Method for the electro-treatment of plants

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for the electro-treatment of plants (40), said method comprising the steps: (S400) applying direct electric current to the contacted stems (43) and / or the leaves (41) of the plants (40) in the predefined surface portion (A), wherein a first applicator unit (2a) for the electro-treatment of plants (40) is designed according to a first criterion, and wherein a first converter (7a) of the treatment device (1) supplies the first applicator unit (2a) for the electro-treatment of plants (40) with electrical operating energy, and (S600) applying direct electric current to the contacted stems (43) and / or the leaves (41) of the plants (40) in the predefined surface portion (A), wherein a second applicator unit (2b) for the electro-treatment of plants (40) is designed according to a second criterion which is different from or the same as the first criterion, and wherein a second converter (7b) of the treatment device (1) supplies the second applicator unit (2b) for the electro-treatment of plants (40) with electrical operating energy.

Description

[0001] Method for electro-treatment of plants

[0002] The invention relates to a method and a treatment device for the electrotreatment of plants, in particular during desiccation of crops, for green manure control, or for weed control. Furthermore, the invention relates to a carrier vehicle with such a treatment device and a kit containing components of such a treatment device.

[0003] Desiccation (German: Austrocknung) is a process in agriculture in which crops are destroyed with, among other things, desiccated materials to accelerate ripening. It facilitates harvesting and promotes the ripening of crops. This chemical desiccation mimics the natural desiccation process of wilting annual crops during ripening, in which the above-ground, green parts of the plant and the roots and other parts close to the surface dry out. A welcome side effect is the simultaneous killing of weeds, whose still-green parts would otherwise be harvested with grain, for example, increasing the moisture content of the harvested crop. Their seed loss or further growth can increase weed density in the fields.

[0004] Field crops are cultivated plants grown in fields. Field crops include cereals, root crops, legumes, oilseeds, and green crops such as silage maize, which are used as animal feed or for energy production.

[0005] Green manure is a natural method in agriculture for soil cover and improvement. It primarily refers to the targeted cultivation and subsequent killing of plants that are not harvested but remain in the field for purposes such as erosion control, nutrient conservation, or soil improvement / humus formation. Cover crops can also be used for this purpose during the final cultivation phase. A cover crop is a crop grown between other primary crops as green manure or for use as animal feed.

[0006] The term "control of weeds regardless of location" refers to the method generally described as weed control, in which any plants that are not desired at the current growing location (field, meadow, pasture, traffic area, parts of buildings or others) at a chosen time for functional or aesthetic reasons are treated by suitable methods such as electrophysical methods in such a way that they die completely or are significantly weakened or inhibited in their further growth or are reset to an earlier stage.

[0007] Electrophysical processes that introduce electrical current into plants and then absorb it from the same plant, neighboring plants, or the soil enable residue-free treatment because no chemical agents are used. The conductive agents used serve to save energy and increase efficiency, are readily biodegradable, and contain only non-critical nitrate- and phosphate-free salts, which the plants need for healthy growth anyway.

[0008] When electric current flows through plant parts, they are damaged depending on the electrical current intensity, electrical voltage, current type (direct current, alternating current, frequency, degree of smoothing or residual ripple, etc.). A comprehensive and unified theory of the effect does not yet exist. It can be assumed with certainty that the vascular bundles for fluid transport in the plant, as the parts with the lowest electrical resistance, are damaged to such an extent that they become non-functional. As a result, the plant dies and dries out depending on the degree of damage and the weather conditions. With high energy consumption, local thermal destruction of plant tissue can also occur. The use of direct current for the electrotreatment of plants is known, for example, from US 2,007,383 and WO 2019 / 052591 A1, while the use of direct or alternating current, for exampleknown from WO 2018 / 095450 A1 or WO 2018 / 050142 A1.

[0009] Traditionally, two metallic applicators are used to apply electrical current to plants in order to at least keep the electrical resistance at the contact point as low as possible.

[0010] Such applicators are also referred to as long-range applicators (also known as tongue applicators or LRBs). Such applicators have a spacing of, for example, 0.8 m to 1 m. However, short-range applicators (SRAs) can also be used, with spacing in the range of 0.1 m to 0.5 m.

[0011] Furthermore, in some cases the circuit is not closed by a second contact on plants with the opposite pole, but by electrodes cutting into the soil.

[0012] From DE 10 2021 114 692 A1 a method and a device for treating plants are known, especially for desiccating potato plants, but also for controlling green manure.

[0013] Another method for the electrical treatment of plants is known from DE 10 2020 115 923 A1.

[0014] There is therefore a need to demonstrate ways to achieve improvements here, particularly with regard to the effectiveness of electrotreatment of plants. The object of the invention is achieved by a method for electrotreating plants, particularly during desiccation of crops, for green manure control, or for weed control, comprising the steps:

[0015] Bringing a first applicator unit of a treatment device for the electro-treatment of plants into contact with stems and / or leaves of the plants in a predetermined area,

[0016] Applying direct electrical current to the contacted stems and / or leaves of the plants in the predetermined area, wherein the first applicator unit for the electrical treatment of plants is designed according to a first criterion, and wherein a first converter of the treatment device supplies the first applicator unit for the electrical treatment of plants with electrical operating energy,

[0017] Bringing a second applicator unit of the treatment device for the electro-treatment of plants into contact with stems and / or leaves of the plants in the predetermined area section, and

[0018] Applying direct electrical current to the contacted stems and / or leaves of the plants in the predetermined area, wherein the second applicator unit is designed for the electrical treatment of plants according to a second criterion that is different from or identical to the first criterion, and wherein a second converter of the treatment device supplies the second applicator unit for the electrical treatment of plants with electrical operating energy. In other words, plants in the predetermined area are subjected to an electrical treatment first with the first applicator unit and then with the second applicator unit. By differently optimizing the two applicator units according to different criteria, it is achieved that both applicator units complement each other in their effect and thus together increase the effectiveness of the electrical treatment.This eliminates the need to optimize a single applicator unit with regard to two criteria that partially contradict each other and merely represent a compromise.

[0019] Optimization with respect to one criterion, for example, leads to a specific geometry and specific arrangement positions of the individual applicators. Even if the first criterion is the same as the second criterion, i.e., the two applicator units are identical, different operating states, including current intensities, can arise during consecutive multiple treatments, resulting in different operating points for converters. This is due to the fact that plants either change their geometry due to the previous electrical treatment (e.g., bent to the side, pressed down, and no longer straightening up before the next electrical treatment) or change internally or on the surface due to the initial treatment.

[0020] Because each applicator unit is assigned its own converter to supply it with electrical operating power, the two converters can be operated independently of one another. If, for example, one of the two converters is at its power limit and an increase in the output electrical power is necessary due to internal converter controllers, but is not possible because the power limit has been reached, the other converter and thus the other applicator units can still be operated as usual and without disruption. In the event of an arc, it is also possible to temporarily deactivate only the affected converter with the assigned applicator unit in order to extinguish the arc, while the other converter and thus the other applicator units can continue to operate without problems.

