Device for applying contact resistance reducing media and for applying current to plants

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for the targeted application of contact resistance reducing media and for applying electric current to plants as well as a method for controlling plant growth.

[0002] In agriculture, urban areas, on traffic areas, and in gardens, large quantities of systemic and non-systemic, selective and non-selective chemical herbicides are traditionally used for weed control, plant management, and desiccation of crops. While the number of approved herbicides is generally declining, non-selective herbicides with very broad application areas and high application rates, such as paraquat, glufosinate, diquat, and glyphosate, are being severely restricted or completely banned worldwide. This calls into question the profitability of individual crops, the stability and safety of traffic infrastructure, and, in particular, the maintenance of soil- and climate-friendly cultivation methods with low soil disturbance.

[0003] In addition to being largely residue-free, especially from ingredients regulated under the Plant Protection Products Act, herbicides that can still be used in the future must exhibit the lowest possible acute and chronic toxicity, be as little susceptible to migration to other environmental compartments as possible, have the most environmentally friendly life cycle assessment possible, be compatible with organic farming regulations where possible, and be efficiently applicable in climate-friendly and soil-conserving crop production. A number of substances or mixtures of substances that can be produced directly from natural products or are nature-identical to them demonstrate agriculturally acceptable herbicidal activity when used in sufficient quantities.However, the high price of pelargonic acid or the even higher cost of essential oils make it necessary that these wax-destroying substances are used very sparingly and, accordingly, are often ineffective or are not used at all.

[0004] The mechanism of action of these chemical substances is ultimately more physical than metabolic, as these non-systemic contact herbicides primarily damage the plant surface and plant cells, causing excessive water evaporation and subsequent desiccation. Thus, while the chemical can wet large parts of the plant, it cannot directly attack the roots. Even on thicker stems and leaves with very stable surface layers, the substances are insufficiently effective.

[0005] What all chemical treatment methods have in common is that, especially if the roots are also to be killed, they require time for the substances to be distributed throughout the plant and take effect. This can take up to three weeks. At the same time, chemical residues mean that reseeding or the emergence of plants must be delayed for up to two weeks to avoid damaging subsequent crops. Purely physical methods are even less suitable in many cases, as they often only affect the plant shoot non-systemically and therefore must be applied repeatedly, consume a lot of energy (e.g., lasers, hot air, flame treatment, hot water), or, if they have a systemic effect on the soil, can also damage the soil and climate (e.g., plowing, soil sterilization with heat).

[0006] However, in the literature and in practice, herbicides are also used where, as in desiccation, they are intended to accelerate the drying of individual plant parts (e.g., potato tops, grass blades) without killing the entire plant. Furthermore, there are also possible applications when the plants or other associated organisms are otherwise influenced by electrical current (growth acceleration, insect repellency, etc.).

[0007] It is also known from the specialist literature (LANDTECHNIK 72(4), 2017, 202-213, http: / / DOI:10.15150 / lt.2017.3165) that plants can be severely damaged by the use of hot oil (up to 250°C) sprayed directly onto the leaves with nozzles, as heat transfer to the leaves is far more efficient than with water application (max. 100°C and strong evaporative cooling). These are effective at close range over a larger area than would be possible with hot water droplets. However, even with this non-systemic application, all plant parts to be damaged must come into direct contact with the hot oil droplets. Accordingly, this is clearly a non-systemic contact herbicide, which reaches its physical limits, particularly with thicker stems and densely populated plants. The roots are not damaged.The plants only die if a very large part of the shoots are damaged and they cannot regenerate from roots.

[0008] Furthermore, it has long been known that plants exposed to high-voltage electricity can suffer systemic damage to their water supply system, right down to the roots. In many cases, this can completely kill seed plants, and root weeds can be damaged to such an extent that they can be starved of growth in the medium term. Since the introduction of this method, ways have been sought to keep the applied voltages and energy consumption as low as possible. However, as is common with chemical pesticides, hardly any systematic studies have been conducted, especially not with specific effect-enhancing formulations.Electrophysical methods have not yet established themselves as a standard method for plant control, because, on the one hand, chemical total herbicides have become too inexpensive, and, on the other hand, social and global climate pressure for environmentally and climate-friendly crop production within the framework of soil-conserving overall management has been too low. Furthermore, on the technical side, high voltages and relatively high energy consumption in the field have prevented the production of robust equipment with high impact (working width x driving speed) and sufficient safety.

[0009] Traditionally, metal applicators are used to apply current to minimize the electrical resistance at that point. Furthermore, in some cases, the current circuit is closed not by a second contact with the plants at the opposite pole, but by electrodes cut into the soil to reduce the overall resistance. However, this halves the current flowing through the plants (single instead of double), thus significantly reducing efficiency.

[0010] The use of high voltages also requires large distances and barriers for occupational safety reasons (especially when metallic conductors may be present in the work area, e.g., in a vineyard or in urban applications). The devices are therefore expensive due to complex insulation and disadvantageously large due to increased clearance requirements for creepage distances. The technical and economic feasibility of such devices is therefore limited.

[0011] During the conventional application of electricity to plants, sparks are known to form between the applicator and the plant parts, as well as deposits of an amorphous, slightly water-soluble, dark material on the applicators. It is assumed that plant hairs, bumps, and wax layers on the leaves lead to high contact resistance. The sparks generated by large potential differences between the applicators and plant parts vaporize parts of the wax layers, which are deposited on the applicators, creating additional resistance, thus requiring higher voltages and correspondingly consuming more energy. No deposits occur in wet plants, as the reduced contact resistance apparently prevents spark formation but also seems to greatly reduce the effectiveness in general.

[0012] From years of developing crop protection products, it is known that leaves, with their hydrophobic surface structures, can only be adequately and application-specifically (plant type, plant size) wetted with complex formulations. The electrophysical method has so far encountered particular problems, particularly with grasses, with their often hyperhydrophobic, highly waxy surfaces. These problems are further exacerbated by very closely spaced stalks mixed with dead stalks (especially tussock grasses and rushes).

[0013] Further devices and methods for applying electricity to plants are known from FR 2 473 265 A1, FR 2 492 631 A1 and WO 2019 / 052591 A1.

[0014] The task is to effectively apply current to different plants with the lowest possible contact resistance.

[0015] This object is achieved by a device according to claim 1, a vehicle according to claim 14, and a method according to claim 15. Further advantageous embodiments and refinements of the invention emerge from the subclaims, the figures, and the exemplary embodiments. The embodiments of the invention can be advantageously combined within the scope of the claims.

[0016] A first aspect of the invention relates to a device for applying electrical current to plants, comprising at least two modules, wherein a first module has at least one application device for applying a medium that reduces an electrical contact resistance to plants, and a second module has at least one application device for applying electrical current to plants, wherein in the region of the first module and / or the second module at least one sensor system is arranged, which has one or more sensors selected from the group consisting of optical sensors, lidar, height sensors, motion sensors, thermal sensors, current measuring sensors, and sensors that are designed to detect mechanical stresses.

[0017] The device according to the invention advantageously enables the use of substances that act not on metabolic chemistry, but only on the leaves, in combination with an electrophysical treatment, e.g., to kill weeds or cover crops in a single pass during a single field pass and reseed immediately or at very short notice. This saves costs and the growing days that are scarce in many regions of the world. Furthermore, the effectiveness of weed control is significantly increased, as the fast-germinating crops have a much greater opportunity to compete with weeds for light through early emergence. This is particularly advantageous compared to soil-moving weed control methods because, in the combination method described here, no seeds are stimulated to germinate again by light, etc.

[0018] Furthermore, the device advantageously allows for the wetting and electrification of large areas of plants with hyperhydrophobic, highly waxy surfaces (e.g. grasses) and closely spaced plants by applying a medium that specifically reduces the electrical contact resistance (also called "electrohybrid medium").

[0019] By applying the contact resistance-reducing medium, the contact resistance between the applicator and the main phase of the plant is reduced at multiple points through all intermediate layers (e.g., air gap, spacing leaf hairs, wax layer, uppermost cell layers) at one or more intermediate layers by bridging, softening, damaging, or removing them. This advantageously enables a systemic, plant-damaging effect partially or down to the roots with low energy expenditure. The invention thus also increases the energy efficiency of a current-applying process.

[0020] A contact resistance-reducing medium is a substance or mixture of substances whose properties actively facilitate the transmission of electrical current to a plant by reducing contact resistance through the applicator and leaf layers. The medium is therefore also referred to as an electrohybrid medium. The contact resistance-reducing medium can be, for example, an aqueous liquid, a viscous liquid, e.g., oil, a highly concentrated solution, emulsion, or suspension, a thixotropic liquid, a solid, or a foam, but is not limited to this list. Furthermore, the advantageously reduced voltage increases occupational safety, and fewer protective devices are required. Furthermore, the areas of elevated voltage potential in the soil are also reduced.This allows the already acute impact on soil organisms to be further reduced, while also allowing the use of cables on and in the soil with lower levels of protection against breakdown. Low-energy devices can also be significantly lighter, operated by smaller tractors, and thus used in row-crop cultivation, particularly gentle on the soil and with minimal soil compression. They can also have larger working widths with the same power, thus requiring fewer field passes only in standard lanes.

[0021] The device according to the invention advantageously enables the weakening or termination of undesirable plant growth without specific losses of effectiveness on resistant genotypes and without requiring approval for individual crops. According to the invention, a contact resistance-reducing medium is applied to specific areas of the plants to be controlled via the application device, where electricity is then applied to the plants using the application device. The invention enables flexible application of electricity for different weed sizes and species.

[0022] In contrast to the treatment of plants with conventional pesticides, which are distributed throughout the entire plant by widespread application or physiological distribution, the device according to the invention enables local contact with current in selected plant parts and then physical systemic transmission and effect throughout the entire plant, whereby only the contact areas need to be wetted by the contact resistance-reducing medium. The application of the potentially highly viscous medium must be highly controllable, selectively superficial, and in the same direction as the applicator arrangement (e.g., from above or from the side).The effectiveness of the invention is also achieved by the fact that, unlike a conventional active ingredient, the current penetrates the leaves not through diffusion across the entire surface, but rather selectively at points where both the air gap between the applicator and the leaf and the wax layers or other barrier layers are bridged or destroyed by the medium. Accordingly, it is important for surface-modifying effects that these reach the leaf surface, but at the same time, the layer thickness necessary for bridging must be maintained through viscosity, thixotropy, or liquid cooling. A broadening of the contact area can then still be achieved through mechanical contact with the electrical applicator.

[0023] The application device is preferably connected to a heat source. This advantageously enables the warming or heating of the contact resistance-reducing medium. For example, hot oil destroys the wax layer before or during the electrophysical treatment in the areas that come into contact with the electrical applicators. The necessary dosed spraying of small amounts of hot oil (0.5 - 20 l / ha, preferably 2 - 10 l / ha) only onto the upper leaf areas greatly reduces the application rate compared to the conventional method of killing plants by applying hot oil over large areas, because the electrophysical treatment then already has a systemic effect when the resistance of the contact surfaces is low. The heat source can be, for example, an electric heating element, or advantageously the waste heat from a vehicle with the device in the form of cooling water and exhaust gases, e.g. a tractor.Exhaust gas streams from diesel tractors after all exhaust treatment systems are typically between 250 and 300°C. This is a similar temperature range to the smoke point of readily biodegradable oils. The storage unit and the supply pipes of the application unit advantageously function as heat exchangers, transferring the heat to the medium.

[0024] The application device is preferably designed to dose the contact resistance-reducing medium. If too much is applied, the current flows ineffectively through the outside of the plants directly into the soil. Therefore, full or complete wetting of the plant is counterproductive. In this context, highly concentrated solutions can be advantageously applied by dosing. Such application devices are particularly suitable and important for hot oils and concentrates, since these are applied only in small quantities.

[0025] A commercially available example of such a low-water distribution device for low-viscosity cold liquids is segmented rotary nozzles from MANKAR® and ULV sprayers from Mantis ULV. Therefore, the application device of the device according to the invention is preferably designed as a nozzle (generally and not limited to rotary nozzles).

[0026] The nozzle is preferably designed as a bypass nozzle. This design advantageously prevents spray losses of the contact resistance-reducing medium when the hot medium is applied directly to the plants, as the small droplet size and airstream allow the droplets to drift and cool. In a bypass nozzle or a similar design, the droplet mist is tubular or preferably surrounded by two layers of hot gas flow flowing in the same direction and as laminarly as possible. This gas flow can be at ambient temperature, but is preferably heated by the hot exhaust stream of a tractor, as described above.

[0027] Preferably, the application device is arranged so that it can move. This advantageously allows the contact resistance-reducing medium to be applied from different directions, e.g., from above or from the side.

[0028] The application device is preferably designed as a scraper. This makes the application device advantageously suitable for use in large-area applications at high speed and with heterogeneous plant heights. The scrapers increase the accuracy when applying the medium and accordingly reduce the amount of medium required on the leaves accessible to the electric applicators. Furthermore, medium drift is counteracted and the complexity of the medium can be reduced. The medium can be transferred to the plants either by cold or heated scrapers with kinematics similar to those of the electric applicators. The scrapers can be designed as an alternative to the nozzles. The application device can also be designed as both a scraper and a nozzle. These can then be arranged alternately, for example. A combination of nozzle and scraper in close proximity is particularly advantageous, e.g.by arranging the nozzles on the scrapers. The medium can be sprayed onto scrapers, which are very similar in shape to the electric applicators, over very short distances. To greatly increase the speed of the wax layer destruction, one version of the device, for example, heats the oil before spraying and transfers heat to the scraper. The scrapers are either made of a material with poor heat conduction or are insulated on the side facing away from the plant.

[0029] By means of the heat source of the device, the scrapers can be heated either exclusively or additionally (preferably with the exhaust stream of a tractor) in order to heat the wax layer and leaf surface of the leaves either in general or additionally via their hot surface.

[0030] In a further embodiment, the application device is preferably connected to an additional high-voltage source. This embodiment is particularly suitable for spray substances that are easily electrostatically charged. Plants in the immediate vicinity of the electrophysical high-voltage treatment become electrostatically charged due to the soil potential. This observation advantageously allows for the medium to also be charged, so that it settles and discharges as far as possible on the nearest leaves.

[0031] The first and second modules can be arranged very close to each other, allowing the application device to apply the contact resistance-reducing medium directly in front of or directly onto the electrical applicators of the application device. The contact resistance-reducing medium can therefore be applied directly to the plants or indirectly via the application device.

[0032] In a further preferred embodiment of the device, the application device is arranged such that the contact resistance-reducing medium can be applied directly to the application device. In this embodiment, the contact resistance-reducing medium is applied indirectly to the plants via the application device. This embodiment is particularly, but not exclusively, suitable for low spray dosages and very fast contact resistance-reducing media. In this case, current can be applied directly.

[0033] The application device is preferably also connected to a heat source. The heat source can be the same as for the application device, i.e. electrical or based on waste heat (exhaust gas, cooling water from the engine / generator) of the respective vehicle. This design is particularly advantageous for plants known for their high resistance (e.g. thistles, orache, stinging nettles). Cold and even frost make the use of purely chemical treatment methods practically impossible in many cases. At the same time, however, it is optimal for the control of green manure if it can be killed when the ground freezes. This generally allows the farmer more flexibility in scheduling, accelerates equipment amortisation through multiple uses on larger areas and reduces soil compression. Since the non-dead, winter-hardy plants inside the plant, due to general salts and special antifreeze agents (glycerin, etc.), are still liquid and conductive, it is only important to make possible frost layers on the leaves and hard wax layers caused by cold temperatures vulnerable by increasing the temperature and to increase the reaction speeds to destroy the wax layer.

[0034] At least one sensor system is arranged in the area of ​​each of the first and / or second modules, comprising one or more sensors selected from the group consisting of optical sensors, lidar, height sensors, motion sensors, thermal sensors, current sensors, and sensors designed to detect mechanical stresses. The use of sensors in patchy or highly heterogeneous growth advantageously enables growth-controlled application, with the application rate being controlled either by separate sensors for plant detection (e.g., fluorescence sensors / cameras, multispectral / hyperspectral cameras) or by current flow and voltage measurements at the applicators or other voltage measuring devices upstream of the application device for the contact resistance-reducing medium.Furthermore, the performance of the cameras can be significantly improved through the use of AI techniques and the evaluation of three-dimensional reconstructed images based on individual data or cumulative data from multiple sensor systems (camera, lidar, height sensors, etc.) operating in multiple frequency ranges (e.g., multispectral cameras or laser-based height measurement via chlorophyll fluorescence).

