Abstract
Several researches for site-specific weed control have tried to increase accuracy of weed detection with machine vision technique. However, there is a problem which needs substantial time to perform site-specific spraying. Therefore, new technology for real-time precision spraying system is needed. This research was executed to develope the new technology to estimate weed density and size in real time, and to conduct a real-time site-specific spraying. It would effectively reduce herbicide amounts applied for a crop field. The real-time precision spraying system consisted of a Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) with an error of 2 cm, a machine vision system, a geomagnetic sensor for correction of view point of CCD camera and an automatic sprayer with separately controlled nozzle. The weed density was calculated with comparison between position information and a pre-designed electronic map. The position information was obtained in real time using the DGPS and the machine vision. The electronic map contained a position database of crops automatically constructed when seeding. The developed system was tested on an experimental field of Seoul National University. Success rate of the spraying was about 61%.