[0021] This can increase the effectiveness of electrical treatment of plants.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the first converter of the second applicator unit is at least partially and / or temporarily supplied with electrical operating energy according to a predetermined first load distribution and / or the second converter of the first applicator unit is at least partially and / or temporarily supplied with electrical operating energy according to a predetermined second load distribution. In other words, the two converters are designed for bidirectional power exchange. If necessary, electrical power can be transferred from the first converter to the second converter and vice versa. In this way, an increased power requirement of the second converter, for example, can be satisfied with the help of the first converter. In this way, the effectiveness of the electrical treatment of plants can be further increased.

[0023] According to a further embodiment, the first criterion is a first shape, in particular a first preferred direction of plant growth, and the second criterion is a second shape, in particular a second preferred direction of plant growth, wherein the first shape, in particular the first preferred direction of plant growth, and the second shape, in particular the second preferred direction of plant growth, are different. Thus, it can be taken into account that plants have different preferred directions, in whose respective directions the plants preferentially grow. For example, different sections of plants that grow in different directions can be subjected to electrical treatment one after the other.

[0024] According to a further embodiment, the first criterion is a first height of the plants above the ground, and the second criterion is a second height of the plants above the ground. For example, different sections of plants located at different heights or positions can be subjected to electrical treatment one after the other.

[0025] According to a further embodiment, the first criterion is an electrotreatment of the plants above the ground, and the second criterion is an electrotreatment of the plants in the ground. Thus, parts of plants located above the ground, such as stems and / or leaves, and parts located in the ground, such as plant roots, can be subjected to electrotreatment one after the other.

[0026] According to a further embodiment, the predetermined first load distribution and / or the predetermined second load distribution are specified manually. For example, a driver of a carrier vehicle equipped with the treatment device for electro-treating plants can adjust the load distribution using an adjustment element, e.g., after a visual inspection of the plant growth. The adjustment element can be a rotary control or an element of a graphical user interface of a human-machine interface (HMI), such as a touchscreen.

[0027] According to a further embodiment, the predetermined first load distribution and / or the predetermined second load distribution is determined automatically. For this purpose, image data sets can be analyzed, for example, which were obtained by means of a drone flight over a field with plants to be treated and show the plant growth. Provision can also be made to record and analyze the respective load consumption of the two converters. Since the respective load consumption is proportional to the biomass of the treated plants, the load consumption of the two converters differs from one another if the plants to be treated have a certain preferred direction and the two applicator units are designed according to different preferred directions of plant growth. This imbalance can be analyzed to determine a load distribution.According to a further embodiment, in a further step, a mixture of substances is specifically applied to at least one part of the plant, in particular to stems and / or leaves of the plants, wherein the mixture of substances has at least one component which reduces the electrical contact resistance in the area of ​​the plant surface, wherein the mixture of substances has at least a first component which contains at least one surface-active substance selected from the group consisting of surfactants, and at least a second component which contains at least one viscosity-increasing substance selected from the group consisting of pure silicic acids, pyrogenic silicic acids, mixed oxides, magnesium phyllosilicates, organic additives based on biogenic oils and their derivatives, polyamides and modified carbohydrates.

[0028] Furthermore, the mixture of substances can comprise one or more components, wherein one of the components has multiple effects, such as the effect of a surface-active substance and the effect of a viscosity-increasing substance.

[0029] Furthermore, it is planned to carry out at least the step of electro-treatment of plants, especially during desiccation of crops, for green manure control or for weed control

[0030] Applying an electrical voltage with a peak-to-valley value of less than 1,000 V to plants.

[0031] The peak-to-valley value (formerly peak-to-peak value) is the range of the electrical voltage fluctuation from the lowest value (including negative values) to the highest value during a period. In other words, it corresponds to the difference between a maximum and a minimum value of the electrical voltage.

[0032] It was surprisingly found that when the peak-to-valley value is less than 1,000 V, the number of unwanted voltage surges accompanied by arcs between two applicators with different potential located in an applicator unit or in applicator units can be significantly reduced.

[0033] This makes it possible to arrange multiple applicators staggered in a row of applicators and operate them without unwanted voltage surges and / or arcing. Furthermore, it is possible to arrange multiple applicator units next to each other or one behind the other in the direction of travel in a row of applicators. This allows for targeted electrical treatment of plants, either directly at the plant shoots or shallowly in the soil, with multiple applicators in a single applicator unit at a reduced distance from each other.

[0034] The invention further includes a treatment device for the electrical treatment of plants, a carrier vehicle with such a treatment device and a kit containing components of such a treatment device.

[0035] The invention will now be explained with reference to the figures. They show:

[0036] Figure 1 shows a schematic side view of a

[0037] Embodiment of a carrier vehicle with a treatment device for the electrical treatment of plants.

[0038] Figure 2 shows a schematic plan view of the device shown in Figure

[0039] Figure 1 shows the carrier vehicle with the treatment device for electro-treating plants. Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of the converters assigned to the treatment device.

[0040] Figure 4 shows a schematic representation of components of a

[0041] Evaluation device.

[0042] Figure 5 shows an applicator unit according to an embodiment of the device shown in Figures 1 and 2.

[0043] Figure 6 shows the applicator unit shown in Figure 5 in operation.

[0044] Figure 7 also shows the applicator unit shown in Figure 5 in operation.

[0045] Figure 8 shows a schematic representation of a process flow for

[0046] Operation of the carrier vehicle shown in Figures 1 and 2.

[0047] Reference is first made to Figure 1.

[0048] Figure 1 shows an arrangement of individual components of a treatment device 1 for treating plants on an agricultural machine serving as a carrier vehicle 30.

[0049] The treatment device 1 can be used, for example, to desiccate or generally control / kill plants by applying an electric current. Provision can be made here to reduce electrical contact resistances prior to applying an electric current by first applying a contact resistance-reducing substance mixture 15, such as a suitable liquid. Agricultural machinery is a specialized machine used primarily in agriculture. It can be self-propelled or pulled by an agricultural towing vehicle, such as a tractor, or permanently attached to one. In other words, the agricultural machinery can be a towing vehicle with its own drive or a trailer without its own drive that is towed by a towing vehicle.

[0050] In the present embodiment, the carrier vehicle 30 is designed as a tractor. Deviating from the present embodiment, the carrier vehicle 30 can also be designed as a fertilizing, seeding, or harvesting machine that has been modified by attaching the components of the treatment device 1. For this purpose, the components of the treatment device 1 can also be provided in the form of a kit. For example, the kit can include components of a treatment device 1 designed as an attachment.

[0051] The treatment device 1 can have one or more modules 10, 20, each of which can be configured as an attachment. The treatment device 1 can be configured as a machine / agricultural machine, i.e., as interchangeable equipment consisting of up to two attachments that are simultaneously mounted on the carrier vehicle 30. Furthermore, the treatment device 1 can be configured as interchangeable equipment, i.e., as a device that the driver of the carrier vehicle 30 attaches to it after it has been put into operation in order to change or expand its function, provided that this equipment is not a tool.