[0035] Particularly preferred are sensor systems that measure the current flow, deflection angle, bending, etc. in the application devices, also referred to as applicators, of the second module or perform similar measurements in upstream applicator-like application devices of the first module. According to the invention, small pulsed currents are passed through the application devices, and the respective current flow or resistance is measured and used as a measure of plant growth. Temperature sensors can also detect the cooling of heated applicators, which can be used as a measure of the passing of plants, and the media can be dosed accordingly.

[0036] All sensors use RFID analogue ( radio frequency identification,Sensor systems (German: Identification using electromagnetic waves) are preferably used on the individual applicators. These systems detect currents contactlessly and wirelessly, measure applicator temperatures, detect voltages caused by bending, deflections, and position changes, and transmit them to a central measuring unit via an RFID-based radio system. This advantageously eliminates the traditional problems caused by the necessary high-voltage insulation of sensor cables and sensor probes, which would have to be installed flexibly in the highly mechanically stressed applicator area. The data recorded by the sensors is also advantageously suitable for use in precision agriculture. This data can also be stored for use in precision agriculture.

[0037] Preferably, the application device has a transition element with gradually or stepped increasing resistance at the end facing the plant. This advantageously counteracts the occurrence of sparks when the plants are separated from the current flow, which can ignite flammable material and potentially damage cables or other objects at the point of impact. Therefore, transition elements with increasing resistance are inserted at the ends of the metal sections. These transition elements are preferably porous and thus absorb moisture or have such good thermal conductivity that they can actively cool arcs using steam or cooling.

[0038] In the device according to the invention, the application device is preferably designed to execute, in addition to the travel movement, a movement of its own in, against, or transverse to the travel movement. This embodiment advantageously enables the minimization of shadowing effects, which occur particularly in very densely growing grass-like plants. This embodiment is particularly suitable for application devices designed in the form of a harrow or a brush, and furthermore particularly when using a highly viscous medium or a foam. The application device can operate in a height-selective manner and / or be moved sideways, circularly, or elliptically to improve effectiveness. For this purpose, mechanical guides and corresponding drive elements can be provided, for example.In addition to harrow-type devices, brushes with an inclined axis (not perpendicular to the direction of travel) and units with kinematics similar to hay tedders (e.g. star wheel rakes or belt rakes) are suitable for comprehensively combing through the grass to be treated.

[0039] In addition to application devices rotating in the same direction to avoid shadowing effects, application devices rotating in opposite directions are particularly advantageous, especially brushes assigned to one or different poles to increase the efficiency of the current application.

[0040] Preferably, the second module has at least one metallic protective disc with lateral, edge-free electrical insulation. Similar, but only mechanically acting protective discs are known from hoeing technology, with which the crop is shielded from dust and flying soil in high-speed hoeing systems and ideally at the same time the leaves of the crop are either lifted or pressed to the ground so that the hoe cannot tear out the entire plant if it overhangs a large amount. The protective disc according to the invention, in which the metallic middle section is insulated on both sides by up to a few millimeters (preferably 2 - 10) from the outer edge, prevents weed leaves from transmitting voltage to the protective disc and then on to the crop. The insulation is either permanently attached to the protective disc or runs as an additional, smaller disc on the same axis.If the discs are not force-fitted, slightly larger insulating discs with a larger axle hole can also be used. This ensures that the front and rear edges of the metal disc are always covered and do not come into electrical contact with plants. Alternatively, insulating protective surfaces can be installed on the front edge or side of the applicator, or insulating protective discs running to the right and left of the metal disc with a separate axle are possible.

[0041] The metal cutting wheel is permanently and safely grounded. It either cuts off the blade it passes over, thereby isolating it from the crop, or it presses the blade or stem into the soil so hard and sharply that the electrical connection to the soil and / or cutting wheel conducts an electrical voltage directly into the soil and not into the crop. This type of grounding is also suitable as a safety device, keeping the high voltage specifically within the device and minimizing its impact on the area outside the working area. Depending on the subsoil, it may be advisable to favor the cutting or pressing effect and, if necessary, replace the metal cutting edge with a wide-contact disc or track wheel and maximize surface conductivity with a highly electrically conductive surface.

[0042] A second aspect of the invention relates to a vehicle with a device according to the invention. The vehicle is advantageously a tractor or another mobile, possibly modular, vehicle that can be moved across fields and supplied with power. However, other vehicles, including rail vehicles, are also suitable for moving the device across the areas to be treated. This includes airborne and hand-pushed vehicles. The vehicle advantageously serves as a carrier system, power source, and drive source, and can be designed as a self-propelled vehicle or a trailer.

[0043] A third aspect of the invention relates to a method for applying electric current to plants to exert a herbicidal effect by means of a device according to the invention, comprising the steps: targeted application of a contact resistance reducing medium to plants, application of electric current to the plants wetted by the medium, whereby the plants are mechanically preconditioned and / or post-treated.

[0044] The advantages of the method correspond to the advantages of the device according to the invention, insofar as they are not limited to pure method features.

[0045] Advantageously, the contact resistance-reducing medium is selected from the group consisting of an aqueous liquid, an oily liquid, a viscous liquid, a highly viscous liquid, a highly concentrated solution, a thixotropic liquid, a suspension, an emulsion, a solid, a foam, and mixtures of the aforementioned components. Viscous liquids, especially highly viscous liquids, as well as foams, are particularly advantageous for counteracting the medium from running down vertical plant structures, e.g., when minimizing shading effects.

[0046] Preferably, the amount of contact resistance-reducing medium applied is controlled depending on the electrical conductivity of the plant and / or soil in the area of ​​the application device and / or application unit. The amount is dosed such that the outer, resistive plant organs (spines, leaf hairs, wax layers, cuticle) are chemically / physically weakened, bypassed, or destroyed where the electrophysical applicators contact the plant, thus exerting a systemic effect on the entire plant.

[0047] In the method according to the invention, the contact resistance-reducing medium, the application device, and / or the application device are preferably heated to a maximum of the main boiling point of the contact resistance-reducing medium. Electrical devices or exhaust heat from the corresponding vehicle are used for this purpose. The heat transferred to plant leaves destroys wax structures or wax-solidified and wax-covered structures on the leaf surface. The melting wax structures intensify the destruction process and further increase the destabilization of the leaf structures, particularly when oil or oil- or fatty acid-containing substances are used as the contact resistance-reducing medium. The oil film also reduces the evaporation of water directly after the application of the oil and thus the rapid cooling of the leaf areas, which is advantageous for electrical treatment of the leaves after an interval of seconds.The destabilized leaf structures, without wax or other structures acting as insulators or spacers, are then penetrable by the electrical applicators with 20–90% lower electrical resistance than untreated leaf structures. Since waxes are continuously cleaned by the electrical applicators through the oil addition and the water released from the leaves with the help of the abrasive forces of the passing leaves, contact resistances decrease further, which lowers the voltage and increases the current, which promotes destructive action. Additional heating of the electrical applicators is particularly advantageous for large plants known for their high resistance (e.g., thistles, orache, nettles).

[0048] Preferably, in the method according to the invention, the contact resistance-reducing medium is electrically charged. This takes advantage of the fact that plants in the immediate vicinity of the electrophysical high-voltage treatment are electrostatically charged due to the soil potential. The charged medium, e.g., in droplet form, settles on the nearest leaves as far as possible and is discharged. For this purpose, the nozzles and the normally conductive spray boom are electrically charged on the plants in the opposite direction to the nearest current applicator, if direct current is used. In other words, the substance mixtures to be applied are electrically charged by applying high voltage to the spray modules so that they are deposited more precisely on the oppositely charged plant parts. The charging is carried out using high voltage, as is also used in pasture fences.Care is taken to ensure that the maximum available energy in the event of accidental contact by a person remains so low that no danger to humans arises.

[0049] In the method according to the invention, the plants are additionally mechanically preconditioned and / or post-treated. The plants are advantageously further damaged directly before or after the electrophysical treatment, for example, by mowing, cutting, rolling, bending, breaking, brushing, or plucking. These measures work synergistically with the current application according to the invention for destroying plants.

[0050] The medium that reduces the electrical contact resistance is described in more detail below.

[0051] The medium comprises at least one component that reduces the electrical contact resistance in the area of ​​the plant surface. This component is preferably at least a first component containing at least one surface-active substance selected from the group consisting of surfactants, or at least a second component containing at least one viscosity-increasing substance selected from the group consisting of pure silicas, pyrogenic silicas, mixed oxides, magnesium phyllosilicates, organic additives based on biogenic oils and their derivatives, polyamides, and modified carbohydrates.

[0052] The at least one first component is preferably present in a mixture with the at least one second component. Commercially available products contain such a mixture, such as the products Kantor (manufacturer: agroplanta GmbH & Co. KG, Zustorf, Germany) and Hasten (manufacturer: ADAMA Deutschland GmbH, Cologne, Germany).

[0053] The medium advantageously enables hydrophobic plant surface structures and insulating air gaps to be overcome, thereby increasing the electrical conductivity between an electrical applicator and a plant and thus allowing electrical current to be applied to the plant more effectively.

[0054] Due to its properties, the medium enables the transmission of electrical current to a plant with significantly reduced resistance compared to applying electrical current to plants using only solid, usually metallic applicators. The medium enables both reduced resistance overcoming structures on the applicators (unevenness, adhesions) and on the plant that disrupt the current flow, such as air layers (exacerbated by hairs, leaf irregularities, and spines), and more effective conduction of current in the materials and layers being passed through, resulting in a systemic, plant-damaging effect partially or even down to the roots with low energy expenditure. The medium thus increases the effectiveness of a current-application process.

[0055] The medium is also referred to as a contact resistance-reducing medium. The medium can be, for example, an aqueous liquid, a viscous liquid, a highly viscous liquid, an oil, a highly concentrated solution, a thixotropic liquid, a suspension, an emulsion, a solid, or a foam, but is not limited to these.

[0056] The first component is also referred to as component A. The surfactant from the group of surfactants advantageously includes nonionic surfactants and ionic surfactants with high biodegradability. These surfactants have a beneficial effect on wetting a plant surface. While almost all surfactants can be used, substance classes and products with high biodegradability and compatibility with organic farming are preferred: nature-identical or nature-like biosurfactants, preferably industrially available nonionic sugar surfactants such as alkyl polyglucosides (APGs), sucrose esters, other sugar esters, methyl glycoside esters, ethyl glycoside esters, N-methylglucamides, or sorbitan esters (e.g., from Solverde), amphoteric surfactants such as cocoamidopropyl betaine (CAPB), or anionic surfactants (e.g., sodium lauryl sulfate from Solverde).

[0057] Further exemplary compounds of component A are listed below. These lists, including those of the other components, are not exhaustive, but rather represent compounds with analogous effects within the meaning of the invention, in this case, surface-active effects: - Non-ionic sugar surfactants:

[0058] Alkyl polyglucosides (APGs): The alkyl radicals have 4 to 40 carbon atoms of all possible isomers. They preferably consist of linear chains with a majority of 8 to 14 carbon atoms, such as those found in fatty acid alcohols produced from palm oil. Glucosides are isomers and aminomers with 1 to 15 sugar units, preferably glucose with a degree of polymerization between 1 and 5 units, or other sugar esters such as sucrose (sucrose esters) and sorbitans (sorbitan esters). Glycoside esters: Esters with C1-C14 alcohols, all isomers, including unsaturated ones, and additionally functionalized with carboxylic acid, aldehyde groups, and alcohol groups, preferably methyl and ethyl glycoside esters. N-Methylglucamides with carbon chains C1-C30 all isomers, also unsaturated and additionally functionalized with carboxylic acid, aldehyde groups and alcohol groups, preferably linear alkyl chains C2-C15. - Amphoteric surfactants:

[0059] Cocoamidopropyl betaine (CAPB) with carbon chains C1 - C30 all isomers, also unsaturated and additionally functionalized with carboxylic acid, aldehyde groups and alcohol groups, preferably linear alkyl chains C2-C15. Anionic surfactants:

[0060] Sodium lauryl sulfate is used as an example of an anionic surfactant. However, mixtures with various alkyl radicals (C4-C20) of LAS (linear alkylbenzenesulfonates), SAS (secondary alkanesulfonates), FAS (fatty alcohol sulfates), and soaps can also be used.

[0061] The second component is also referred to as component B. The viscosity-increasing substance is preferably a thixotropic substance or a mixture of organic or inorganic rheological additives. The substances of component B advantageously have a high level of biocompatibility or degradability, so that they are compatible with organic farming. The substances or compounds mentioned are, for example: pure or pyrogenic silicas, e.g. Sipernat or Aerosil from Evonik; mixed oxides, e.g. magnesium aluminum silicates such as attapulgite (®< Attagel from BASF Formulation Additives); magnesium layer silicates, e.g. bentonites or hectorites (e.g. Optigel or Garamite from BYK); organic additives based on biogenic oils such as castor oil or soybean oil: e.g. Polythix from FINMA; from the synthetic sector, polyamides, e.g. polyacrylamides, e.g. Disparlon from King Industries; starch; modified celluloses, e.g.Methylcellulose, gum arabic, carmellose sodium, caragen, carbomer, hydroxy(m)ethylcellulose, polyanionic cellulose, saccharides, tragacanth, pregelatinized starch or xanthan gum.

[0062] The biogenic oil is preferably selected from the group consisting of rapeseed oil, sunflower oil, coconut oil, castor oil and soybean oil.

[0063] The derivatives of the oils can be, for example, their salts or esters.

[0064] The viscosity-increasing substance is preferably also the component that reduces the electrical contact resistance in the area of ​​the plant surface.

[0065] Preferably, in addition to component A and / or component B, the medium comprises at least one further component which comprises at least one conductivity-increasing substance selected from the group consisting of inorganic salts, carbon, humic substances, chelated iron, other chelated metal ions and further metal ions with complexing agents. This component is also referred to as component C. The said substances and / or substance mixtures of component C are, for example: inorganic salts: magnesium sulfate, Na / K 2 SO 4 ; carbon: amorphous or graphitic modifications such as graphite suspensions from CP Graphite Products, graphene or tube-like carbon modifications, preferably also ground biochar such as Biochar500+ from E-gos; counterions to the salts used in the components of the substance mixture according to the invention: e.g. Na +< , K +< , Mg 2+< , Ca 2+< ; humic substances: e.g.Liqhumus from Humintech; chelated iron: e.g., Humiron from Humintech; metal ions chelated with GLDA (tetrasodium N, N-bis(carboxylatomethyl)-L-glutamate, e.g., from Solverde) or other biodegradable compounds, preferably iron. The metal ions can also be complexed with other complexing agents from the group of multidentate complexing agents. Instead of iron, other divalent or trivalent metal ions can be used.

[0066] When considering conductivity-enhancing substances, it should be noted that only inorganic salts and the inorganic counterions of organic substances are responsible for the classic increase in the conductivity of a solution. Carbon derivatives and higher-molecular-weight humic substances in particular increase the conductivity of leaf surfaces, even in solid mixtures, e.g., in the dried state of a contact resistance-reducing medium. Such drying processes occur very quickly, for example, when contact resistance-reducing media are applied with little water dilution, especially on hot days, or when the liquid films are distributed over a larger area of ​​the leaf surface by the applicators. Therefore, a specific increase in conductivity is particularly advantageous within the meaning of the invention.

[0067] In addition to component A and / or component B, the medium preferably comprises at least one further component, which is at least one hygroscopic or evaporation-reducing substance selected from the group consisting of oils, microgels, and polyalcohols. This component is also referred to as component D. The substances and / or substance mixtures of component D are, for example: Oils: rapeseed oil, sunflower oil, olive oil (optionally hot-pressed fractions to increase stability), also finished rapeseed oil products such as Micula from Evergreen Garden Care; Microgels: acrylic acid gels (superabsorbents); Polyalcohols: glycerin.

