Less intra-row weeds – experiences with a punch planter and a cycloid hoe based on GPS

Summary

Experiences with a punch planter and an intelligent rotary tine weeder are summarized. The objectives were to investigate (1) to what extent punch planting and pre-emergence flame weeding can reduce intra-row weed emergence in direct sown crops like onion, carrot and sugar beet, (2) to what extent an intelligent intra-row weeder, a cycloid hoe based on RTK-GPS technology, can control intra-row weeds without damaging the crop in direct sown crops, (3) and to what extent there exists synergy between punch planting with pre-emergence flame weeding and mechanical
intra-row weeding.