[0052] In the present embodiment, the treatment device 1 comprises a first module 10 for applying the contact resistance-reducing substance mixture 15 and a second module 20 for transmitting direct electrical current to plants. By applying the contact resistance-reducing substance mixture 15, contact resistances, e.g., between applicators and contacted plant parts, can be reduced. Furthermore, the tendency toward arcing is reduced, which reduces energy consumption.

[0053] Deviating from the present exemplary embodiment, the treatment device 1 can also have only a second module 20 for transmitting electrical current to the plants. Furthermore, it can be provided that, for example, in a combination consisting of a towing vehicle and a trailer pulled by the towing vehicle, the first module 10 is assigned to the towing vehicle and components of the second module 20 are assigned to the towing vehicle and the trailer. The components of the second module 20 can also be assigned only to the trailer. Furthermore, the components of the first module 10 and the second module 20 can be assigned to the trailer.

[0054] In the present embodiment, the first module 10 is arranged at the front and the second module 20 at the rear of the carrier vehicle 30. This arrangement allows the application of the contact resistance-reducing substance mixture 15 to always take place before or simultaneously with the electrotreatment by applying an electric current, such as a direct current.

[0055] The first module 10 has at least one application device designed to apply the contact resistance-reducing substance mixture 15 to the plants. The first module 10 has a plurality of jointly or preferably individually controllable nozzles 11, which are arranged within a desired overall working width of the treatment device 1 (e.g., 0.3-48 m, preferably 6-27 m).

[0056] In the present embodiment, the carrier vehicle 30 supplies mechanical drive energy via a power take-off shaft 31 or a hydraulic circuit for an electric generator 32 of the second module 20, which in the present embodiment is located in the rear area of ​​the carrier vehicle 30. For treatment devices 1 with very high energy requirements, e.g., due to very large working widths or carrier vehicles 30 without sufficient free power capacity, independent power generator systems can also be used, which can be coupled to the carrier vehicle 30, mounted on a semi-trailer, or moved on a trailer.

[0057] Electrical current is conducted from the generator 32 via electrical lines to at least one transformation and control unit 33 of the second module 20. There, the electrical current is converted for transformation and then brought to the predetermined electrical voltage with a predetermined residual ripple in centrally or distributed transformers and further control units.

[0058] In the present embodiment, the second module 20 has two applicator units 2a, 2b, each with a plurality of applicators 21a, 21b, 21c and 21d, 21e, 21f for applying direct electrical current to plants, which are arranged one behind the other in the direction of travel FR, so that plants first come into contact with the applicators 21a, 21b, 21c of the first applicator unit 2a, and then subsequently with the applicators 21d, 21e, 21f of the second applicator unit 2b, thereby transmitting electrical current. Deviating from the present embodiment, more than two applicator units 2a, 2b can also be provided. The applicators 21a, 21b, 21c, 21d, 21e, 21f are arranged on a parallelogram-like support structure 24.

[0059] Applicators 21a, 21b, 21c or 21d, 21e, 21f of an applicator unit 2a, 2b are understood here to be individual, possibly multiple, and spatially separated electrically conductive contact units between plants, normally connected to a high-voltage source. The applicators 21a, 21b, 21c or 21d, 21e, 21f exhibit different electrical potentials during operation depending on the circuit and contacting. An applicator unit 2a, 2b is understood to be a unit consisting of at least two applicators—in the present embodiment, at least three applicators 21a, 21b, 21c, and 21d, 21e, 21f, respectively—which have different electrical potentials during operation and are connected to different potential outputs of a single high-voltage unit, thus being clearly assigned and uniformly electrically controlled. However, it is possible to electrically deactivate parts of an applicator unit 2a, 2b.An applicator unit 2a, 2b can, but need not, consist of a mechanically fixed assembly and can thus be distinguished from other applicator units 2a, 2b. Thus, it is possible for an applicator unit 2a, 2b to be distributed across several mechanically and spatially independent assemblies. Conversely, several applicator units 2a, 2b can also be combined into a rigid assembly.

[0060] Reference is now made additionally to Figure 2.

[0061] Two applicator units 2a, 2b arranged one behind the other in the direction of travel FR are arranged next to one another in an applicator row 12, wherein the direction of extension of the applicator row 12 preferably extends transversely, in the present embodiment at an angle of 90°, to the direction of travel FR of the carrier vehicle 30.

[0062] Figure 2 shows that a section A of an area with plants was treated with the treatment device 1 by applying a direct electric current. For this purpose, the carrier vehicle 30 moved the treatment device 1 in the direction of travel FR at a speed v over the section A and applied a direct electric current across the entire width b of the applicator row 12. Thus, each pair of applicator units 2a, 2b applies the current to a strip-shaped section A of the area.

[0063] For this purpose, a plurality of converters 7a, 7b of the second module 20 are assigned to the treatment device 1 in the present embodiment, which is explained with additional reference to Figure 3. In the present embodiment, each of the applicator units 2a, 2b of the applicator row 12 is assigned a converter 7a, 7b, ie, each applicator unit 2a, 2b of the applicator row 12 has its own converter 7a, 7b.

[0064] In the present embodiment, generator 32 provides three-phase electrical current with a voltage of 400 V and a frequency of 50 Hz to 60 Hz. A distribution unit distributes the three-phase electrical current to the plurality of converters 7a, 7b.

[0065] After conversion by the respective converters 7a, 7b, as well as rectification with rectifiers (not shown), and subsequent smoothing with smoothing capacitors (also not shown), an electrical DC voltage of 1,600 V to 5,500 V with a maximum residual ripple of 5% to 20% (in the frequency range 60 kHz to 100 kHz) is provided. Thus, each of the plurality of converters 7a, 7b provides a first polarity P1 at a first output, a positive polarity in the present embodiment, and a second polarity P2 at its second output, a negative polarity in the present embodiment.

[0066] In the present embodiment, power control is achieved by a combined frequency and pulse width modulation.

[0067] The respective converters 7a, 7b are electrically connected to the applicators 21a, 21b, 21c or 21d, 21e, 21f. The converters 7a, 7b continuously record a respective strength of the electrical direct current I and a level of the electrical direct voltage U on a secondary side of the converter 7a, 7b, so that a value for the ohmic resistance can be determined at any time. The respective converters 7a, 7b are given a respective setpoint SW1, SW2 for the DC power output P to be delivered, e.g. according to a load distribution LV1, LV2. If the respective recorded ohmic resistance at the applicators 21a, 21b, 21c or 21d, 21e, 21f is too high (a maximum electrical direct voltage U is reached), the DC power output P drops in line with the ohmic resistance. However, the level of the applied electrical direct voltage U remains unchanged due to a voltage limitation.Since the DC voltage U and the DC current I can also be measured, a value for the ohmic resistance can be reliably determined even in this state. The same applies to current limitation. Once a maximum DC current I is reached, the output DC power P decreases linearly with the ohmic resistance. Even in this operating state, the strength of the DC current I and the level of the DC voltage U on the secondary side continue to be reliably measured.