[0068] In addition to component A and / or component B, the medium preferably comprises at least one further component containing at least one wax-softening substance selected from the group consisting of oils, esters, alcohols, polypeptides, and alkoxylated triglycerides. This component is also referred to as component E. The said substances and / or substance mixtures of component E are, for example: Oils: rapeseed oil, sunflower oil, olive oil (optionally hot-pressed fractions to increase stability), also finished rapeseed oil products such as Micula from Evergreen Garden Care; Esters: fatty acid esters (esters with alcohols C1 - C10 of all isomers, including unsaturated ones and additionally functionalized with carboxylic acid, aldehyde groups, and alcohol groups), also finished products such as HASTEN (Vicchem), a rapeseed oil ethyl ester; alkoxylated triglycerides: also as the finished product KANTOR from Agroplanta.

[0069] Preferably, in addition to component A and / or component B, the medium comprises at least one further component which contains at least one physically phytotoxic substance and / or wax layer-dissolving substance selected from the group consisting of carboxylic acids, terpenes, aromatic oils, alkalis, functionalized polypeptides, inorganic alkalis, and organic alkalis. This component is also referred to as component F. Physically phytotoxic substances are understood here to mean, in particular, substances that non-specifically or specifically destroy the wax layer of a plant, as well as substances with other phytotoxic effects. The said substances and / or substance mixtures of component F are, for example: Carboxylic acids: Pelargonic acid (C9) (e.g.Pelargonic acid in Finalsan from Neudorff) or other branched or unbranched carboxylic acids with shorter (<C9), gleich langem (=C9) oder längeren (> C9) linear or branched saturated or mono- or polyunsaturated carbon chains (e.g., caproic acid, caprylic acid, and capric acid). These carbon chains can be mono- or polyfunctionalized with additional functional groups such as alcohols, aldehydes, or carboxylic acid groups. Terpenes: terpene-containing oils; aromatic oils: citronell oil (also available in ready-to-use products from Barrier / UK), eugenol, e.g., from clove oil (also available in ready-to-use products such as Skythe / USA), pine oil (also available in ready-to-use products from Sustainable Formulations), peppermint oils (e.g., Biox-M from Certis); alkalis: inorganic alkalis (e.g., NaOH, KOH) or organic alkalis (e.g., salts of fatty acids or humic acids, e.g., Liqhumus from Humintech).

[0070] Component E can also be used to destroy the wax layer (i.e., as component F). For this to happen, component E must be sufficiently hot. Preferably, high-boiling organic substances with a low or no water content are used. Hot oil is particularly preferred.

[0071] In addition to component A and / or component B, the medium preferably comprises at least one further component for increasing adhesion, which contains at least one adhesion-promoting substance and / or at least one adhesion-enhancing substance. The adhesion-promoting substance is selected from the group of foaming agents consisting of surfactants, proteins and their derivatives. The adhesion-enhancing substance (by further increasing the viscosity) is selected from the group consisting of organic rheological additives, inorganic rheological additives (preferably with high biological compatibility), pure silicas, pyrogenic silicas, mixed oxides, magnesium phyllosilicates, organic additives based on biogenic oils and their derivatives, and polyamides. This component is also referred to as component G. Component G brings about limited movement or distribution of the mixture of substances on a corresponding plant orseveral, densely spaced plants.

[0072] The surfactants can be nonionic or anionic surfactants, e.g., foam markers from Kramp or protein foaming agents from Dr. Sthamer. Examples of other adhesion-promoting substances and / or substance mixtures in component G include: pure or fumed silicas: Sipernat or Aerosil from Evonik; mixed oxides: magnesium aluminum silicates, e.g., attapulgite (®< Attagel from BASF Formulation Additives); magnesium phyllosilicates; bentonites or hectorites (e.g., Optigel or Garamite from BYK); organic additives based on biogenic oils such as castor oil or soybean oil: Polythix from FINMA; polyamides: Disparlon from King Industries.

[0073] The biogenic oil is preferably selected from the group consisting of rapeseed oil, sunflower oil, coconut oil, castor oil and soybean oil.

[0074] The derivatives of the oils can be, for example, their salts or esters.

[0075] Preferably, in addition to component A and / or component B, the medium comprises at least one further component containing at least one ionization-promoting substance selected from the group consisting of inorganic salts, carbon, humic substances, chelated iron, and other chelated metal ions. This component is also referred to as component H. Examples of further substances and / or substance mixtures of component H are: inorganic salts: Na / K 2 SO 4 or others, counterions to the salts of organic acids used (Na+, K+); carbon: amorphous or graphitic modifications such as graphite suspensions from CP Graphite Products, graphene, or tubular carbon modifications, preferably also ground biochar such as Biochar500+ from Egos; humic substances: Liqhumus from Humintech; chelated iron: Humiron from Humintech, with GLDA (tetrasodium N, N-bis(carboxylatomethyl)-L-glutamate, e.g.from Solverde) or other biodegradable compounds chelated metal ions, preferably iron.

[0076] In addition to component A and / or component B, the medium preferably comprises at least one further component containing at least one carrier liquid selected from the group consisting of water, organic liquids, vegetable oils, esters of vegetable oils, and fatty acid esters. This component is also referred to as component I. The carrier liquids are advantageously suitable for diluting the substance mixture. Examples of the substances and / or substance mixtures of component I are: Organic liquids: vegetable oils; esters of vegetable oils (esters with alcohols C1 - C10, all isomers, including unsaturated ones, and additionally functionalized with carboxylic acid, aldehyde groups, and alcohol groups) and fatty acid esters (esters of fatty acids C4 - C30, including all isomers, including unsaturated fatty acids with alcohols C1 - C10, including all isomers, including unsaturated ones, and additionally functionalized with carboxylic acid, aldehyde groups, and alcohol groups).

[0077] In addition to component A and / or component B, the medium preferably comprises at least one further component containing at least one substance that stabilizes storage stability or a tank mix. This component is also referred to as component J. The substances and / or substance mixtures of component J are, for example, emulsifiers such as poloxamer (BASF), medium-chain triglycerides, and / or biocides, preferably substances with high biodegradability.

[0078] As can be seen from the components described, there are some substances that fulfill multiple functions, i.e., they can be used in different components, and are therefore preferred. These include humic substances, vegetable oils and their esters (esters with C1-C25 alcohols of all isomers, including unsaturated ones, and additionally functionalized with carboxylic acid, aldehyde groups, and alcohol groups, preferably fatty alcohols from natural sources), and conductivity-enhancing components.

[0079] Depending on the application objective, the medium is preferably composed of the following components (optional components are listed in brackets, which can be added further depending on the application objective): a) Application objective: wetting: mixtures of A + B (+C / D / H / I / J); b) Application objective: specific increase in surface conductivity: mixtures of A + B + C (+D / H / I / J); c) Application objective: softening of the wax layer: mixtures of A + B + E (+C / D / H / I / J); d) Application objective: destruction of the wax layer: mixtures of A + B + F (+C / D / H / I / J); e) Application objective: bridging resistances: mixtures of A + B + G (+C / D / H / I / J); f) Component H is only used if the electrostatic charge of plants and medium can be utilized; g) Other combinations of A + B with components C / D / E / F / G / H / I / J can be used to achieve combined effects to increase effectiveness.

[0080] For the destruction of the wax layer before or during electrophysical treatment, destruction with heated media in general, and especially with hot oil (in component E), is advantageous in the areas that come into contact with the electrical applicators. The required metered spraying of small amounts of hot oil (0.5-20 l / ha, preferably 2-10 l / ha) only onto the upper leaf areas significantly reduces the application rate compared to the (conventional) sole destruction of the plants with hot oil, because the electrophysical treatment then has a systemic effect with low resistance.

[0081] Preferably, in addition to component A and / or component B, the medium comprises at least one further component, wherein the further component comprises component C, component E and / or component F. Components C, E and F are particularly effective, both individually and in combination, in reducing the electrical contact resistance in the region of the plant surface. The contact resistance is significantly reduced compared to a treatment without the medium by the increase in conductivity in layers in the region of the plant surface (component C), by the softening (softening) of the layers in the region of the plant surface (component E) and / or by the dissolution (destruction) of the layers in the region of the plant surface (component F).

[0082] As component C, the medium preferably contains humic substances and / or chelated iron, with the chelated iron preferably being iron chelated by humic acids. As component F, the medium preferably contains fatty acids, mixtures of fatty acids, and / or alkalized humic substances, with the fatty acids preferably being present in alkalized and / or chelated form.

[0083] Particularly preferably, the medium comprises at least one further component in addition to component A and / or component B, wherein the further component is component C and / or component E.

[0084] Preferably, the medium comprises at least one further component in addition to component A and / or component B, wherein the further component is component C, component D and / or component E.

[0085] Instead of component A and / or component B, the medium can preferably comprise at least two components selected from the group consisting of component C, component E and component F. As already described, component C contains at least one conductivity-increasing substance selected from the group consisting of inorganic salts, carbon, humic substances, chelated iron, other chelated metal ions and metal ions with complexing agents, component E contains at least one wax-softening substance selected from the group consisting of oils, esters, alcohols, polypeptides and alkoxylated triglycerides, and component F contains at least one physico-phytotoxic and / or wax layer-dissolving substance selected from the group consisting of carboxylic acids, terpenes, aromatic oils, alkalis, functionalized polypeptides, inorganic alkalis and organic alkalis.

[0086] Particularly preferably, the medium comprises either component C and component E or component C and component F.

[0087] The medium may preferably comprise at least one further component, wherein the further component is selected from the group consisting of a component A, a component B, a component D, a component G, a component H, a component I and a component J.

[0088] Preferred media for specific uses are described below. The component name refers to the components described above. Preferred substances from this group are then named in further columns. The total application volume is preferably 10 - 200 l / ha (water-based) or 30 - 200 l / ha (water-based) or 10 - 300 l / ha (water-based) or 5 - 30 l / ha (oil-based), depending on the crop height, with the aim of reaching only the uppermost leaf layer that can be reached by applicators. The application rate refers to full-surface treatment when spraying onto closed plant canopy. If more than one component is specified for a purpose, these components can be used alone or as a mixture until the total application rate is reached. If alternative ranges are necessary for the specified quantities, these are described separately. The media carrier is water orVegetable oil-based components are not listed in the table, as they always serve to supplement the order volume.

[0089] Table 1 summarizes water-based media. These are specifically designed for use on dicotyledonous plants. Table 1 Component name function Application rate to be set general kg / ha Substance class according to list Component name Application rate to be set preferably kg / ha preferred substance classes Application rate to be set Specific kg / ha preferred substance class A surfactant 0 --4 0 - 2 APGs, sucrose esters, CAPB 0.2 - 0.5 sugar esters, CAPB B Thickener 0 - 5 0 - 3 silicas mixed oxide silicates layered silicates, mod. celluloses 0-2 silicas mixed oxide silicates layered silicates C Conductivity enhancer 1 - 10 1 - 10 sulfates, humic substances, chelated iron (GLDA) 1 - 10 humic substances, chelated iron, chelated with humic acids, alkalized D Reduces evaporation 0,1 - 10 0.1 -5 vegetable oils / vegetable oil esters 0.1 - 2 vegetable oils E Wax layer softening 0,1 -40 0.2 - 20, oils, polypeptides, fatty acid esters, carboxylic acid 0.5 - 10 oils, fatty acid esters, carboxylic acids F Wax layer destroyer 0 - 40 0 - 20 fatty acids, (pelargonic acid only in dosages of 0 - 50% of the amounts permitted in plant protection products for the respective crop) terpene oils, alkalized humic substances, iron-containing metal soaps 0 - 10, non-toxic carboxylic acids, iron-containing metal soaps, alkalized humic substances

[0090] Table 2 summarizes oil-based media. These are primarily intended for use on dicotyledonous plants. Table 2 Component name function Application rate to be set general kg / ha Substance class according to list Component name Application rate to be set preferably kg / ha preferred substance classes Application rate to be set Specific kg / ha preferred substance class A Surfactant 0 - 2 0 - 1 APGs, sucrose esters, CAPB 0 - 0.2 sugar esters, CAPB B Thickener 0 - 2 0 - 2 silicas mixed oxide silicates layered silicates, mod. celluloses 0 - 1 Silicas Mixed oxide silicates Phyllosilicates, Cellulose C Conductivity enhancer 1-10 1 - 10 sulfates, humic substances, chelated iron (GLDA) 1 - 10 humic substances, chelated iron, chelated with humic acids, alkalized D Hygroscopic substances 0,1 - 10 0.1 - 5 Glycerin, microgels 0.1 - 2 glycerol E Wax layer softener 0,1 - 40 0.2 - 20, oils, polypeptides, fatty acid esters, carboxylic acid 0.5 - 10 oils, fatty acid esters, carboxylic acids F Wax layer destroyer 0 - 40 0 - 20 fatty acids, (pelargonic acid only in dosages of 0 - 50% of the amounts permitted in plant protection products for the respective crop) terpene oils, alkalized humic substances, iron-containing metal soaps 0 - 10, non-toxic carboxylic acids, iron-containing metal soaps, alkalized humic substances

[0091] Table 3 summarizes media for droplet applications. These are primarily intended for use on grasses. Table 3 Component name function Application rate to be set general kg / ha Substance class according to list Component name Application rate to be set preferably kg / ha preferred substance classes Application rate to be set Specific kg / ha preferred substance class A Surfactant 0 - 3 0 - 2 APGs, sucrose esters, CAPB 0.2 - 0.5 sugar esters, CAPB B Thickener 0 - 10 0 - 5 silicas mixed oxide silicates layered silicates, mod. celluloses 1 - 5 silicas mixed oxide silicates layered silicates, mod. celluloses C Conductivity enhancer 1 - 10 1 - 10 sulfates, humic substances, chelated iron (GLDA) 1 - 10 humic substances, chelated iron, chelated with humic acids, alkalized D Evaporation-reducing substances 0,1 - 10 0.1 - 5 vegetable oils / vegetable oil esters 0.1 - 2 vegetable oils E Wax layer softener 0,1 - 40 0.2 - 20, oils, polypeptides, fatty acid esters, carboxylic acid 0.5 - 10 oils, fatty acid esters, carboxylic acids F Wax layer destroyer 0 - 40 0 - 20 fatty acids, (pelargonic acid only in dosages of 0 - 50% of the amounts permitted in plant protection products for the respective crop) terpene oils, alkalized humic substances, iron-containing metal soaps 0 - 10, non-toxic carboxylic acids, iron-containing metal soaps, alkalized humic substances

[0092] Table 4 summarizes media for foam-based applications. These are primarily intended for use on grasses. Table 4 Component name function Application rate to be set general kg / ha Substance class according to list Component name Application rate to be set preferably kg / ha preferred substance classes Application rate to be set Specific kg / ha preferred substance class A surfactant 0 - 4 0 - 2 APGs, sucrose esters, CAPB 0.2 - 0.5 sugar esters, CAPB B Thickener 0 - 2 0 - 2 silicas mixed oxide silicates layered silicates, mod. celluloses 0-2 silicas mixed oxide silicates layered silicates C Conductivity enhancer 1 - 10 1 - 10 sulfates, humic substances, chelated iron (GLDA) 1 - 10 humic substances, chelated iron, chelated with humic acids, alkalized D Evaporation-reducing 0,1 - 10 0.1 - 5 vegetable oils / vegetable oil esters glycerin, microgels 0.1 - 2 vegetable oils glycerin E Wax layer softener 0,1 - 40 0.2 - 20, oils, polypeptides, fatty acid esters, carboxylic acid 0.5 - 10 oils, fatty acid esters, carboxylic acids F Wax layer destroyer 0 - 40 0 - 20 fatty acids, (pelargonic acid only in dosages of 0 - 50% of the amounts permitted in plant protection products for the respective crop) terpene oils, alkalized humic substances, iron-containing metal soaps 0 - 10, non-toxic carboxylic acids, iron-containing metal soaps, alkalized humic substances G Foam additives 0 - 2 0-1 0 - 1

[0093] The invention is explained in more detail with reference to the figures. Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a carrier vehicle with an embodiment of a device according to the invention. Figure 2 shows a further embodiment of a carrier vehicle with a device according to the invention in a side view. Figure 3 shows possible arrangements of the device according to the invention on the carrier vehicle. Figure 4 shows possible arrangements of the device according to the invention on the carrier vehicle. Figure 5 shows possible arrangements of the device according to the invention on the carrier vehicle. Figure 6 shows a comparison of various methods for conventional and inventive weed control. Figure 7 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an application device designed as a nozzle. Figure 8 shows a schematic view of a carrier vehicle with an exhaust gas flow line. Figure 9 shows an embodiment of an application device of the device according to the invention. Figure 10 shows a further embodiment of an application device of the device according to the invention.Figure 11 shows a further embodiment of an application device of the device according to the invention. Figure 12 shows a further embodiment of an application device of the device according to the invention. Figure 13 shows a further embodiment of an application device of the device according to the invention. Figure 14 shows an embodiment of an application device of the device according to the invention. Figure 15 shows a further embodiment of an application device of the device according to the invention. Figure 16 shows a further embodiment of an application device of the device according to the invention. Figure 17 shows an arrangement of an application device with a measuring circuit for controlling the dosage. Figure 18 shows embodiments of insulating protective screens of the device according to the invention. Figure 19 shows a test plan of a section of land for treating plants using the method according to the invention. Figure 20 shows a section of a test field in which the method according to the invention is carried out.Figure 21 shows the results of treating cereals using the method according to the invention. Figure 22 shows the test setup for treating potatoes using the method according to the invention. Figure 23 shows the results of treating potatoes using the method according to the invention. Figure 24 shows the results of treating potatoes using the method according to the invention in combination with a secondary chemical treatment. Figure 25 shows the results of treating potatoes using the method according to the invention, where the treatment was carried out twice. Figure 26 shows the results of treating potatoes using the method according to the invention, where four different treatment patterns were tested. Figure 27 shows the test setup for treating potatoes using the method according to the invention in combination with haulm topping. Figure 28 shows the results of treating potatoes using the method according to the invention in comparison with haulm topping.Figure 29 shows the results of treating potatoes using the method according to the invention compared to haulm topping, with the treatment being carried out twice using the method according to the invention. Figure 30 shows the results of treating potatoes using the method according to the invention in combination with haulm topping.

