billion barrier by 2050, which will necessitate an at least 70% increase in global food production. Farmers must face this challenge by utilizing the limited amount of available farmland as sustainably as possible, while also minimizing their use of resources. An important aspect of these efforts is the efficient use of herbicides, particularly to combat crop-reducing weeds, without endangering or reducing the farmers’ yields.
In many parts of Europe, herbicides are still applied to entire fields. However, a more targeted treatment of undesired plants ensures much more efficient use of herbicides without affecting crop yields.
This targeted application is already possible today thanks to intelligent technologies such as smart spraying. While passing over the field, smart camera and software technology attached to the field sprayer differentiates between crop plants and weeds, thus ensuring that the herbicides are applied only where they are needed. This enables reliable detection of weeds in row crops, such as corn, sugar beets, and sunflowers, meaning that herbicide use can be reduced by up to 70 percent, depending on the field situation and weed pressure.
Holistic system solution with enhanced photonic sensors, automated data analysis, and interpretation
In their “HoPla” collaborative project, the experts from the fields of industry and research will work together to explore and enhance the photonic sensors, automated data analysis, and interpretation for needs-based crop protection as a holistic system solution. The aim is to improve the optical sensor system and processors so that the plants can be identified even faster than with current solutions when passed over with the field sprayer.
These advances will primarily be achieved by reducing the latency of real-time processing on the agricultural machinery and by applying new AI algorithms. Only then will it be possible to identify weeds in fine grains such as wheat and barley both efficiently and cost-effectively.
In addition, the new technology will massively lower the costs involved in the identification and targeted treatment of problematic weeds, which have a significant impact on the crop yields of farmers. As a result, the use of herbicides for such crops, which are particularly prevalent and important in German and European agriculture, can also be optimized significantly.
Joined expertise of specialized partners
Each of the partners is contributing their own individual expertise to the initiative. Bosch and the University of Hohenheim are working together to explore and further the development of the necessary sensors and AI software, while the current state of research is being expanded with the publication of scientific papers for this area. BASF Digital Farming is responsible for developing the digital agronomic decision logic based on its xarvio FIELD MANAGER crop optimization platform, which will help ensure the best and most efficient herbicide treatment. Finally, Amazone is looking into the integration of the sensor system into a field sprayer and the precise execution of the technology’s application decision.
In the event of a successful outcome, the project results are to be introduced to the market directly via the products of the partners Bosch, BASF Digital Farming and Amazone, while the University of Hohenheim will focus on furthering research and education in the field of AI-assisted agricultural technology.