[0068] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, each converter pair, consisting of two converters 7a, 7b each, which are assigned to two applicator units 2a, 2b arranged one behind the other in the direction of travel FR, is designed for bidirectional power exchange.

[0069] In other words, the first converter 7a can supply not only the first applicator unit 2a but also the second applicator unit 2b with electrical operating energy at least partially and / or temporarily according to the load distribution LV1. Conversely, in the present exemplary embodiment, the second converter 7b of the second applicator unit 2b can also supply the first applicator unit 2a with electrical operating energy at least partially and / or temporarily according to the second load distribution LV2.

[0070] In the present embodiment, the treatment device 1 is designed to apply an electrical voltage U to plants, which is a rectified and smoothed direct current voltage.

[0071] The electrical voltage is composed of a constant constant value and a residual ripple value, with the residual ripple value fluctuating between a maximum and a minimum value. The difference between the maximum and minimum values ​​corresponds to the peak-to-valley value.

[0072] The peak-to-valley value is less than 1,000 V. In the present embodiment, the peak-to-valley value is in a range from 100 V to 500 V, depending on the load (pure ohmic resistance).

[0073] Reference is now additionally made to Figure 4 to explain a method and apparatus for automatically determining the first load distribution LV1 and the second load distribution LV2.

[0074] This method and the device are based on a biomass determination of the biomass B converted with the respective first applicator unit 2a and the second applicator unit 2b.

[0075] Since the respective load capacity is proportional to the biomass B of the treated plants, the load capacity of the two converters 7a, 7b differs from each other if, for example, the plants to be treated have a certain preferred direction and the two applicator units 2a, 2b are designed according to different preferred directions of plant growth. This imbalance in the load capacity or biomass B can be evaluated to determine the respective load distributions LV1, LV2.

[0076] To determine the biomass B of the plants on the treated area section A, an evaluation device 70 is provided for biomass determination. Each of the applicator units 2a, 2b or each converter 7a, 7b can be assigned an evaluation device 70. Alternatively, a single evaluation device 70 can be provided, which is then alternately connected to each of the applicator units 2a, 2b or each converter 7a, 7b to determine the respective biomass B. In the present exemplary embodiment, the evaluation device 70 has an area determination module 71, a power determination module 72, and a biomass determination module 73.

[0077] For the tasks and / or functions described below, the evaluation device 70, in particular the area determination module 71, the power determination module 72 and the biomass determination module 73, can each have hardware and / or software components.

[0078] In the present embodiment, the area determination module 71 is designed to read a driving speed v of the carrier vehicle 30. The driving speed v can be determined using a speedometer of the carrier vehicle 30 and made available for reading, for example, via a 7-pin connector according to ISO 11786 or via an ISOBUS interface. Alternatively, a cutting disc can be provided that rolls along the ground and whose rotational speed is recorded and evaluated to determine the driving speed v.

[0079] Furthermore, in the present exemplary embodiment, the area determination module 71 is designed to detect a travel duration T, beginning with a start signal and ending with an end signal for the times t1, t2, wherein the plants on the area section A are subjected to direct electrical current I during the travel duration T.

[0080] Furthermore, in the present exemplary embodiment, the area determination module 71 is designed to automatically determine the width b of the applicator row 12 of the treatment device 1 based on the number of active applicators 21 a, 21 b, 21 c, 21 d, 21 e, 21 f. Active applicators 21 a, 21 b, 21 c, 21 d, 21 e, 21 f are applicators that have not been switched off, i.e., deactivated. Additionally or alternatively, it can be provided that the driver of the carrier vehicle 30 manually enters, via an HMI (Human Machine Interface) of the carrier vehicle 30, which applicators 21 a, 21 b, 21 c, 21 d, 21 e, 21 f are active and which are inactive. In the present embodiment, the area determination module 71 is designed to determine the size of the area section A by evaluating the driving speed v, the driving time T and the width b. In this case, the area determination module 71 can be designed, for example,changing driving speeds v and / or changing widths b must be taken into account.

[0081] In the present exemplary embodiment, the power determination module 72 is designed to detect and evaluate the strength of the electrical direct current I and the level of the electrical direct voltage U on the secondary side of the converter 7a, 7b in order to determine the value indicative of the electrical direct current power output P.

[0082] In the present exemplary embodiment, the biomass determination module 73 is designed to read in the size of the surface section A determined by the area determination module 71 and the electrical direct current power output P determined by the power determination module 72. Furthermore, in the present exemplary embodiment, the biomass determination module 73 is designed to read in and take into account a vegetation-specific factor F and a value indicative of an electrical resistance R of the soil of the treated surface section A in order to determine the biomass B.

[0083] The vegetation-specific factor F can, for example, take into account a type and / or a shape and / or a size and / or a condition of the plant. For this purpose, the vegetation-specific factor F can be based on a plurality of corresponding sub-factors. The sub-factors can be entered manually by a driver of the carrier vehicle 30 via an HMI of the carrier vehicle 30 or can be determined automatically, e.g. by means of image analysis or a different type of sensor system, e.g. paired with archived values ​​in a stored table, in order to then determine the vegetation-specific factor F. The value indicative of an electrical resistance R of the soil can be measured in advance or simultaneously during the determination of the biomass B or, alternatively, can be entered manually via an HMI of the carrier vehicle 30 or, alternatively, can be read from an archived table.

[0084] The biomass determination module 73 then provides a value indicative of the biomass B of plants treated with the treatment device 1 by applying direct electrical current, e.g., relative to a unit area, which can be output, e.g., via the HMI or stored on a data storage device. Furthermore, the biomass determination module 73 can provide a value indicative of the biomass B relative to a unit area for a part of the area section A determined, e.g., by the driver, i.e., for a freely configurable sub-area of ​​the area section A. Such a sub-area can be configured using an HMI of the carrier vehicle 30.

[0085] Deviating from the present exemplary embodiment, it can also be provided that the first load distribution LV1 and the second load distribution LV2 are specified manually. For this purpose, a driver of the carrier vehicle 30 can, for example, adjust the load distributions LV1, LV2 using an adjustment element, e.g., after a visual inspection of the plant growth.

[0086] Furthermore, in deviation from the present embodiment, an image analysis of image data sets can be carried out which were obtained, for example, by means of a drone flight over a field with plants to be treated and which show the plant growth.