[0094] In Fig. 1 An arrangement of the individual components of the device 1 according to the invention is shown on a tractor serving as the carrier vehicle 30. Alternatively, the tractor can be coupled, for example, to a trailer on which the device 1 is arranged. The arrangement and the carrier vehicle 30 can vary depending on the application mode and the specific requirements of the crop in question and the time of treatment.

[0095] The device 1 comprises a first module 10 for applying a contact resistance-reducing medium 15 and a second module 20 for transmitting electrical current to the plant parts. In this embodiment, the contact resistance-reducing medium 15 is a contact resistance-reducing liquid; hereinafter, the terms "contact resistance-reducing liquid" and "contact resistance-reducing medium" are used synonymously.

[0096] The first module 10 is arranged at the front of the carrier vehicle 30. The second module 20 is arranged at the rear of the carrier vehicle 30. This arrangement allows, in accordance with the invention, the application of the contact resistance-reducing medium 15 to always take place before or simultaneously with the electrophysical treatment.

[0097] The first module 10 has at least one application device, which is designed as a nozzle 11. In combination with the nozzle 11, the application device can also comprise a wiper 12 (see Fig. 8 - 14), or alternatively as a wiper 12. The application device is thus designed for spraying and wiping the contact resistance-reducing liquid 15, or alternatively also for spraying or wiping. The first module 10 has a number of jointly or preferably individually controllable nozzles 11 or wipers 12, which are arranged on a first support structure 13 in a desired working width of the device 1 (e.g. 1.5 - 48 m, preferably 6 - 27 m) and geometry (statically or flexibly mounted or height-sensor-controlled). The nozzles 11 and / or wipers 12 are supplied with contact resistance-reducing liquid 15 from one or more liquid containers 14. Sensors 16 are arranged, among other things, in the area of ​​the nozzles 11 (not shown), the data from which are used to control the amount of liquid if necessary. Additional sensors 16 can be mounted on the front of the first module 10 (ieIn the direction of travel) for the purpose of occupational safety. Sensors used include, but are not limited to, current / voltage sensors, optical sensors 161, e.g., camera systems, position or motion sensors 162, LIDAR, metal detectors, and others. Drones flying ahead can also be used to detect plants ahead. Furthermore, electric fence applicators can be arranged on the carrier vehicle 30 or the second module 20 to deter or scare away animals.

[0098] The tractor or a comparable carrier vehicle 30 preferably supplies the mechanical drive energy for an electric generator 32 via a power take-off shaft 31 or a hydraulic circuit. The generator can be located in the front area (as shown) or rear area of ​​the carrier vehicle 30. The individual modules of the device 1 are arranged, for example, as attachments, e.g., with three-point linkages. Special crops require special machines, sometimes even as a carrier vehicle with special suspensions, possibly also to the side or underneath the carrier vehicle. For devices with very high energy requirements, e.g., due to very wide working widths or carrier vehicles without sufficient free power capacity, independent power generator systems can also be used, which can be coupled to the carrier vehicle, mounted on a semi-trailer, or moved on a trailer.

[0099] The electrical current is transmitted from the generator 32 via cables to a transformation and control unit 33. There, the current is conditioned for transformation and then converted to the desired frequency, waveform, and voltage for ultimate use in centrally or distributed transformers and control units.

[0100] In the example shown, the second module 20 has a number of applicators 21 ( Fig. 1B ). The applicators 21 are arranged in a first applicator row 22 and a second applicator row 23 ( Fig. 1AThe applicators 21 are arranged on a parallelogram-like second support structure 24, which can be vertically positioned via a trailing auxiliary wheel (support wheel) 25 (depending on the crop, it can also be a leading wheel). In this arrangement, the current then flows into the plant via the first, front applicators 22 in the direction of travel. The second, rear applicators 23 can rest on the plant or drag on the ground, or penetrate the soil through suitable devices (e.g., a cutting wheel) (not shown), for example, to reduce resistance.

[0101] In Fig. 2a carrier vehicle 30 is shown in side view, which has leading and trailing parts of the device 1. A leading device 34 is arranged in front of the first module 10 in the direction of travel. This is, for example, a mower or mulcher, with which the plants are mown or mulched to a height of 0.1 - 1.5 m, preferably 0.2 - 0.5 m, in order to then be applied with a contact resistance reducing medium 15 by means of the first module 10 and subsequently treated with electricity by means of the second module 20. Behind the second module 20 there is arranged a trailing device 35 in which further implements can be arranged, for example for bending thick plants, mulching, mowing, compacting or sowing. The further implements can, for example, be permanently connected to the carrier vehicle 30 or the second module 20 or can also be attached to it.The use of additional devices such as the preceding and following devices 34, 35 is possible according to the invention, since, in contrast to almost all chemical processes, the destructive effect occurs immediately in the direct treatment period and does not require any action time with standing plants.

[0102] The embodiments of the device 1 according to Fig. 3 allow plants to be treated within seconds ( Fig. 3A ) or fractions of a second ( Fig. 3B ). In Fig. 3A The first module 10 is located at the front of the carrier vehicle 30. In this embodiment, after the application of the contact resistance reducing liquid 15, a few seconds pass until the second module 20 located at the rear of the carrier vehicle 30 reaches the plants to be treated. Fig. 3BThe first module 10 is located on the vehicle side, adjacent to the second module 20 at the rear of the carrier vehicle 30. After the application of the contact resistance-reducing liquid 15, only fractions of a second pass until the second module 20 reaches the plants to be treated. The latter configuration is preferable when the acceleration of the effect by suitable substances, hot media, or heated applicators is sufficient to reduce the resistance.

[0103] The working width of the device 1, i.e. the respective working widths of the first module 10 and the second module 20, are generally from 1.5 to 48 m. Only in rare cases are they more than 48 m. Preferably, the working widths are in a range of 6 to 27 m.

[0104] In Fig. 4A The first module 10 and the second module 20 are arranged one behind the other at the rear of the carrier vehicle 30 and are shown in detail in a plan view. Fig. 4Bdiffers only in that the first module 10 and the second module 20 are arranged in close spatial proximity to one another and the contact resistance-reducing liquid 15 can be sprayed directly in front of the applicators 21 or the electrical applicators 21 can be acted upon directly by the nozzle 11. The applicators 21 are arranged next to one another so that they can work across the entire area or, as shown in the image, at a distance for row crops. For row crops, a segmented arrangement is also necessary to protect the crops. This is achieved by moving the applicators 21 apart on the support structure 24 or by lifting out individual applicators 21. By means of scraper devices 12 or leaf lifters, crops can be treated very closely due to their regular position.The stripping devices 12 are designed to be insulating on the side surfaces, but are typically conductive at the edges where they touch the ground, so that pressed-down crop leaves that may be touched by applicators 21 are safely grounded and do not conduct electricity into the crop. The individual applicators 21 have safety covers 26 and, if necessary, additional spacers on the outside for setting safety distances.

[0105] In Fig. 5Possible arrangements of the first module 10 and the second module 20 are shown. The exemplary embodiments relate to a device 1 for applying a contact resistance-reducing medium 15 and an electrophysical treatment at minute intervals. Of the possible total working width of the device 1, one half is actively used only for distributing the medium 15 by means of the first module 10, while on the other half, the second module 20 applies electrical current to the area already chemically treated during the previous pass. In the embodiment according to Fig. 5A the first module 10 and the second module 20 are each only half-equipped. In the embodiment according to Fig. 5B The first module 10 and the second module 20 are each equipped with two modules, but are only half-operational and can be freely exchanged ( Fig. 5B ). In the embodiment according to Fig. 5CThe first module 10 is available in duplicate and can be moved separately or swung out, and can therefore be used flexibly on the right, left or at the same time.

[0106] In Fig. 6 Different herbicidal methods of plant treatment are compared. In a conventional method according to Fig. 6A Systemic non-selective herbicides 17 are applied primarily from above onto the plants 40 using nozzles 11 and are distributed through the sap flow over all leaves 41 (hatched) down to the roots 42, which are then also destroyed (dashed). A large proportion of these substances are now banned or are likely to be banned in the future. Their main effect is the disruption or alteration of chemical metabolic pathways in the plant, which then leads to its death down to the roots.

[0107] In a conventional process according to Fig. 6BNon-selective contact herbicides 17 are applied as widely as possible by spraying onto the leaves 41 and stems 43 (hatching), which requires large amounts of active ingredient and water and also increases direct wetting of the soil 44. However, the effect is only on the leaves 41 and stems 43 (hatching). Root weeds are poorly controlled because the roots 42 are not directly killed (solid, not dashed lines). In some cases, the effect of contact herbicides can almost be considered physical, if it primarily results in damage to the wax layer that acts as an evaporation barrier.

[0108] In a conventional process according to Fig. 6CElectrophysical methods are used, whereby an electric current is applied from above to the plants 40, which can damage them down to the roots 42. The main mechanism of action is the destruction of water-conducting vessels in the stems 43 and roots 42, which then leads to drying out down to the roots 42. However, this requires a lot of energy and high voltages to overcome the resistance barrier between the leaf 41 and the applicator 21. The electrical applicator 21 only needs to touch the leaves 41 in the upper region of the plant 40 to conduct the current through the leaf 41 and stems 43 down to the roots 42 and kill them.

[0109] In the embodiment of the method according to the invention according to Fig. 6DA synergistic effect is achieved through the combination of resistance-reducing fluid 15 and electrophysical treatment. The contact resistance-reducing fluid, applied only to the uppermost leaf level, reduces the resistance at the interface between applicator 21 and leaf 41, thereby reducing the required voltage and electrical power. This destroys the plant 40 systemically down to the root 42. In many cases, it is possible to completely avoid substances that are subject to plant protection products law or are not permitted for biological use.

[0110] In Fig. 7An embodiment of a nozzle 11 is shown (cross-sectional view). The nozzle 11 is designed here as a jacket or surface jet nozzle for the application of hot oil 15. In this embodiment, the hot oil 15 is the medium that reduces contact resistance. To ensure that the hot aqueous or oily spray jet 15, in particular the hot oil mist 15, reaches the plants in a targeted manner even in wind drift and cools down as little as possible, it is advisable to use self-suctioned gases 11c for the spray nozzle 11a and hot exhaust gases or specially heated electric air for the jacket or surface nozzles 11b (air blades).

[0111] For heating the contact resistance reducing liquid 15, possibly also the spray air, the application device 11, 12 and / or the applicators 21, according to the illustration of Fig. 8 Exhaust gas streams of the carrier vehicle 30 are used. Fig. 8Exhaust gas from the exhaust stream is directed to the application device (nozzle 11, scraper 12) and the application device 21. The exhaust gas is pressurized (10-300 mbar) using hot-air fans and directed to the points of use in insulated pipes (exhaust pipes) 36. Alternatively, or in addition to the use of exhaust heat, electrical heating devices, for example, can also be used.

[0112] In Fig. 9An embodiment of an application device for the targeted spraying of contact resistance-reducing liquids 15 directly onto a plant 40 is shown. The liquid 15 is sprayed in large droplets through one or more nozzles 11 arranged next to one another and, if possible, only onto the uppermost leaf level. Short spray paths allow the temperature in the spray solution (spray liquid) to be better maintained. The nozzles 11 are arranged on lightweight wipers 12 resting on the plants, which are flexibly suspended (e.g., via a joint or elastically) from the support structure 13. The nozzle orientation on the wipers 12 is rigidly directed diagonally downwards. The flexible arrangement of the wipers 12 on the support structure 13 enables the height of the application device 11, 12 to be adjusted to the growth height of the plants 40 ( Fig. 9A : high growth height, Fig. 9B : medium height, Fig. 9C : small growth height, Fig. 9D(no plants). The arrow indicates the direction of movement of device 1.

[0113] Exemplary parameters of the nozzles 11 and the wipers 12 according to the arrangement of Fig. 9 are shown in Table 5. Table 5 Technical parameters Secondary parameters generally preferred in particular Scraper length Length generally 20 - 50% greater than distance from the ground 24-200 cm 35 -150 cm 60-120 cm Distance between device frame and floor 20 -150 cm 30-100 cm 50-80 cm Scraper width The more inhomogeneous and smaller the plants, the narrower 10 cm-100 cm 10 cm - 50 cm 10 cm - 20 cm Scraper material plastic GRP / POM GRP POM Contact pressure at the lower end of the scraper Low values ​​for grasses 0.1 -30 kg / m 0.3-15 kg / m 0.5-5 kg / m High values ​​for woody plants >50 cm Distance between nozzles on the side Correlates with flow rate and opening angle, wiper width 10 cm - 100 cm 10 cm - 50 cm 10 cm - 20 cm Nozzle opening angle 10 - 130° 20°-80° 20°-50° Nozzle heating Optional Electricity / Exhaust gas exhaust exhaust Nozzle temperature water-based / oil-based 1-99 °C / 1-300 °C 5-90 °C / 10-280 °C 5-80 °C / 5-250 °C Nozzle material aqueous media plastic plastic plastic organic-based media (especially above 90°C) Plastic / Metal metal metal Nozzle flow rate Is adapted to driving speed by pressure change 0.05 l / min-0.5 l / min 0.05 l / min-0.5 l / min 0.05 l / min-0.5 l / min Print area Order quantity Adjusts flow rate when the area is fully covered with vegetation 0.1-5 bar 5-1000 L / ha 0.5-2.5 bar 10-200 l / ha 1 bar -2 bar 15-50 l / ha Drop size according to ISO 25358 F, M, G,-SG, EG M, G,-SG, - G,-SG, Distance between plant nozzles 10-100 cm 10-50 cm 10-20 cm Nozzle orientation relative to wiper Deviation from parallel alignment 5°-70° 10°-45 ° 10-30°

[0114] In Fig. 10 Another embodiment of an application device 11, 12 for the targeted spraying of contact resistance reducing liquids 15 directly onto plants 40 is shown. In contrast to the embodiment of Fig. 9The nozzle orientation here is dynamic and, controlled by gravity, always points downwards through a gimbal suspension and weighting at the lower end, whereby application is always achieved from above exactly in the areas that are also reached by the electric applicators 21. The switching on and off of the spraying or the flow rate of the medium 15 can be controlled by optical sensors 161 permanently mounted on the frame (e.g. for image recognition or fluorescence analysis with active lighting) and / or with a position and distance dependent sensor 162 on the scraper 12, the setting of which corresponds to the plant size (e.g. by raising the scrapers 12, ie a change in angle means: plants under the scraper, or by measuring the distance to the frame using a metal detector).The flexible arrangement of the scrapers 12 on the first support structure 13 and the dynamic nozzle orientation enables the height of the application device 11, 12 to be adapted to the growth height of the plants 40 (. Fig. 10A : high growth height, Fig. 10B : medium height, Fig. 10C : small growth height, Fig. 10D (no plants). The arrow indicates the direction of movement of device 1.

