Site-Specific Weed Control to Reduce Herbicide Use

Site-specific weed control, such as patch or band spraying, reduces herbicide use by targeting only infested areas. It integrates real-time sensor detection or GIS-based weed maps with GPS-guided sprayers, and can include economic thresholds to optimize treatment timing. Suitable for pre-sowing, post-emergence, and mechanical or cultural practices, it improves efficiency but faces barriers like high costs and reduced efficacy in uniformly infested fields. Advanced systems capable of species-specific herbicide application—distinguishing broadleaf and grass weeds—represent key progress. Part of the EU-funded OPER 8 project (grant agreement No 101060591).