[0087] Furthermore, in deviation from the present embodiment, GPS-based field maps can be used. These primarily contain data on driving lanes. They can also be expanded with data on seeding / planting densities / seed qualities of the crops, as well as growth data based on any third-party sensor technology (data from sensor-supported fertilizer spreaders, satellite data, drone data, etc.). Further data describing a vehicle geometry, e.g. of the carrier vehicle 30, can also be taken into account. Furthermore, the data can also be used for the automatic area-related adjustment of the applied quantity or the chemical properties of the additionally applied liquid contact resistance-reducing substance mixture 15 in order to increase its effectiveness and thus the overall effectiveness of the electrotreatment. With the help of the GPS data, electrical voltages on plants 40, such asRoot weeds, or applicators 21a, 21b, 21c, 21d, 21e, 21f can be switched on or off, for example to improve the effect on roots by a longer soil passage at high electrical voltage.

[0088] Furthermore, data records relating to successful system parameterizations and procedures (e.g., driving speeds) can be saved in combination with other external data (field maps, potato varieties, etc.) and retrieved at any time as a template. This not only provides the driver with optimized device parameterization, but also allows them to retrieve additional information and procedure parameters.

[0089] Reference is now additionally made to Figure 5 to explain further details of the treatment device 1 according to an embodiment.

[0090] The first applicator unit 2a has a first, in particular substantially stationary applicator 21a, a second, in particular substantially stationary applicator 21b and a third, in particular substantially stationary applicator 21c, which are each fastened to the support structure 24.

[0091] In this context, essentially stationary means that although slight movements of the applicators 21a, 21b, 21c are possible, however, for example, a distance A1 between the first applicator 21a and the second applicator 21b as well as a distance A2 between the second applicator 21b and the third applicator 21c only changes slightly, for example by 3%, 5% or even

[0092] 10% of the value of distance A1 or the value of distance A2.

[0093] In the present exemplary embodiment, the first applicator 21 a, the second applicator 21 b and the third applicator 21 c are arranged one after the other in the direction of travel FR of the applicator unit 2 a at a distance A1 and the distance A2 from one another, respectively.

[0094] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the first applicator 21 a, the second applicator 21 b and the third applicator 21 c are each rod-shaped with a main extension direction HR, which in the present embodiment extends straight at a right angle to the direction of travel FR.

[0095] In other words, the first applicator 21 a and the third applicator 21 c can also be regarded as external applicators, and the second applicator 21 b can be regarded as an internal applicator, wherein the external applicators each have the same polarity P1 and the internal applicator has the other polarity P2.

[0096] In the present embodiment, the first applicator 21a, the second applicator 21b, and the third applicator 21c are each formed as round rods made of an electrically conductive material. Thus, the first applicator 21a, the second applicator 21b, and the third applicator 21c each have a continuous outer surface without edges, protrusions, or similar surface discontinuities.

[0097] The distance A1 between the first applicator 21a and the second applicator 21b as well as the distance A2 between the second applicator 21b and the third applicator 21c can be in the range from 1.5 m to 0.15 m. In the present embodiment, it is in the range from 15 cm to 20 cm. Such applicators are also referred to as short applicators (SRA - for English: Short Range Blade). In the present embodiment, the distance A1 and the distance A2 are unequal. In the present embodiment, the distance A1 is smaller than the distance A2. In the present embodiment, the distance A1 is 15 cm and the distance A2 is 20 cm.

[0098] Because the distance A1 in the present embodiment is smaller than the distance A2, and thus the respective electric field strength between the first applicator 21a and the second applicator 21b is greater than between the second applicator 21b and the third applicator 21c, arc formation between the second applicator 21b and the third applicator 21c is reduced in the present embodiment, particularly when the second applicator 21b is subjected to negative polarity and the third applicator 21c is subjected to positive polarity. Because the distance A2 is larger than the distance A1, the electric field strength is lower, which counteracts the formation of arcs.

[0099] The second applicator unit 2b, like the applicator unit 2a according to the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 3, also has a first applicator 21d, which is arranged in a substantially stationary manner, a second applicator 21e, which is arranged in a substantially stationary manner, and a third applicator 21f, which is arranged in a substantially stationary manner, wherein the second applicator 21e, which can be regarded as an internal applicator in analogy to the applicator unit 2a, has two partial applicators 21e', 21e" in the present exemplary embodiment.

[0100] In the present exemplary embodiment, the first applicator 21 d, the two partial applicators 21 e', 21 e" of the second applicator 21 e and the third applicator 21 f each have a connecting section 17 and an electrode section 18 made of an electrical conductor material with a free distal end. The respective connecting sections 17 and / or electrode sections 18 can be designed to be more flexible than, for example, the applicators 21 a, 21 b, 21 c of the first applicator unit 2a, ie they can deform reversibly if necessary upon contact with the ground and / or plants. In the present exemplary embodiment, the first applicator 21 d and the third applicator 21 f are designed to be longer than the two partial applicators 21 e', 21 e" of the second applicator 21 e.Thus, the first applicator 21 d and the third applicator 21 f can be immersed in depressions in the soil on both sides of a plant and contact the stems and / or leaves of the plant 40 located there, as will be explained in more detail later.

[0101] By designing the second applicator 21 e with two partial applicators 21 e', 21 e", two edge sections of a treatment area can be subjected to direct electrical current, while a central section of the treatment area, which is located between the two edge sections, is not treated.

[0102] Furthermore, since in the present exemplary embodiment, the second applicator 21 e in particular has two partial applicators 21 e', 21 e", the respective distance A3, A4 from the first applicator 21 d and from the third applicator 21 f can be kept small. This allows high electric field strengths to be achieved between them. To achieve comparable electric field strengths with a second applicator 21 d without partial applicators 21 e', 21 e", significantly higher electrical voltages would otherwise be required.

[0103] Deviating from the present embodiment, the second applicator 21 e can also be designed as a single applicator.

[0104] In the present embodiment, a distance A3 between the first applicator 21 d and the partial applicator 21 e' of the second applicator 21 e corresponds to the distance A4 between the third applicator 21 f and the partial applicator 21 e" of the second applicator 21 e. Thus, in the present embodiment, the distance A3 and the distance A4 are equal.

[0105] By assigning the polarities P1, P2 to the respective first applicator 21a, 21d, the second applicator 21b, 21e and the third applicator 21c, 21f of the first applicator unit 2a or the second applicator unit 2b according to the present exemplary embodiment, it is ensured that the polarities P1, P2 are the same for a first applicator 21a, 21d, a second applicator 21b, 21e and / or a third applicator 21c, 21f of an immediately adjacent first applicator unit 2a or second applicator unit 2b of the applicator row 12. In this way, potential differences between adjacent applicator units 2a, 2b of the applicator rows 12 and thus arc formation are minimized.

[0106] Reference is now additionally made to Figure 6 to explain the operation of the treatment device 1 with the first applicator unit 2a, in which desiccation of plants 40 is to be effected. The plants 40 can be, for example, root vegetables with a plant tuber in the soil 44, such as sweet potato, cassava, yam, yacon, carrot, radish, horseradish, salsify, various turnip forms, parsnip, root parsley, swede, beetroot, radish, chervil, celeriac, kohlrabi, or celeriac. In the present embodiment, the plants 40 are potato plants.