[0115] Exemplary parameters of the nozzles 11 and the wipers 12 according to the arrangement of Fig. 10 are shown in Table 6. Table 6 Technical parameters Secondary parameters generally preferred in particular Scraper length Length generally 20 -50% greater than distance from the ground 24-200 cm 35 -150 cm 60-120 cm Distance between device frame and floor 20 -150 cm0 30-100 cm 50-80 cm Scraper width The more inhomogeneous and smaller the plants, the narrower 10 cm-100 cm 10 cm - 50 cm 10 cm - 20 cm Scraper material Plastic / metal GRP / POM / PU / metal GRP / POM / PU / stainless steel Contact pressure at the lower end of the scraper Low values ​​for grasses High values ​​for woody plants >50 cm 0.1 -30 kg / m 0.3-15 kg / m 0.5-5 kg / m Distance between nozzles on the side Correlates with flow rate and opening angle, wiper width 10 cm - 100 cm 10 cm - 50 cm 10 cm - 30 cm Nozzle opening angle 10 - 130° 20°-80° 20°-50° Nozzle heating Optional Electricity / Exhaust gas exhaust exhaust Nozzle temperature water-based / oil-based 1-99 °C / 1-300 °C 5-90 °C / 10-280 °C 5-80 °C / 5-250 °C Nozzle material aqueous media plastic plastic plastic organic-based media (over 90°C) Plastic / Metal metal metal Nozzle flow rate Is adapted to driving speed by pressure change 0.05 l / min-0.5 l / min 0.05 l / min-0.5 l / min 0.05 l / min-0.5 l / min Print area adjusts flow rate 0.1-5 bar 0.5-2.5 bar 1 bar -2 bar Order quantity with fully vegetated area 5-1000 L / ha 10-200 l / ha 15-50 l / ha Drop size according to ISO 25358 F, M, G,-SG, EG M, G,-SG, - G,-SG, Distance between plant nozzles 10-100 cm 10-50 cm 10-20 cm

[0116] In Fig. 111 shows a further exemplary embodiment of an application device 11, 12 for the targeted spraying of contact resistance-reducing liquids 15 directly onto plants 40, in which the contact resistance-reducing liquid 15 is heated. Heating is preferably carried out, for insulation reasons, with hot exhaust gases, which are fed to the scraper 12 (which, for example, has plastic plates with hinges made of a flexible material (rubber, polyurethane (PU)) or is made entirely of a flexible material, e.g. PU, or, for high temperatures, of stainless steel) via a line (exhaust gas line pipe) 36. Insulating oils can also be passed through the line 36 for heating purposes. Alternatively, the scrapers 12 can also be heated with electrical current. The scrapers 12 have a similar basic geometry to the electrical applicators 21. They can also be equipped with attachments, if necessary.combined with grooves and passages, which allow capillary or pressure-assisted, free or controlled media transport. Individual dosing elements 18 are attached to or in the rigid or flexible scrapers in such a way that large plants are always supplied with more contact resistance-reducing medium 15 than smaller ones. Dosing can be controlled by sensors (e.g., current / voltage sensors, optical sensors 161, position or motion sensors 162) or, for example, by passing small test currents through segments 121 of the scraper 12. For all non-optical measurements on the applicators 21, RFID-based sensors are preferably used to save cables, etc., and to avoid complex high-voltage insulation.Preferably, deflection-controlled scrapers 12 are also used: The more the scraper 12 is deflected, the more the contact resistance-reducing fluid 15 can escape from the supply pipe due to the perforation or the displacement of the cover. The flexible arrangement of the scrapers 12 on the support structure 13 and the segmented design of the scrapers 12 enable the height of the application device 11, 12 to be adjusted to the growth height of the plants 40 (. Fig. 11A : high growth height, Fig. 11B : medium height, Fig. 11C : small growth height, Fig. 11D (no plants). The arrow indicates the direction of movement of device 1.

[0117] In Fig. 12A further embodiment of an application device 11, 12 for the targeted spraying of contact resistance-reducing media 15 directly onto plants 40 is shown, in which the contact resistance-reducing medium 15 is sprayed onto the scrapers 12. The scrapers 12 then scrape the contact resistance-reducing medium 15 exactly where the electrical applicators 21 are intended to contact the plants 40. The scrapers 12 can be heated, whereby the heating is preferably carried out with hot exhaust gases for insulation reasons, but can also be carried out with insulating oils. The sprayed scrapers 12 have a similar basic geometry to the electrical applicators 21. They have grooves and passages that allow spraying from the front or rear. Otherwise, they have a material as for the embodiment according to Fig. 11The segmented design of the scrapers 12 allows the height of the scrapers 12 to be adjusted to the growth height of the plants 40 ( Fig. 12A : high growth height, Fig. 12B : medium height, Fig. 12C : small growth height, Fig. 12D : no plants). The spray intensity can be adjusted by deflecting the applicators, optical sensors 161 or, for example, by passing small sample streams through even further subdivided scraper segments, here referred to as longitudinal segments 122 ( Fig. 12E ). For all non-optical measurements on the applicators 21, RFID-based technologies are preferably used to save cables, etc., and avoid complex high-voltage insulation. The arrow indicates the direction of movement of device 1.

[0118] In Fig. 13A further embodiment of an application device 11 is shown, in which the nozzle 11 is arranged on the uppermost segment 121 of the scraper 12. The scraper 12, due to its shape similar to the electric applicators 21, is intended to ensure that the contact resistance-reducing medium sprayed by the nozzle 11 is sparingly scraped onto the plant parts that will later be contacted by the electric applicators 21. The segmented design of the scrapers 12 enables automatic adjustment of the height of the application device 11, 12 to the growth height of the plants 40 ( Fig. 13A : high growth height, Fig. 13B : medium height, Fig. 13C : small growth height, Fig. 13D : no plants), especially on their outer contour.

[0119] Alternatively or in addition to the heated spray medium, the scraper surface can also be heated (not shown). The scraper 12 is made of electrically and thermally uninsulated metal on the use side. The exhaust gases are directed downward via a pipe 36, preferably in the hollow scraper, and heat the electrically and thermally conductive scraper base, preferably using the countercurrent principle (gas flow against the direction of movement). Due to the cooling of the exhaust gases as they rise towards the gas outlet at the upper end of the scraper 12 through heat transfer, the plants 40 first come into contact with the relatively colder upper scraper section and then scrape downwards into the increasingly hotter scraper zone. This optimizes the energy transfer and minimizes energy consumption by maintaining as constant a temperature difference as possible between the scraper surface and the plant surface.The back of all wiper surfaces is thermally and electrically insulated (e.g. heat-resistant plastic foam (e.g. Bakelite foam)) to minimize energy losses and sparking.

[0120] Table 7 summarizes the parameters of the application devices 11, 12 with scrapers 12 having several segments 121. Technical parameters Secondary parameters generally preferred in particular Scraper length Length generally 20 - 50% greater than distance from the ground 24-200 cm 35 -150 cm 60-120 cm Distance between device frame and floor 20 -150 cm0 30-100 cm 50-80 cm Scraper width The more inhomogeneous and smaller the plants, the narrower 10 cm-100 cm 10 cm - 50 cm 10 cm - 20 cm Number (for single links) and length of the scraper links As parts of the total length, can be asymmetrical 2-6 / 12-100 cm 2-5, 15-80 cm 2-4 / 30-70 cm Scraper material For temperatures above 90°C always use GRP or nylon or PU, for temperatures above 200°C use stainless steel with heat-resistant insulation (e.g. Bakelite foam) Plastic back insulated, foamed plastic, stainless steel GRP / POM back insulated, foamed plastic, stainless steel GFK POM back insulated, foamed plastic, stainless steel Contact pressure at the lower end of the scraper Low values ​​for grasses High values ​​for woody plants >50 cm 0.1 -30 kg / m 0.3-15 kg / m 0.5-5 kg / m Distance between nozzles on the side Correlates with flow rate and opening angle, wiper width 10 cm - 100 cm 10 cm - 50 cm 10 cm - 30 cm Nozzle opening angle 10 - 130° 20°-80° 20°-50° Nozzle heating / wiper heating Optional Electricity / Exhaust gas exhaust exhaust Nozzle temperature Wiper temperature water-based / oil-based 1-99 °C / 1-300 °C 5-90 °C / 10-280 °C 5-80 °C / 5-250 °C Nozzle material aqueous media plastic plastic plastic organic-based media (over 90°C) Plastic / Metal metal metal Nozzle flow rate Is adapted to driving speed by pressure change 0.05 l / min-0.5 l / min 0.05 l / min-0.5 l / min 0.05 I / min-0.5 I / min Print area adjusts flow rate 0.1-5 bar 0.5-2.5 bar 1 bar -2 bar Order quantity with fully vegetated area 5-1000 L / ha 10-200 l / ha 15-50 l / ha Drop size according to ISO 25358 F, M, G,-SG, EG M, G,-SG, - G,-SG, Distance nozzle wiper 10-50 cm 10-30 cm 10-20 cm

[0121] In Fig. 14An embodiment of an applicator 21 of a second module 20 is shown, via which electrical current is transmitted to the plants 40. The applicators 21 comprise an electrical material, e.g., metal, and can also be made entirely of one or more metals or alloys. The applicators 21 are attached to the second support structure 24 at an oblique angle, preferably 45°, but especially depending on the plants 40 in question, by means of a holder 27 with a lower stop (joint or flexible plastic or flexible metal). The design of the electrical applicator 21 in segments 211 enables the height of the application device 11, 12 to be adjusted to the growth height of the plants 40 ( Fig. 14A : high growth height, Fig. 14B : medium height, Fig. 14C : small growth height, Fig. 14D: no plants). At the lower end of the applicator, there is a slightly movable contact segment 212, ideally with an insulated end to prevent sparks. The height of the contact segment 212 is adjusted, for example, via a hinge connection to the next segment 211, or it rests flexibly on the ground or comes close to it in a defined manner. An applicator 21 can have several contact segments 212 arranged in parallel ( Fig. 14E ).

[0122] Very small plants 40 (preferably < 5 cm in height) are only touched by the non-actively heated applicator 21 and have current flow through them. Preferred embodiments are those in which flexible contact segments 212 are thermally conductively connected to the heated applicator 21 and are thus also slightly heated. In this case, the applied contact resistance-reducing medium 15 and the current are sufficiently effective. For larger plants 40 (preferably > 5 cm in height), it is intended to stroke along the heated applicator 21. The larger the plants 40, the longer the contact time on the inclined surface of the applicator 21 and the resulting contact pressure. Only very large and rigid plants (preferably higher than approximately 60% of the distance from the ground to the applicator end / hinge 29) can lift the heated applicator 21, also for safety reasons.The applicator 21 has an electrically and thermally non-insulated metallic material on the side contacting the plants 40. To heat the applicator 21, exhaust gases are directed downwards through a pipe 36 into the hollow applicator 21 and heat the electrically and thermally conductive applicator sole, preferably using the countercurrent principle (gas flow against the direction of movement). Due to the cooling of the exhaust gases towards a gas outlet at the upper end of the applicator 21, the plants first come into contact with the relatively cooler upper applicator part and then move downwards into the increasingly hotter applicator zone. This allows the energy transfer to be optimized and energy consumption to be minimized by maintaining the most constant temperature differences between the applicator surface and the plant surface. The back of all applicator surfaces is thermally and electrically insulated (e.g., using heat-resistant plastic foam, such asBakelite foam) to minimize energy losses and sparking.

[0123] Table 8 summarizes the parameters of the application facilities. Table 8 Technical parameters Secondary parameters generally preferred in particular Scraper length Length generally 20 -50% greater than distance from the ground 24-200 cm 35 -150 cm 60-120 cm Distance between device frame and floor 20 -150 cm 30-100 cm 50-80 cm Scraper width The more inhomogeneous and smaller the plants, the narrower 10 cm-100 cm 10 cm - 50 cm 10 cm - 20 cm Number (for single links) and length of the scraper links As parts of the total length, can be asymmetrical 2-6 / 12-100 cm 2-5, 15-80 cm 2-4 / 30-70 cm Scraper material For temperatures above 90°C always use GRP or nylon or PU, for temperatures above 200°C use stainless steel with heat-resistant insulation (e.g. Bakelite foam) Plastic back insulated, foamed plastic, stainless steel GRP / POM back insulated, foamed plastic, stainless steel GFK POM back insulated, foamed plastic, stainless steel Contact pressure at the lower end of the scraper Low values ​​for grasses High values ​​for woody plants >50 cm 0.1 -30 kg / m 0.3-15 kg / m 0.5-5 kg / m Distance between nozzles on the side Correlates with flow rate and opening angle, wiper width 10 cm - 100 cm 10 cm - 50 cm 10 cm - 30 cm Nozzle opening angle 10 - 130° 20°-80° 20°-50° Nozzle heating / wiper heating Optional Electricity / Exhaust gas exhaust exhaust Nozzle temperature Wiper temperature water-based / oil-based 1-99 °C / 1-300 °C 5-90 °C / 10-280 °C 5-80 °C / 5-250 °C Nozzle material aqueous media plastic plastic plastic organic-based media (over 90°C) Plastic / Metal metal metal Nozzle flow rate Is adapted to driving speed by pressure change 0.05 I / min-0.5 I / min 0.05 l / min-0.5 l / min 0.05 l / min-0.5 l / min Print area adjusts flow rate 0.1-5 bar 0.5-2.5 bar 1 bar -2 bar Order quantity with fully vegetated area 5-1000 L / ha 10-200 l / ha 15-50 l / ha Drop size according to ISO 25358 F, M, G,-SG, EG M, G,-SG, - G,-SG, Distance nozzle wiper 10-50 cm 10-30 cm 10-20 cm

[0124] In embodiments of the applicators 21 as shown in Fig. 15 The current is transferred to grass-like plants 40 by means of moving wires 51. The power transfer is enhanced by using conductive hybrid foam 52. In Fig. 15A The wires 51 are arranged in the form of combs that vibrate or have their own movement. Fig. 15BThe wires are arranged in the form of star wheel applicators 53. Other similar embodiments are immersed passively rotated brushes, counter-rotating brushes, wire elements or brushes running transversely to the direction of travel, and oblique wire elements (not shown). While the harrow-like wire elements / tines 51 ( Fig. 15A ) preferably move in the direction of travel and can only perform slight sideways vibrations, with the help of ground-driven star wheel applicators 53 grass can be combed very strongly across the direction of travel ( Fig. 15B ). For this purpose, the star wheel applicators 53, in contrast to the hay-turning applications, are also used with multiple star wheels on one axle. Wire elements running transversely to the direction of travel are also designed similarly to those of hay tedders, except that the wire density is significantly higher, ensuring that all plants are contacted directly or indirectly.

[0125] To avoid sparks, the end pieces of the applicators 21 in an embodiment according to the illustration of Fig. 16Rough or porous applicator end pieces 60 with decreasing conductivity gradients and any residual media stored therein. The porous or material-related lower sections 60, which have a lower conductivity, hold the plants to the ground and exhibit a gradually (A) or gradually (B) reduced electrical conductivity. This counteracts the formation of sparks, as they are extinguished by the moisture or the partially conductive material of the units or the soil sitting on top or the mixture of run-down / spread application fluid and applicator material. Possible materials for the end pieces 60 are glass or carbon fiber materials, polyurethanes with partially conductive fillers such as corundum or carbides, or conductive silicates, preferably surface elements from cutting discs and brake blocks. The material thicknesses are between 3 and 30 mm, preferably 5-15 mm.The end pieces are attached to the lower ends of the applicators 21 with screws or clamps. In all cases, a non-conductive end section can be added to the end pieces if necessary. The non-conductive applicator ends 60 can have tapered ends to cut off the air spark gap for discharge sparks, which normally propagate in the direction of travel.