[0107] During operation, the first applicator 21a has a first polarity P1, a positive polarity in the present embodiment; the second applicator 21b has a second polarity P2, a negative polarity in the present embodiment; and the third applicator 21c has the first polarity P1 due to the electrical connection to a constant power source (not shown), which results in the physical current directions indicated by the arrows. This selection of polarities P1, P2 can reduce arcing between the first applicator 21a and the second applicator 21b.

[0108] The first applicator 21a, the second applicator 21b, and the third applicator 21c can be supplied with the electrical DC voltage in the range of 1,600 V to 5,500 V. In the present embodiment, the first applicator 21a, the second applicator 21b, and the third applicator 21c are supplied with an electrical DC voltage in a range of 1,600 V to 5,500 V.

[0109] Between the first applicator 21a and the second applicator 21b, as well as between the second applicator 21b and the third applicator 21c, an electric field strength is established whose value can be in the range from 1,066.6 V / m (= 1,600 V / 1.5 m) to 36,666 V / m (= 5,500 V / 0.15 m). In the present exemplary embodiment, an electric field strength is established in each case whose value is in the range from 10,000 V / m (= 2,000 V / 0.20 m) to 33,333 V / m (= 5,000 V / 0.15 m). Furthermore, both electric field strengths are oppositely directed.

[0110] The treatment device 1 is then moved in the direction of travel FR across a field 34 containing plants 40, e.g., at speeds in the range of 2 km / h to 6 km / h. The treatment device 1 moves with the first applicator unit 2a at a low height above the ground. This is intended to ensure that no contact occurs between any of the applicators 21a, 21b, 21c and the soil 44.

[0111] During operation, the first applicator 21 a and the second applicator 21 b as well as the third applicator 21 c are brought into contact, in particular without contact with the ground, with a shoot axis 43 and / or leaves 41 of the plant 40 and thus the contacted shoot axis 43 and / or leaves 41 of the plant 40 are subjected to direct electrical current, wherein the constant power source provides a substantially constant electrical power.

[0112] In other words, a main current component is established whose current path does not pass through the soil, but only through the stem axis 43 and / or leaves 41 of the plant 40. However, secondary current components may arise upon contact with the soil, whose current path partially passes through the soil. The main current component accounts for at least half of the total electrical current flowing between two of the three applicators 21a, 21b, 21c. In contrast, when using long applicators, a main current component flows through the soil.

[0113] Depending on which of the three applicators 21 a, 21 b, 21 c are in contact with the stem axis 43 and / or leaves 41 of the plant 40 or not, the electrical (ohmic) load changes due to the movement in the direction of travel FR, the constant power source providing a substantially constant electrical power.

[0114] It should be noted that the statements made here with regard to the applicator unit 2a also apply analogously to the second applicator unit 2b, ie the second applicator unit 2b is also moved in the direction of travel FR after the first applicator unit 2a over the field 34 with plants 40 at a low height above the ground in order to ensure that there is no contact of any of the applicators 21d, 21e, 21f with the ground.

[0115] Furthermore, in the area of ​​the first applicator unit 2a, it is shown that a plant 40 with its leaves 41 can have a first preferred direction LR of plant growth in the form of a longitudinal extension which is greater than the first distance A1 and the second distance A2 together.

[0116] If a plant 40 with its leaves 41 has such a dimension in the direction of travel FR, the first applicator 21a, the second applicator 21b, and the third applicator 21c simultaneously contact the plant 40 with its leaves 41 for a certain period of time during the crossing. In other words, simultaneous multiple contact occurs.

[0117] If, however, the plant 40 with its leaves 41 does not have such a dimension in the direction of travel FR, the first applicator 21a and the second applicator 21b, as well as the second applicator 21b and the third applicator 21c, contact the plant 40 with its leaves 41 one after the other during the crossing. However, simultaneous multiple contact does not occur. Furthermore, in the area of ​​the second applicator unit 2b, a plant 40 with its leaves 41 is shown, which has a second preferred direction QR of plant growth in the form of a transverse extension that is greater than the first distance A3 and the second distance A4 of the second applicator unit 2b.

[0118] If the plant 40 with its leaves 41 has such a dimension transverse to the direction of travel FR, the first applicator 21a and the second applicator 21b as well as the second applicator 21b and the third applicator 21c of the first applicator unit 2a may not contact the plant 40 with its leaves 41 during the crossing in such a way that at least two of the applicators 21a, 21b, 21c contact the plant 40 with its leaves 41 at the same time or simultaneously and consequently no electrical current flow occurs.

[0119] However, in such a case, the first applicator 21d and the partial applicator 21e' of the second applicator 21e and / or the third applicator 21f and the partial applicator 21e" of the second applicator 21e contact the plant 40 with its leaves 41 due to their design and orientation during the pass. Compared to the first applicator unit 2a, the use of the second applicator unit 2b may result in longer contact times with the stem axis 43 and / or leaves 41 of the plant 40.

[0120] Thus, in the present exemplary embodiment, the first applicator unit 2a is designed according to a first criterion and the second applicator unit 2b is designed according to a second criterion in order to ensure effective electrotreatment of plants 40. The two criteria each relate to a shape, in particular a first preferred direction LR and a second preferred direction QR of the plant growth. The first preferred direction LR can, for example, be oriented in the direction of travel FR and the second preferred direction QR can be oriented transversely to the direction of travel FR, with the plants 40 adopting one of these preferred directions LR, QR during or after a first electrotreatment and before a second electrotreatment. In contrast to the present exemplary embodiment, the two criteria can also be the same.

[0121] Because the first converter 7a supplies the second applicator unit 2b with electrical operating energy at least partially and / or temporarily according to the predetermined first load distribution LV1 and / or the second converter 7b supplies the first applicator unit 2a with electrical operating energy at least partially and / or temporarily according to the predetermined second load distribution LV2, a bidirectional energy exchange is possible in the present exemplary embodiment. Thus, if necessary, electrical power can be transferred from the first converter 7a to the second converter 7b and vice versa in order to satisfy an increased power requirement, for example, of the second converter 7b, using the first converter 7a.

[0122] Reference is now made additionally to Figure 7.

[0123] Shown is a plant 40 with a stem 43 and leaves 41. In the present embodiment, the plant 40 is a potato plant located on a raised portion of the ground 44, such as a potato ridge, with the leaves 41 extending at least partially into depressions in the ground 44 next to the raised portion. In contrast to the present embodiment, the plant 40 can also be another plant here, such as a tuber vegetable with a tuber in the ground 44, such as a sweet potato, cassava, yam, yacón, carrot, radish, horseradish, salsify, various types of turnip, parsnip, root parsley, swede, beetroot, radish, chervil, celeriac, kohlrabi, or celeriac.