[0126] Fig. 17shows examples of an electronic control circuit for dosing the amount of contact resistance-reducing fluid to be applied. When the applicator 21 rests on the poorly conductive ground, a low current flows through the measuring circuit with its own power supply (e.g., voltage pulses similar to electric fence devices) and a grounding disc 61 securely installed in the ground. If there are plants 40 in the area of ​​the applicator 21, these greatly reduce the resistance and current flows at a significantly higher level. This can be measured with the measuring device 62, is then intermediately processed by an evaluation unit (not shown) with threshold setting and controls a valve just upstream of the spray nozzle 11, so that the nozzle 11 sprays ( Fig. 17A). Alternatively, the stray currents from the applicators 21 in the soil can be used, which lead to a potential field even in front of the actual application area. If a plant grows there, the measurable stray currents increase relative to a more distant grounding plate 61 compared to measurements on bare soil. Based on this signal, the nozzle 11 is then switched ( Fig. 17B ). If no plant is growing, the measurable stray currents relative to a more distant grounding plate 61 do not increase compared to measurements on bare earth; then the nozzle 11 is not switched ( Fig. 17CIf RFID-based current measuring units are sufficiently sensitive, the current measurement can be applied directly to the conductive applicator 21, and the application devices 11, 12 can be easily and cost-effectively grounded together directly via the device frame (not shown). The values ​​are then queried contactlessly via radio, and there is no risk of measuring device short circuits due to the high voltage.

[0127] In Fig. 18 Embodiments of insulating protective disks 70 are shown. These are intended to protect crops in untreated areas from electrical current. A non-conductive protective disk 71 is either firmly attached to the smooth or toothed protective disk 70 on both sides ( Fig. 18A ) or runs on the same axis, possibly with a larger bore or a slightly shifted axis to also cover the protruding metal edge in the air ( Fig. 18B, left side view, right front view). Alternatively, the insulation disc can also be provided with a ring of flexible bristles 72 ( Fig. 18C , left side view, right front view), or static scraper elements (not shown) are located on the wheels. The metal disc preferably protrudes 2 to 10 mm beyond the plastic protective discs and can thus either cut off plant parts 40 on the ground or at least press them into the ground to form an electrical ground connection. For this reason, no electrical current from the applicator 21 can flow from a touched leaf 41 of the crop into the root 42 of the crop.

[0128] The metal disc 70 is accordingly earthed by cutting into the ground itself or by another grinding device (e.g. via the trailing support wheel) ( Fig. 18D ). The axle and the holder of the protective discs 70 are covered with insulating material. The arrow indicates the direction of movement of device 1.

[0129] The effectiveness of Device 1 was tested in efficiency trials. The efficiency trials were conducted according to the seasonal vegetation present in the fields. Table 9 provides an overview of the trials. Table 9 Lead name of treatment classification Boundary condition / pretreatment Greening Spring Mixed vegetation, especially grasses Regrowth after mulching Oil radish Regrowth after very shallow cultivation Sugar beet seedbed preparation Small weeds mixed Sugar beet pre-emergence Small weeds mixed 2-4 days after sowing Post-harvest Volunteer potatoes (small-large) l, sprouting grain in stubble (small) If necessary after shallow cultivating Nematode stop in rapeseed Rapeseed (small) after 200 hours of temperature rise Mulching directly after harvest Potato desiccation Desiccation in different potato varieties 1-3 weeks before harvest Single and double treatment, if necessary in combination with downstream desiccation herbicide Row crops: maize, rapeseed, potatoes Control of weeds between the rows of different sizes Weakening invasive plants Treatment of extremely deep-rooted plants After mowing 2-3 times per year

[0130] For all experiments, approved standard procedures using chemical herbicides (glyphosate, pelargonic acid) or standard physical / mechanical procedures (haulm topping, shallow cultivating, hoeing) are also performed as positive controls. Negative controls are always completely untreated strips. In addition, one strip each is treated only with the contact resistance-reducing medium or only with the electric current to demonstrate the synergy of the two method components.

[0131] The tests are conducted with 9 m wide devices, with the working width of the individual electrophysical treatment units being 50 cm or 1 m. In each case, 1 m wide strips are treated equally. To exclude edge effects, the middle 50 cm of each 1 m wide strip are always evaluated over a length of 6 m.

[0132] Each treatment is normally repeated three times, and in the case of irregular growth, five times.

[0133] Each test run, which can be run continuously, includes a sequence of treatment units where the speed is kept constant for as long as possible and only changes in blocks. Within each test run, parameters such as maximum voltage, maximum power per meter of working width, and application volume are changed before a further speed is tested.

[0134] Since manual modifications to the test device are necessary for changing applicators, application device positions (front, rear) and for switching between contact resistance-reducing media (different composition, different concentrations), such changes can only be carried out on different test tracks.

[0135] Between each individual treatment, there are non-analyzable buffer areas of 10 meters in length, in which the corresponding parameters of the spray unit and electrophysical treatment are adjusted. The adjustment is carried out either manually, but ideally with GPS control, assisted, or completely automatically by the control unit of the overall system.

[0136] Only the two 3 m strips to the right and left of the tractor are evaluated. The areas crossed by the tractor tires are generally excluded. The area between the tractor tires is used for the zero controls and the positive controls. Since the application of conventional herbicides requires completely different spraying systems, these are carried out by a separate tractor with the appropriate spray boom, which only sprays the areas directly behind the tractor, thus creating the tracks for subsequent treatment. To eliminate any drift problems, the spray units are always placed in the transition areas. For specific trials, more than one type of spray control is applied, since, for example, when using potato herbicides or glyphosate, farmers do not always spray with a consistent dose. This allows the efficiency to be compared with the various conventional dosages.The spray tractor for the control application drives just before the contact resistance-reducing treatment. The area covered by the tractor tires and the area outside the tractor tires, up to a total width of 3 m, then serves as a buffer strip to absorb drift effects; this is not evaluated.

[0137] In Fig. 19 A section of a test plan for implementing a method according to the invention on an agricultural field is shown. It shows a track width corresponding to the 9 m working width of the tractor, a treated section (center), and a transition section (right).

[0138] In Fig. 20 A section of the experimental field is shown with a large number of plots, which are divided into the respective experimental units according to the rules mentioned in the text. Four experimental lanes are shown, each with 10 consecutive treatment units.

[0139] Table 10 summarizes the device variants that are preferentially tested for efficiency. The parameters listed "in particular" are used as the respective detailed parameters unless the test plants explicitly require other parameters as a special application. Table 10 culture Contact resistance reducing medium Order Applicator type Greening Dicotyledons Pre-emergence / Seedbed Sugar beet, rapeseed, potato desiccation, row crops water-based / oil-based Spraying, wiping heatable applicator, simple metal slats Greening monocots thixotropic Spray Lamellar applicator / heatable applicators Greening monocots foaming Spray harrow, star wheel, slats

[0140] Table 11 lists the ranges of the test variants. Table 11 Speeds 4-12 km / h Power output 2-20 kW / m Maximum voltage limitation 500-4000 V Concentrations / application rate of the contact resistance reducing media low, medium, high (50%, 100%, 200% expected practical application rate)* Water quantities 50-400 l / ha Application temperatures medium (water / oil) Ambient temp. + 80 °C / Ugt. + 80+160+240°C Wiper temperatures (water / oil) Ambient temp. + 80 °C / Ugt + 80+160+240 °C Applicator temperatures (water / oil) Ambient temp. + 80 °C / Ugt + 80+160+240 °C * During the screening process, preliminary tests with various concentrations / application rates in flower boxes are used to determine a concentration / application rate of the contact resistance-reducing medium that is considered sufficient for the vast majority of plants. This application rate is then halved and doubled in larger trials to determine whether other concentrations / application rates are even more effective in terms of economy and effectiveness.

[0141] The exact experimental plans result from the size of the available fields, their format and the experimental parameters to be varied and are created according to the rules described above.

[0142] In each test variant, at least the following parameters are technically measured for each test plot: Voltage, current, energy, frequency, weather, resistance

[0143] All parameters are measured with area resolution.

[0144] In each test variant, the following assessments are carried out: Before treatment, 1 h, 1 day, 3 days, 7 days, 14 days after treatment plant numbers, degree of damage, area coverage, special symptoms.

[0145] The tests conducted and their results are described below. The medium that reduces the electrical contact resistance is also referred to as a liquid. Experiment 1: Treatment of grain Characteristics of the test field:

[0146] The test field is located on the outskirts of Wanlo in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany (51°05'56.3"N 6°25'18.8"E). The soil type is described as parabrown earth. According to the mapping guidelines of the Geological Survey of North Rhine-Westphalia, it is clayey silt. The estimated value is very high at 75-85. The dry soil becomes very hard and exhibits massive dry cracks even in late, dry spring. Experimental design:

[0147] A vehicle, namely a tractor, was used with a device according to the invention for treating grain. A field sprayer with a 6 m working width was attached to the front of the tractor as the application device. The application device for applying electricity was attached to the rear of the tractor. The power generator was driven by the PTO and produced up to 72 kW. Twenty high-voltage units, each with an output of 3.6 kW, provided the nominal power in a voltage range between 2000 and 5000 V. The device operated across a 6 m working width. The application device consisted of classic long-range applicators (also known as tongue applicators or LRBs (from English "Long Range Blade")) made of sheet metal blades with a pole spacing of 60 to 80 cm, which were mounted across the entire working width. The tongue applicators served as one pole, and cutting discs in the soil served as the second pole.

[0148] The treatment was tested on green wheat because it is a crop with very homogeneous, closely spaced plants. The plants are also tall, so directing the current only to the leaves is easily possible. Furthermore, cereals represent a challenging application due to their robustness. At the time of treatment, ear emergence had already been completed. At this point, for physiological reasons, rapid and complete destruction of monocotyledonous plants using electricity alone is hardly possible, as lignification of the stems is already largely complete.

[0149] For the test, a length of the test field (excluding the headland) was divided into five sections for four different speeds (in ascending order) and for a control without electricity (also known as a liquid control or spray control). Each section was at least 10 m long, and at least 20 m long for speeds of 2 km / h and 4 km / h.

[0150] According to the experimental design, the sections were then first treated with water or various liquids (water with added Cocktail, Hasten, Polyaktiv, or Bolero) and, after a very short contact time (approx. 4-8 s), with electricity using the tongue applicators. For the control without electricity, the corresponding sections were treated only with the respective liquid. A control without liquid or water, in which the plants were treated only with electricity (dry), was also included. For the treatment with electricity, four different tractor speeds were used: 0.5 km / h, 1 km / h, 2 km / h, and 4 km / h, resulting in four different nominal electrical energy inputs (see the section "Energy Input and Tractor Speed"). The application rate for the different liquids was 400 l / ha.

[0151] Completely untreated strips of the test field served as controls (untreated; also referred to as zero control) and ran across the entire length of the test field, parallel to the treated lanes or strips. Liquids (media that reduce electrical contact resistance):

[0152] The additives used in the liquids, Cocktail, Hasten, Polyaktiv, and Bolero, are commercially available products. The names of the additives essentially correspond to the proper names of the commercial products. For the liquids, the additives were used in water at the concentrations specified by the manufacturer.

[0153] Cocktail (manufacturer Lotus Agrar GmbH, Stade, Germany) is marketed as an additive for herbicides. Cocktail is a mixture of 60% ethyl oleate from sunflower oil and 40% sugar derivatives.

[0154] Hasten (manufactured by ADAMA Deutschland GmbH, Cologne, Germany) is a mixture of rapeseed oil ethyl esters and rapeseed oil methyl esters and non-ionic surfactants (716 g / l rapeseed oil ethyl and methyl esters, 179 g / l non-ionic surfactants). Hasten is formulated as an emulsion concentrate and marketed as an additive for herbicide treatment.

[0155] Polyaktiv is the commercial product Lotus Polyactiv Zn (manufacturer Lotus Agrar GmbH, Stade, Germany), which is marketed as a foliar fertilizer additive. Polyaktiv contains 10.8% (150 g / l) zinc and 13.5% (185 g / l) sulfuric anhydride (SO3). More important in this context, however, is the formulation of Polyaktiv, which is made with polyols (also called sugar alcohols). Polyaktiv is a polyol-zinc complex.

[0156] Bolero (SDP Bolero, manufacturer Lotus Agrar GmbH, Stade, Germany) is marketed as a foliar fertilizer additive. Bolero contains 9.5% (120 g / l) boron. More important in this context, however, is Bolero's formulation, which uses polyols (also called sugar alcohols). Bolero is a polyol-boron complex.

[0157] The application rate of 400 l / ha for wheat after ear emergence was determined in a preliminary trial in which volumes between 200 and 800 l / ha were tested. This showed that starting at an application volume of 400 l / ha, the electrical resistance (equivalent to 1 bar for the nozzle type used) stabilized at approximately 7000–8000 ohms, significantly more even than the widely fluctuating 12000–22000 ohms when the plants were treated in a dry state. Energy input and speed of the tractor:

[0158] The energy input is also referred to as energy input. In addition to the total available power, the actual energy input also depends significantly on the current resistance of the plants and, if applicable, the soil, since the power supply units can only operate at full power between 2000 and 5000 V. Accordingly, the actual energy input per hectare at high resistance can be significantly lower than the nominal energy input, calculated at full power.

[0159] Depending on the speed of the tractor, the following nominal electrical energy inputs per hectare are achieved when using the long applicators in grain: 0.5 km / h: 30 kW / ha 1 km / h: 60 kW / ha 2 km / h: 120 kW / ha 4 km / h: 240 kW / ha Objectives of the experiment:

[0160] The experiment was used to compare a treatment using the method according to the invention (crop.zone treatment) with a treatment using only electricity (ie without liquid) and with a treatment using only liquid (ie without electricity).

[0161] The experiment also served to compare different fluids, each with different nominal inputs of electrical energy (different tractor speeds). Test evaluation:

[0162] For the test evaluation, only the areas not flattened by the tractor's tires up to a maximum of 30 cm from the outer edges of the working width were used.

[0163] The treatment results were visually assessed and graphically and comprehensively displayed one week after treatment using a drone with NDVI measurement. NDVI stands for Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). It is the most commonly used vegetation index. Similar assessments were summarized into NDVI classes (greenness classes). An increase in the NDVI class, which was set to 1 for the untreated control, corresponds to a decrease in the greenness value. Test results:

[0164] Figure 21shows the classification of the NDVI reflections of the drone images of the grain field into seven intensity classes, with class 1 corresponding to the highest green value and class 7 to the lowest green value. NDVI class 1 was set for the untreated control. The figure shows the results of treating the plants with water or different liquids (water with added Cocktail, Hasten, Polyaktiv, or Bolero) followed by electricity. The results of the following controls or comparison treatments are also shown: (1) "Control (untreated)" is the untreated control; (2) "Dry" is the control without liquid (electricity only); (3) areas treated with 0 kWh / ha are the controls without electricity (water or liquid only). The specific energy values ​​represent the nominal input of electrical energy per hectare.The actual energy input may be lower if the resistance no longer allows the high-voltage units to operate at full load.

[0165] The fluids used (water with additives as specified) do not have any herbicidal effect themselves. They were developed to enhance the effect of chemicals on plants. The effect of chemicals refers to the effect of pesticides such as herbicides and foliar fertilizers, which are designed to penetrate the plants more effectively and then either kill them or fertilize them. In contrast, electricity does not contain chemical compounds that could penetrate the plants. The fluids used therefore come from a different application and were actually intended by the inventors only for an initial screening for more complex media that reduce electrical contact resistance.It was not at all to be expected that the liquids used would show such a large synergistic effect in combination with the application of electricity, since the mechanism of action of the electrophysical treatment of plants with electricity is fundamentally different from the mechanism of chemical treatments with pesticides and foliar fertilizers.

[0166] The results show that the treatment of the plants with electricity in a dry state and with prior treatment with water differed from the untreated control by only one green value class, except for the extremely high value of 240 kWh / ha, and no measurable differences were detectable between them. The reduction in the green value at 240 kWh / ha for the treatment with electricity in a dry state and with prior treatment with water corresponds to that of all treatments with the different liquids at 30 kWh / ha. This means that the biological effect is eight times more effective when using the liquids.

[0167] The results show that treatment with only the liquid, i.e., without electricity (0 kWh / ha), had no effect on the green value of the cereal plants in the case of Cocktail and Hasten as additives. In the case of Polyaktiv and Bolero as additives, a minor effect was observed (an increase of one green value class). The additional treatment with electricity resulted in a reduction in the green value for all liquids, and this reduction was dose-dependent: an increase in the amount of energy applied showed an increase in the effect that was dependent on the dose of the applied energy. Thus, a dose-response relationship exists.

[0168] Treatment with electricity alone, i.e., without liquid or water, showed only a small effect in reducing the green value (the "dry" control showed an increase of only one green value class, or at 240 kWh / ha, two green value classes). The "dry" control shows that cereals, due to their robustness, represent a challenging application for desiccation treatments. Treatment with electricity alone represents the state of the art. Very high energy quantities (240 kWh / ha and more) are required to achieve an effect, which is practically impossible given the tractor power available in the fields.

[0169] The effect achieved with a treatment using only electricity at 240 kWh / ha (dry control) is surprisingly achieved with the additional use of the liquid (cocktail, Hasten as an additive) at just 30 kWh / ha (achieving green value class 3). Thus, the combination with the liquid requires only one-eighth the amount of energy compared to the treatment with electricity alone to achieve the same effect. This meant that the tractor could travel at 4 km / h to achieve the same effect with the combination of liquid and electricity, whereas it had to travel at 0.5 km / h in the control without liquid. The eight-fold reduction in the required energy by combining liquid and electricity far exceeds expectations in the field of plant treatment, since an improvement of two is already considered exceptionally good for purely chemical plant treatments.

[0170] The combination of liquid and electricity reduces the required energy by a factor of eight, making the treatment practically feasible given the electric tractor power available in the fields. Furthermore, the desired effect can be achieved at higher tractor speeds, thus reducing the time required to treat the plants.

[0171] By combining the liquid treatment with the electricity treatment, not only was the energy requirement significantly reduced, but surprisingly, the effect on the plants was also significantly increased, up to green value class 6, or in the case of Hasten, even up to green value class 7. Thus, the effectiveness of the treatment was significantly increased by the combination.

[0172] The liquids contain surfactants and wax-softening ingredients. Hasten showed the best effect as an additive, followed by Cocktail and Polyaktiv. The increased efficiency demonstrates the importance of wetting and softening the leaf surface for the penetration of electrical current.

[0173] Treating the plants with water instead of a medium that reduces electrical contact resistance before applying electricity showed no effect compared to treatment with electricity alone (same result for "water" and "dry").

[0174] Current and voltage measurements have shown that, compared to dry treatment, the use of the liquids allows the voltage to be reduced from an average of 3600 to 2800 V at the same power level. This corresponds to a reduction in electrical resistance of approximately 20%. Further voltage reductions are expected through further optimization of the liquids. Low resistances and voltages are also crucial for cost-effective production of the application devices and their effective safety-related configuration. Furthermore, the effect of the electrical current increases with decreasing resistance or increasing currents for the same total energy quantity.

[0175] The results show that the contact resistance between the applicator and the plant can be reduced by approximately 20% after a very short contact time (approx. 4-8 s) through the use of media that reduce electrical contact resistance, particularly wax layer softening and wetting liquids. However, the biological effects of the current application increase by up to eightfold, with the same (low) effect level, if a medium that reduces electrical contact resistance is used instead of pure water or treating the plants in a dry state. Without such a medium, no relevant desiccation of grain could be achieved even at very high energy intensities (240 kWh / ha) when using pure water or treating the plants in a dry state. However, after the addition of the medium, which itself has no herbicidal effect, massive chlorophyll losses and the onset of desiccation were observed.

[0176] The results show that, with regard to treating plants with electricity, the use of a medium that reduces electrical contact resistance has a decisive effect compared to the use of pure water or treating the plants in a dry state. What was demonstrated here using cereals as an example can easily be transferred to a wide variety of other plants. Experiment 2: Treatment of potatoes Characteristics of the test field:

[0177] The field is located at Peringsmaar / Bedburg in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany (50°59'37.5"N 6°35'21.0"E). The area is a recultivated area of ​​the local lignite open-cast mine. Accordingly, the soil type is described as contract pararendzina. According to the mapping guidelines of the Geological Survey of North Rhine-Westphalia, it is silty loam. Recultivation took place approximately 15 years ago. Nevertheless, the soil is notable for its very low microbial decomposition activity, for example, for cereal straw. However, the soil offers exceptionally good growing conditions for potatoes compared to nearby natural soils. Despite the hot and dry summer, the field used was the only non-irrigated potato field in the region that was still completely green at the time of desiccation. The estimated value number is high at 45-75. Experimental design:

[0178] A vehicle, namely a tractor with hoe tires, was used to treat potatoes, equipped with a device according to the invention. A spraying device (field sprayer) with a 6 m working width was attached to the front of the tractor as an application device. The spraying device could be parked on one side depending on the test objective, resulting in test plots 3 m wide and 10 m long. The liquid was sprayed approximately 10 m before the application of electricity. An application device for applying electricity was attached to the rear of the tractor to apply the electricity. The power generator was driven by the power take-off shaft and produced up to 72 kW. 20 high-voltage units, each with an output of 3.6 kW, provided the nominal power in a voltage range between 2000 and 5000 V. The device operated across a width of 6 m (working width).

[0179] The field was planted with the Challenger potato variety (April 14, 2022) and treated conventionally with plant protection products and fertilizer. At the time of treatment, the potato plants were in phenological stage 81 (81-83), i.e., still vibrant green. The Challenger variety is generally considered vigorous and difficult to desiccate. The hot and dry summer generally led to increased formation of waxy layers.

[0180] The tractor drove between the 3rd / 4th and the 5th / 6th ridge crests. Only rows 3 and 5 were used for the test evaluation. The individual test plot sections, which were treated at different tractor speeds, were separated by stopping and acceleration zones. The individual test plots were partially randomized, as only such area arrangements can be driven over with a device with a 6 m working width at three different speeds.

[0181] Based on the unexpected success of combining liquid and electricity in grain (Trial 1), a wetting agent (Kantor, HL1) well-established in potatoes was tested in combination with the application of electricity. As a further variation, a conductivity-enhancing salt solution was added to the wetting agent (HL2). For this purpose, the sections were first treated with the different liquids (HL1, HL2) according to the experimental plan and, after a very short exposure time of a few seconds, with electricity. For the control without electricity (liquid control), the corresponding sections were treated only with the liquid HL2. For the treatment with electricity, three different tractor speeds were used: 2 km / h, 4 km / h, and 6 km / h, resulting in three different nominal inputs of electrical energy.The application rate for the different liquids was 150 l / ha (nHL) for one part of the trials, while for another part of the trials and for the liquid control it was 300 l / ha (HL).

[0182] Single and double treatments were conducted, each with the combination of liquid and current described above. In the double treatments, the second treatment took place one week after the first treatment. There was also a trial in which the second treatment was a purely chemical treatment with Shark (1.0 l / ha) instead of a liquid and current treatment.

[0183] The first liquid HL1 used in the trial was the approved additive Kantor at a concentration of 0.15%, as the potatoes were intended for the open market. Kantor is a commercially available product. The name is the proprietary name of the commercial product. Kantor is based on alkoxylated triglyceride technology and is marketed as an additive to ensure the effectiveness of crop protection products (manufacturer: agroplanta GmbH & Co. KG, Zustorf, Germany). Kantor is formulated as a liquid active ingredient concentrate and acts as a wetting agent. In addition to the alkoxylated triglycerides, Kantor contains 1-10% acetic acid and 1-10% D-glucopyranose, oligomers, and decyloctyl glycosides. For the second liquid HL2, magnesium sulfate (magnesium sulfate heptahydrate, also known as epsomite, MgSO4*7H2O, manufacturer e.g. K+S KALI GmbH, Kassel, Germany) was added to the HL1 at a concentration of 1 kg / 100 L liquid.

[0184] Completely untreated test plots were included as controls (untreated; also referred to as zero control). A purely chemical treatment of the plants (Quick / Shark; also referred to as Quickdown / Shark or positive control) was also included as a further control, i.e., without liquid HL and without electricity. The purely chemical treatment (desiccation) was carried out with Quickdown 0.8 l / ha + Toil 2.0 l / ha and seven days later, i.e., at intervals of one week, with Shark 1.0 l / ha (Quickdown: 24.2 g / l pyraflufen (w / w 2.4%), Belchim Crop Protection Deutschland GmbH, Burgdorf, Germany; Toil: 10% coco diethanolamide, Cheminova Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG, Stade, Germany; Shark: 55.92 g / l carfentrazone (60 g / l ethyl ester), Belchim Crop Protection Deutschland GmbH, Burgdorf, Germany). The names are the proper names of the commercial products.The application rates of the substances and water correspond to the professional standard treatment for chemical potato desiccation and were determined and carried out by a potato desiccation expert from the Rhineland Chamber of Agriculture.

[0185] The experiments with the different liquids were conducted on three parallel lanes. Only the purely chemical control treatments and the blank control were located on an additional fourth lane, directly adjacent to the third lane.

[0186] Due to space and effort constraints, only two replicates per treatment could be conducted. A total of 41 trials (different plot treatments) were conducted in two replicates.

[0187] Figure 22shows the experimental setup, i.e., the arrangement of the experimental units in the field. The plot size was 3 x 10 m. HL1 and HL2 denote the different liquids. nHL stands for the low liquid application rate of 150 l / ha, and HL for the high liquid application rate of 300 l / ha. Two treatments were carried out one week apart (first treatment / second treatment). The second treatment could also be a purely chemical treatment (Shark) or, in the case of a single treatment, omitted (-). The purely chemical control treatments (Quickdown / Shark) were carried out on an additional strip on which the untreated controls (- / -) were also arranged. Energy input and speed of the tractor:

[0188] The energy input is also referred to here as energy input. In addition to the total available power, the actual energy input also depends significantly on the current resistance of the plants and, if applicable, the soil, since the power supply units can only operate at full power between 2000 and 5000 V. Accordingly, the actual energy input per hectare can be significantly lower than the nominal energy input, calculated at full power, at high resistance. The actual energy input can be lower, particularly during the second pass, which took place one week after the first pass, if the resistance of the partially dried-out plants is so high that the power supply can no longer operate in the full load range (2500 - 5000 V). Accordingly, the description of the experiment refers to the speed.

[0189] Depending on the speed of the tractor, the following nominal electrical energy inputs per hectare are achieved when used in potatoes: 2 km / h: 48 kWh / ha 4 km / h: 24 kWh / ha 6 km / h: 16 kWh / ha Aim of the experiment:

[0190] The experiment was used to compare two different media (liquids) that reduce the electrical contact resistance as well as two different application rates of a liquid, each with different nominal inputs of electrical energy (different tractor speeds). Test evaluation:

[0191] For the trial evaluation, all plots were photographed individually once or twice a week (each ridge individually, 10 m long, using a Nikon D7000 with a resolution of 12 MP). Only the data three weeks or 20 days after the first treatment were analyzed. The three-week period results from the general scheduling of desiccation treatments.

[0192] The images from the 10 m plots were visually evaluated. The stems were classified into the color categories gray, yellow, and green. The gray color category included both completely dried-out / brittle stems and those that were so brown and viscoelastic that complete drying out was only a matter of time before regrowth was possible. Yellow stems were not yet completely dead, had no green or yellow leaves, and could still lead to regrowth. Green stems had no yellow or green leaves. In the test sections where regrowth was assessed separately, it consisted of small leaves (max. 2 cm in size) that emerged directly from the stems. An average of 81 stems per plot, totaling 6,643 potato stems, were evaluated. Test results:

[0193] Figure 23shows the results of the individual treatment of potatoes with the liquid HL1 or HL2 and with electricity. The figure shows the percentage of green, yellow and grey stems 20 days after the first crop.zone treatment. In the crop.zone treatment, the field sections were first treated with the liquid HL1 or HL2 and, after a very short exposure time of just a few seconds, with electricity. The comparison shows the liquids HL1 and HL2 at low (nHL) and high (HL) application rates (liquid application rate) with a single application of the crop.zone treatment at different speeds (2, 4 and 6 km / h, designated -2, -4 and -6 respectively) in comparison to the positive control (Quick / Shark), the control without treatment (untreated) and the liquid control (liquid control).

[0194] Interestingly, the use of a higher nominal energy per hectare at 2 km / h (48 kWh / ha), regardless of the fluid used, showed only slightly better drying results than 16 kWh / ha (6 km / h). The highest effectiveness was found at 2 km / h for low volume (nHL1) and high volume including conductivity component (HL2). The best average effectiveness for all speeds was achieved with HL2. The use of an electrically conductive component in the fluid is therefore advantageous.

[0195] The purely chemical dual treatment (Quick / Shark) was also no more effective than the single crop.zone treatment. The limited effectiveness of the purely chemical treatment, despite the weather during the test period being optimal for the substances (abundant sun and dry conditions), corresponds to the effectiveness gap that emerged after the ban on Reglone (Diquat) or its expiration date due to toxicity against so-called "bystanders." This effectiveness gap is an important reason for the need for the method according to the invention.

[0196] The simple crop.zone treatment of green plants of difficult-to-desiccate potato varieties such as Challenger at higher speeds (6 km / h with only 16 kWh / ha of electrical energy) with HL2 leads to an effective opening of the canopy (replacing Reglone): For a better desiccation result, the crop.zone treatment can be integrated into a two-stage desiccation process. A two-stage desiccation treatment also corresponds to the usual double chemical treatment and the associated gentle, gradual initiation of the ripening process for such potato varieties.

[0197] Figure 24shows the results of a single treatment with the liquid HL1 or HL2 and with electricity in combination with a secondary chemical treatment. The figure shows the percentage of green, yellow and grey stems 20 days after the first crop.zone treatment. In the crop.zone treatment, the field sections were first treated with the liquid HL1 or HL2 and, after a very short exposure time of just a few seconds, with electricity. The comparison shows the liquids HL1 and HL2 at low (nHL) and high (HL) application rates (liquid application rate) with a single application of the crop.zone treatment at different speeds (2, 4 and 6 km / h, designated -2, -4 and -6 respectively) in combination with Shark as a secondary chemical treatment (follow-up) in comparison to the positive control (Quick / Shark), the control without treatment (untreated) and the liquid control (liquid control).

[0198] The results show that the stems were dried out (grey) about 10 - 20% better in the case of the chemical secondary treatment than after a single treatment ( Figure 23 ). Both treatments with HL1 (low and high volume of fluid) show, for unknown reasons but reproducibly, their lowest efficacy at 4 km / h, while HL2 at high volume (low volume not tested) shows the highest and almost constant efficacy (highest amount of gray stems) at all three speeds.

[0199] Compared to the purely chemical positive control (Quick / Shark), the effectiveness of the crop.zone treatment was approximately 30% higher. This underscores the high effectiveness of the crop.zone treatment compared to Quickdown, which replaces Reglone, particularly for desiccating potatoes that are still completely green. The crop.zone treatment is significantly more effective than Quickdown as a first-line treatment. The crop.zone treatment at a higher speed (6 km / h, 16 kWh / ha) using a highly conductive liquid in combination with a second treatment with Shark already resulted in effective desiccation, which is better than the purely chemical double treatment (Quick / Shark).

[0200] Visual assessment revealed that the remaining green and the majority of yellow stems are oriented perpendicular to the direction of travel and primarily extend down into the valleys between the dams. Accordingly, accessibility by the applicators is the reason for the remaining stems not drying out.

[0201] A third treatment or a later timing of the second treatment may be beneficial to completely dry out the stems and minimize regrowth, especially if the potatoes were still completely green during the first treatment.

[0202] Figure 25shows the results of the double treatment, each with the HL2 liquid and with electricity. The figure shows the percentage of green, yellow, and gray stems 20 days after the first crop.zone treatment. During the crop.zone treatment, the field sections were first treated with the HL2 liquid and, after a very short exposure time of just a few seconds, with electricity. The different speeds (2, 4, and 6 km / h, designated -2, -4, and -6, respectively) during the first treatment and a constant speed of 4 km / h during the second treatment are compared with the positive control (Quick / Shark), the control without treatment (untreated), and the liquid control (liquid control).

[0203] The results show that the stems dried out (grayed) about 10% better after the double treatment with crop.zone than after a single crop.zone treatment.

[0204] Interestingly, using a higher rated energy per hectare at 2 km / h (HL2-2, 48 kWh / ha) did not result in better drying than using 16 kWh / ha (HL2-6). A higher speed (6 km / h) instead of 2 km / h did not reduce effectiveness.