[0124] It can be seen that in such a scenario, the applicators 21d, 21f, which are longer in the present exemplary embodiment, extend into the depressions in the soil 44 and can also contact the leaves 41 of the plant 40 located there. Thus, in this exemplary embodiment, the first applicator unit 2a is designed according to a first criterion and the second applicator unit 2b is designed according to a second criterion in order to ensure effective electrical treatment of plants 40. The two criteria are each a first height level H1 and a second height level H2 of the plants 40 above the soil 44. For example, the first height level H1 can relate to an upper region, such as the tips of the plants 40, while the second height level H2 relates to an area below the first height level H1 down to the soil 44.

[0125] Deviating from the present embodiment, the first criterion can also be an electrotreatment of the plants 40 above the ground 44, and the second criterion can be an electrotreatment of the plants 40 in the ground 44. In other words, an above-ground height range H3 extends from the upper tips of the plants 40 to the ground 44, while a subterranean height range H4 extends downwards from the ground 44.

[0126] As in the previous embodiment explained with reference to Figure 5, a bidirectional energy exchange is possible, so that, if necessary, electrical power can be transferred from the first converter 7a to the second converter 7b and vice versa in order to satisfy an increased power requirement, for example of the second converter 7b, with the aid of the first converter 7a.

[0127] Reference is now made additionally to Figure 8.

[0128] The method for treating plants 40, in particular for desiccating field crops or for controlling green manure, may comprise applying the transition resistance-reducing substance mixture 15 to the shoot axis 43 and / or the leaves 41 of the plant 40 in advance.

[0129] In a first step S100, the first applicator 21 a with a first polarity P1, the second applicator 21 b with a second polarity P2 and the third applicator 21 c with the first polarity P1 and the first applicator 21 d with the second polarity P2, the second applicator 21 e, optionally with the partial applicators 21 e', 21 e", with the first polarity P1 and the third applicator 21 f with the second polarity P2 are each connected to the regulated constant power source in a way that transmits electrical power.

[0130] This can be done by closing electrical isolating switches, e.g. the transformation and control unit 33.

[0131] In a further step S200, a targeted application of a substance mixture 15 to at least one plant part, in particular to shoots 43 and / or leaves 41 of the plants 40, wherein the substance mixture 15 has at least one component that reduces the electrical contact resistance in the area of ​​the plant surface, wherein the substance mixture 15 has at least a first component that contains at least one surface-active substance selected from the group consisting of surfactants, and at least a second component that contains at least one viscosity-increasing substance selected from the group consisting of pure silicic acids, pyrogenic silicic acids, mixed oxides, magnesium phyllosilicates, organic additives based on biogenic oils and their derivatives, polyamides and modified carbohydrates.

[0132] In a further step S300, the first applicator unit 2a of the treatment device 1 for the electrotreatment of plants 40 is brought into contact with shoots 43 and / or leaves 41 of the plants 40 in the predetermined area section A.

[0133] For this purpose, in the present exemplary embodiment, the treatment device 1 is moved in the direction of travel FR across the field 34 with the plants 40 at a low height above the ground 44, so that none of the applicators 21a, 21b, 21c, 21d, 21e, 21f comes into contact with the ground 44. In a further step S400, the contacted shoot axes 43 and / or the leaves 41 of the plants 40 in the predetermined area section A are applied with direct electrical current, wherein the first applicator unit 2a for the electrical treatment of plants 40 is designed according to a first criterion, and wherein the first converter 7a of the treatment device 1 supplies the first applicator unit 2a for the electrical treatment of plants 40 with electrical operating energy.

[0134] In a further step S500, a second applicator unit 2b of the treatment device 1 for the electro-treatment of plants 40 is brought into contact with shoots 43 and / or leaves 41 of the plants (40) in the predetermined area section A.

[0135] In a further step S600, the contacted shoot axes 43 and / or the leaves 41 of the plants 40 in the predetermined area section A are subjected to direct electrical current, wherein the second applicator unit 2b for the electrical treatment of plants 40 is designed according to a second criterion which is different from or equal to the first criterion, and wherein a second converter 7b of the treatment device 1 supplies the second applicator unit 2b for the electrical treatment of plants 40 with electrical operating energy.

[0136] The first converter 7a supplies the second applicator unit 2b with electrical operating energy at least partially and / or temporarily according to the predetermined first load distribution LV1 and / or the second converter 7b supplies the first applicator unit 2a with electrical operating energy at least partially and / or temporarily according to the predetermined second load distribution LV2.

[0137] The first criterion can be a first shape, in particular a first preferred direction LR of the plant growth, and the second criterion can be a second shape, in particular a second preferred direction QR of the plant growth, wherein the first shape, in particular the first preferred direction LR of the plant growth, and the second shape, in particular the second preferred direction QR of the plant growth are different.

[0138] Alternatively, the first criterion may be a first height level H1 of the plants 40 above the ground 44, and the second criterion may be a second height level H2 of the plants 40 above the ground 44.

[0139] Further, alternatively, the first criterion may be an electrical treatment of the plants 40 above the ground 44, and the second criterion may be an electrical treatment of the plants 40 below the ground 44.

[0140] The predetermined first load distribution LV1 and / or the predetermined second load distribution LV2 can be specified manually.

[0141] Alternatively, the predetermined first load distribution LV1 and / or the predetermined second load distribution LV2 can be determined automatically.

[0142] Deviating from the present embodiment, the order of the steps may also be different. Furthermore, multiple steps may be executed concurrently or simultaneously. Furthermore, deviating from the present embodiment, individual steps may be skipped or omitted.

[0143] As the treatment device 1 moves in the direction of travel FR across the field 34, the applicators 21a, 21b, 21c, 21d, 21e, 21f come into contact with the stem 43 and / or the leaves 41 of the plant 40 and then lose contact again. Since the stem 43 and / or the leaves 41 of the plant 40 can be viewed as ohmic resistances in an electrical equivalent circuit, the ohmic load of the constant power source changes abruptly or abruptly. The regulated constant power source compensates for these load fluctuations during operation. Furthermore, during the desiccation of potato plants, unwanted damage to the potato tubers can be avoided, since almost no electrical current flows through the soil 44 and damages the potato tubers. The same applies to other plants 40, such as tubers with a tuber in the soil 44, such asSweet potato, cassava, yam, yacon, carrot, radish, horseradish, salsify, various beetroot varieties, parsnip, root parsley, swede, beetroot, radish, chervil, celeriac, kohlrabi, and celeriac. In other words, the energy efficiency of the plant treatment process, especially for desiccation of crops or green manure control, is significantly increased.