[0205] As a result, the crop.zone treatment, combined with a second crop.zone treatment, resulted in effective desiccation even at high speeds (6 km / h) during the initial treatment. Thus, the crop.zone treatment enables a completely non-chemical treatment to facilitate high-quality and targeted organic potato production.

[0206] Figure 26shows the results of four different treatment patterns. The figure shows the percentage of green, yellow, and gray stems 20 days after the first crop.zone treatment. During the crop.zone treatment, the field sections were first treated with the HL2 liquid and, after a very short exposure time of just a few seconds, with electricity. The different speeds (2, 4, and 6 km / h, designated -2, -4, and -6, respectively) during the initial treatment are compared for the four different treatment patterns. Top left: single crop.zone treatment with HL2. Top right: double crop.zone treatment with HL2 and a constant 4 km / h during the second treatment with a high liquid application rate. Bottom left: crop.zone treatment with HL2 in combination with Shark as a second treatment. Bottom right: double crop.zone treatment with HL2 and a constant 4 km / h during the second treatment with a low liquid application rate.Since this presentation of results only concerns the small dependence of desiccation on the speed or the amount of energy used (factor 3, difference between 2 km / h and 6 km / h), controls were omitted here.

[0207] Despite halving the energy from 2 km / h to 4 km / h, only two treatments with low fluid volume (nHL2) in the second treatment showed slightly lower efficacy at 4 km / h, while high fluid volume showed even greater efficacy. 6 km / h showed either no reduction in efficacy (double high-volume treatment) or only a slight reduction of a maximum of 5% for the other treatments.

[0208] In summary, the crop.zone treatment has high potential for higher speeds (6 km / h and above) and lower energy to achieve adequate drying effects. This applies regardless of how the second treatment is implemented (crop.zone or chemical) after the physiologically important canopy opening in the first treatment step.

[0209] Overall, the results of Experiment 2 show that the addition of conductivity-enhancing components such as magnesium sulfate to a wetting agent leads to a further improvement in desiccation. By using the wetting agent and magnesium sulfate in the medium that reduces electrical contact resistance, more consistent and better results were obtained, with a lower rate dependence of the medium's effect.

[0210] The combination of treatment with a medium that reduces electrical contact resistance and treatment with electricity enables a significant reduction in energy consumption compared to treatment with electricity alone. This is a crucial technological breakthrough, as the electrically available tractor power is significantly limited, especially when using narrow hoe tires on potato fields, and even when using tramlines, more than 120 kW of power is rarely available. Accordingly, only an application rate in the range of 30 - 50 kWh / ha allows for a sufficient working width of the equipment (currently 6 m, in the future 12 m or more) and an agronomically sensible area output of approximately 6 - 9 ha / h at a speed in the range of 6 - 8 km / h.

[0211] In comparison, haulm toppers (test 3) usually operate at a working width of 3 m at speeds of 8 - 12 km / h, resulting in area outputs of 2.4 - 3.6 ha / h and energy consumption in the range of approximately 8 - 14 kWh / ha.

[0212] In the trial on cereals (Trial 1), a dose-response relationship was observed for the crop.zone treatment, depending on the amount of energy applied (dose). In contrast, in the trials on potatoes, only a slight dose-dependence of desiccation (dependence of desiccation on speed or the amount of energy applied) was observed for the crop.zone treatment. This was because the inventors did not sufficiently reduce the amount of energy applied in the potato trials (i.e., they did not test higher tractor speeds, such as 8 or 10 km / h). The reason is that the inventors did not expect such pronounced desiccation effects to be visible after just three weeks at a speed of 6 km / h. Experiment 3: Treatment of potatoes in combination with haulm topping

[0213] The information on the characteristics of the test field, the test design, and the energy input and speed of the tractor from Test 2 also applies to Test 3, with the exception of some deviations in the test design. Only the deviations in the test design are described below.

[0214] For the trial, a 300 m long treatment strip was used on the same field, on which approximately 100 m long sections were driven at three different speeds and crop.zone treatment using the HL2 liquid and a liquid application rate of 300 l / ha. For the crop.zone treatment, the sections were first treated with the HL2 liquid and, after a very short exposure time of a few seconds, with electricity. For the electricity treatment, three different tractor speeds were used: 2 km / h, 4 km / h, and 6 km / h, which resulted in three different nominal electrical energy inputs (see Trial 2). Haulm topping was carried out by the farmer using a standard haulm topper with a 3 m working width and a working speed of approximately 10 - 15 km / h.

[0215] For the combined treatment trial, the treatment strip was crossed for a second time with different ridge applications, each time 3 to 4 days apart, with the tractor applying the crop.zone treatment (see trial 2), a haulm topper (two ridges apart), and then again one ridge apart with the tractor applying the crop.zone treatment. This resulted in the following four treatment combinations, where CZ stands for the crop.zone treatment and HT for haulm topping: CZ / CZ (double treatment with crop.zone), CZ / HT / CZ (haulm topping between two crop.zone treatments), CZ / HT (haulm topping after a crop.zone treatment), and HT (haulm topping only).

[0216] It also results in an intermediate row which was not treated with crop.zone before haulm topping but whose neighbouring row was and which also received a partial treatment due to overhanging stalks: (CZ) / HT (haulm topping after a crop.zone partial treatment).

[0217] Figure 27 shows the experimental setup just described. Aim of the experiment:

[0218] The experiment was designed to compare four or five different treatment combinations, each with different nominal inputs of electrical energy (different tractor speeds). Test evaluation:

[0219] The test evaluation was carried out as described for test 2. By visual classification of the stems (grey, yellow, green, regrowth (from green or yellow stems)), the stems were evaluated on 20 m long sections (211 - 287 stems per sample, a total of 3807 potato stems) on 15 sections. Test results:

[0220] Figure 28shows the results of the crop.zone treatment of potatoes compared to haulm topping. The figure shows the percentage of green and re-emerged stalks as well as yellow and grey stems 20 days after the first crop.zone treatment. In the crop.zone treatment (CZ), the field sections were first treated with the liquid HL2 and, after a very short exposure time of a few seconds, with electricity. The data from the single crop.zone treatment at three different speeds (2, 4 and 6 km / h, designated -2, -4 and -6 respectively) and the haulm topping variants alone (HT) in three replicates (2, 4, 6) of the positive controls (Quick / Shark), the control without treatment (untreated) and the liquid control (liquid control) were compared. Haulm topping alone (HT) was carried out in parallel to the crop.zone treatments were evaluated in triplicate on potato ridges over a complete field length (300 m) in parallel, whereby the replications were only named analogously to the different speeds ((2), (4), (6)).

[0221] The main difference between the haulm topping replicates was the higher percentage of regrowth from yellow and green stems (up to 18% in replicate (4)), which is not shown in the graph because regrowth was not assessed separately in the crop.zone treatment.

[0222] All single treatments and the purely chemical double treatment showed a remaining number of green stems in the range of 15-25% after three weeks. While haulm cutting never showed more than 40% of the dried gray stems, the single crop.zone treatment already showed 60-70% gray stems. The purely chemical double treatment showed 19% green stems and 60% gray stems, thus achieving a lower level of effectiveness than the single crop.zone treatment, reflecting the limited effectiveness of the remaining chemical desiccant agents, even in optimal years with plenty of sunshine.

[0223] A single treatment with haulm topping or crop.zone was insufficient to dry out vigorous green potato plants. Haulm topping alone resulted in the least desiccation of the stems, even in the relatively dry year of the trial. Open stem ends after haulm topping and the regrowth triggered by haulm topping, even in the relatively dry year, pose an additional risk for viral infections caused by aphids and other diseases.

[0224] Based on these results, the crop.zone treatment is more effective than haulm topping for opening the canopy. A double treatment with crop.zone without a haulm topper, or a combination of the crop.zone treatment with a chemical secondary treatment, is a better choice for vigorous varieties than using haulm toppers.

[0225] Figure 29shows the results of the crop.zone double treatment compared to haulm topping. The figure shows the percentage of green and re-emerged (regrowing) stalks as well as yellow and gray stems 20 days after the first crop.zone treatment. In the crop.zone treatment (CZ), the field sections were first treated with the HL2 liquid and, after a very short exposure time of a few seconds, with electricity. The data from the double crop.zone treatment at three different speeds (2, 4, and 6 km / h, designated 2, 4, and 6, respectively) from trial 2 (same direction of travel) were compared with the data from the haulm topping trial (HT) (crop.zone treatment in the opposite direction of travel).

[0226] While in one series of experiments the direction of travel for the second treatment was opposite to that of the first treatment, in the other series of experiments the direction of travel was the same as the first treatment. While in the opposite direction experiment the speed for the first and second trips was always similar (2, 4, or 6 km / h), in the same direction experiment only the speed for the first trip varied, and the second trip was always at 4 km / h.

[0227] The percentage of gray stems was higher or similar when driving in the same direction (more double treatment of the same stems) compared to driving in the opposite direction. In contrast, driving in the opposite direction showed almost no remaining green or regrowing stems, as all stems were electrically treated at least once. This resulted in a dosage distribution that only at 2 km / h (the highest energy amount, 48 kWh / ha) resulted in a dosage sufficient to turn approximately 80% of the stems gray. At higher speeds, more yellow stems remained, which had not yet completely dried out during the test period but also did not resprout to any significant extent. The highest proportion of yellow stems at 4 km / h is attributed to the fact that the soil or microclimate conditions in the center of the field provided even more water, leading to slower drying.The phenomenon was observed even more strongly in the pure weed cutting experiment over the entire field length.

[0228] As a result, it can be stated that the application device must ensure that as many stems as possible are touched by the application device, even when additional liquids are used, and that an opposite approach during the second treatment further improves the success of the desiccation.

[0229] Figure 30shows the results of the crop.zone treatment of potatoes in combination with haulm topping. The figure shows the percentage of green, yellow, and gray stems and the regrowth as green or yellow stalks (regrowth) 20 days after the first crop.zone treatment. The arrangement of the bars within the speed groups corresponds to the spatial arrangement in the field: crop.zone treatment at 6 km / h (left columns), 4 km / h (middle columns), and 2 km / h (right columns). The abbreviations stand for: CZ = crop.zone treatment, (CZ) = branch line partially treated with crop.zone due to the spreading of the potato plants, HT = haulm topping as the standard method (number only as a position designation of the neighborhood). The double treatment with crop.zone (CZ / CZ) represents the best compromise between a high proportion of gray stems and, at the same time, minimizing regrowth.

[0230] The combination of double crop.zone treatment with intermediate haulm topping (CZ / HT / CZ) produced the highest proportion of gray stems at all speeds. At the same time, haulm topping in any treatment combination left a significant proportion of green stems and, depending on soil moisture or other soil-related factors, led to regrowth on up to 18% of the stems. Even the double crop.zone treatment with intermediate haulm topping could not completely prevent regrowth, although this is critical for viral infections caused by aphids. A combination of a single crop.zone treatment followed by haulm topping (CZ / HT) resulted in more green residual leaves and regrowth at all speeds than a double crop.zone treatment. An interesting aspect of the trial is the influence of the crop.zone treatment on neighboring rows.Since the potato plants extend far into the neighboring row, an effect can be seen in the row that has only been haulmed ((CZ) / HT) next to the crop.zone treated row (CZ / HT) at all driving speeds that is significantly higher than the effect of haulm cutting alone.

[0231] Overall, the results of Trial 3 show that, even in a dry year, a double crop.zone treatment (CZ / CZ) is the most effective desiccation method compared to haulm topping and compared to combinations of the two methods, as it achieved a relatively high proportion of gray stems while simultaneously minimizing the particularly undesirable regrowth. Driving at 6 km / h and a nominal 16 kWh / h each guarantees high area performance and low energy consumption.

[0232] Haulm topping does not provide any relevant desiccation benefits and only seems sensible if the farmer wants to reduce the starch content of the potatoes through regrowth. Even stronger regrowth is to be expected in wetter years, which can lead to significant secondary chemical treatments after haulm topping (including insecticide treatment) or may even require a third treatment with crop.zone or a third chemical treatment.

[0233] The additional haulm topping (CZ7HT / CZ), which ranks second, can also produce significantly more green potatoes, as the working width rarely exceeds 3 m, resulting in many ridge damages or even superficial potato exposures (crop zone 6 m or, in the future, 12 m or more). Short-cut stems are an additional source of viral and fungal infections, and further chemical treatment may be necessary to minimize these risks. List of reference symbols

[0234] 1 Device 10 First module 11 Nozzle 11a Spray nozzle 11b Jacket nozzle 11c Suctioned gases 12 Scraper 121 Scraper segment 122 Sub-segment 13 First support structure 14 Liquid container 15 Contact resistance reducing medium 16 Sensors 161 Optical sensors 162 Motion sensors 17 Non-selective herbicides 18 Metering element 20 Second module 21 Electric applicator 211 Applicator segment 212 Unheated contact segment for small plants 22 First applicator row 23 Second applicator row 24 Second support structure 25 Support wheel 26 Safety cover 27 Bracket 29 Hinge 30 Carrier vehicle 31 Power take-off shaft 32 Generator 33 Transformation and control unit 34leading device 35trailing device 36exhaust pipe 40plant 41leaf 42root 43stem 44soil 51wire 52foam 53star wheel applicator 60applicator end pieces 61grounding disc 62measuring device 70protective disc 71insulating protective disc 72bristles

Claims

1. Device (1) for applying electrical current to plants (40), comprising at least two modules, a first module (10) comprising at least one applying device for applying an electrical-contact-resistance-lowering medium (15) onto plants (40), and a second module (20) comprising at least one application device (21) for applying electrical current to plants (40), wherein at least one sensor system is arranged in the region of the first module (10) and / or the second module (20), respectively, which sensor system has one or more sensors (16) selected from the group consisting of optical sensors (161), lidar, height sensors, movement sensors (162), thermal sensors, current measurement sensors, and sensors designed to detect mechanical stresses, characterized in that the at least one sensor system is designed for a growth-controlled application of the electrical-contact-resistance-lowering medium (15).

2. Device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the applying device is connected to a heat source.

3. Device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the applying device is designed to meter the contact-resistance-lowering medium (15).

4. Device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the applying device is designed in the form of a nozzle (11).

5. Device (1) according to claim 4, wherein the nozzle (11) is designed as a sheath flow nozzle.

6. Device (1) according to claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the applying device is movably arranged.

7. Device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the applying device is designed as a deflector (12).

8. Device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the applying device is connected to a high voltage source.

9. Device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the applying device is arranged such that the contact-resistance-lowering medium (15) can be applied directly to the application device (21).

10. Device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the application device (21) is connected to a heat source.

11. Device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the application device (21) has, at the end which is at the rear in the direction of travel, a contact element having gradually or incrementally increasing resistance (60).

12. Device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein, in addition to the travel movement, the application device (21) is designed to perform an autonomous movement in, counter to or transversely to the travel movement.

13. Device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the second module (20) comprises at least one protective metal disk (70) having lateral edge-free electrical insulation (71).

14. Vehicle (30) comprising a device (1) according to any of claims 1 - 13.

15. Method for applying electrical current to plants (40) in order to exert an herbicidal effect by means of a device according to any of claims 1 - 13, comprising the steps of: - targetedly applying an electrical-contact-resistance-lowering medium (15) to plants (40), - applying electric current to plants (40) wetted by the medium (15), characterized in that the application of the electrical-contact-resistance-lowering medium (15) by the at least one sensor system is growth-controlled.

16. Method according to claim 15, wherein the contact-resistance-lowering medium (15) is selected from the group consisting of an aqueous liquid, an oil, a viscous liquid, a highly concentrated solution, a thixotropic liquid, a suspension, an emulsion, a solid, and a foam.

17. Method according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the amount of contact-resistance-lowering medium (15) used is controlled on the basis of the conductivity of plants (40) and soil (44) in the region of the applying device (11, 12) and / or application device (21).

18. Method according to any of claims 15 - 17, wherein the contact-resistance-lowering medium (15), the applying device (11, 12) and / or the application device (21) are heated at most to the main boiling point of the contact-resistance-lowering medium (15).

19. Method according to any of claims 15 - 18, wherein the contact-resistance-lowering medium (15) is electrically charged.

20. Method according to any of claims 15 - 19, wherein the plants (40) are mechanically preconditioned and / or post-treated.