[0144] List of reference symbols

[0145] I Treatment device

[0146] 2a first applicator unit

[0147] 2b second applicator unit

[0148] 7a Converter

[0149] 7b Inverter

[0150] 10 first module

[0151] II nozzle

[0152] 12 applicator rows

[0153] 15 mixture of substances

[0154] 17 connecting section

[0155] 18 Electrode section

[0156] 20 second module

[0157] 21a electric applicator

[0158] 21 b electric applicator

[0159] 21c electric applicator

[0160] 21 d electric applicator

[0161] 21 e electric applicator

[0162] 21 e' partial applicator

[0163] 21 e" partial applicator

[0164] 21 f electric applicator

[0165] 24 Support structure

[0166] 30 carrier vehicles

[0167] 31 PTO

[0168] 32 Generator

[0169] 33 Transformation and Control Unit

[0170] 34 field

[0171] 40 plants

[0172] 41 sheets

[0173] 43 Stem axis

[0174] 44 Floor

[0175] 70 Evaluation device 71 Area determination module

[0176] 72 Performance Determination Module

[0177] 73 Biomass Determination Module

[0178] A area section

[0179] A1 distance

[0180] A2 distance

[0181] A3 spacing

[0182] A4 spacing b width

[0183] B Biomass

[0184] F factor

[0185] FR direction of travel

[0186] H1 first height level

[0187] H2 second altitude level

[0188] H3 above-ground height range

[0189] H4 underground height area

[0190] HR main extension direction

[0191] LR first preferred direction

[0192] LV1 load distribution

[0193] LV2 load distribution

[0194] P1 first polarity

[0195] P2 second polarity

[0196] QR second preferred direction

[0197] I direct electrical current

[0198] P DC power output

[0199] R electrical resistance

[0200] SW1 setpoint

[0201] SW2 setpoint t1 time t2 time

[0202] T Travel time

[0203] U electrical direct voltage v driving speed

[0204] S100 step

[0205] S200 Step S300 Step

[0206] S400 step

[0207] S500 step

[0208] S600 step

Claims

Patent claims 1. A method for the electro-treatment of plants (40), in particular during desiccation of crops, for green manure control or for weed control, comprising the steps: (S300) bringing a first applicator unit (2a) of a treatment device (1) for the electro-treatment of plants (40) into contact with stems (43) and / or leaves (41) of the plants (40) in a predetermined area section (A), (S400) Applying direct electrical current to the contacted shoot axes (43) and / or the leaves (41) of the plants (40) in the predetermined area section (A), wherein the first applicator unit (2a) for the electrical treatment of plants (40) is designed according to a first criterion, and wherein a first converter (7a) of the treatment device (1) supplies the first applicator unit (2a) for the electrical treatment of plants (40) with electrical operating energy, (S500) bringing a second applicator unit (2b) of the treatment device (1) for the electro-treatment of plants (40) into contact with stems (43) and / or leaves (41) of the plants (40) in the predetermined area section (A), and (S600) Applying direct electrical current to the contacted shoot axes (43) and / or the leaves (41) of the plants (40) in the predetermined surface section (A), wherein the second applicator unit (2b) is designed for the electro-treatment of plants (40) according to a second criterion which is different from or equal to the first criterion, and wherein a second The converter (7b) of the treatment device (1) supplies the second applicator unit (2b) for the electrical treatment of plants (40) with electrical operating energy.

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein the first converter (7a) supplies the second applicator unit (2b) at least partially and / or temporarily with electrical operating energy according to a predetermined first load distribution (LV1) and / or the second converter (7b) supplies the first applicator unit (2a) at least partially and / or temporarily with electrical operating energy according to a predetermined second load distribution (LV2).

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first criterion is a first shape, in particular a first preferred direction (LR) of the plant growth, and the second criterion is a second shape, in particular a second preferred direction (QR) of the plant growth, wherein the first shape, in particular the first preferred direction (LR) of the plant growth, and the second shape, in particular the second preferred direction (QR) of the plant growth are different.

4. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first criterion is a first height level (H1) of the plants (40) above the ground (44), and the second criterion is a second height level (H2) of the plants (40) above the ground (44).

5. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first criterion is an electro-treatment of the plants (40) above the ground (44), and the second criterion is an electro-treatment of the plants (40) in the ground (44).

6. Method according to one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the predetermined first load distribution (LV1) and / or the predetermined second load distribution (LV2) is specified manually.

7. Method according to one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the predetermined first load distribution (LV1) and / or the predetermined second load distribution (LV2) is determined automatically.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising the step (S 100): targeted application of a substance mixture (15) to at least one plant part, in particular to shoots (43) and / or leaves (41) of the plants (40), wherein the substance mixture (15) has at least one component that reduces the electrical contact resistance in the area of ​​the plant surface, wherein the substance mixture (15) has at least a first component that contains at least one surface-active substance selected from the group consisting of surfactants, and at least a second component that contains at least one viscosity-increasing substance selected from the group consisting of pure silicic acids, pyrogenic silicic acids, mixed oxides, magnesium phyllosilicates, organic additives based on biogenic oils and their derivatives, polyamides and modified carbohydrates.

9. Treatment device (1) for the electrical treatment of plants (40), in particular during desiccation of field crops, for green manure control or for weed control, with at least two applicator units (2a, 2b), wherein a first applicator unit (2a) of the treatment device (1) for the electrical treatment of plants (40) is designed to bring into contact with stems (43) and / or leaves (41) of the plants (40) in a predetermined area section (A) and to apply electrical direct current to the contacted stems (43) and / or leaves (41) of the plants (40) in a predetermined area section (A), wherein the first applicator unit (2a) for the electrical treatment of plants (40) is designed according to a first criterion, and wherein a first converter (7a) of the treatment device (1) is provided for supplying the first applicator unit (2a) with electrical operating energy for the electrical treatment of plants (40), wherein a second applicator unit (2b) of the treatment device (1) is provided for the electrical treatment of plants (40) for bringing into contact with stems (43) and / or leaves (41) of the plants (40) in the predetermined surface section (A) and for applying direct electrical current to the contacted shoot axes (43) and / or the leaves (41) of the plants (40) in the predetermined surface section (A), wherein the second applicator unit (2b) is designed for the electrical treatment of plants (40) according to a second criterion which is different from or equal to the first criterion, and wherein a second converter (7b) of the treatment device (1) is provided for supplying the second applicator unit (2b) with electrical operating energy for the electrical treatment of plants (40).

10. Treatment device (1) according to claim 9, wherein the first converter (7a) is designed to supply the second applicator unit (2b) at least partially and / or temporarily with electrical operating energy according to a predetermined first load distribution (LV1) and / or the second converter (7b) is designed to supply the first applicator unit (2a) at least partially and / or temporarily with electrical operating energy according to a predetermined second load distribution (LV2).

11. Treatment device (1) according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the first criterion is a first form, in particular a first preferred direction (LR) of the plant growth, and the second criterion is a second form, in particular a second preferred direction (QR) of the plant growth, wherein the first form, in particular the first preferred direction (LR) of the plant growth, and the second form, in particular the second preferred direction (QR) of plant growth are different.

12. Treatment device (1) according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the first criterion is a first height level (H1) of the plants (40) above the ground (44), and the second criterion is a second height level (H2) of the plants (40) above the ground (44).

13. Treatment device (1) according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the first criterion is an electro-treatment of the plants (40) above the ground (44), and the second criterion is an electro-treatment of the plants (40) in the ground (44).

14. Treatment device (1) according to one of claims 10 to 13, wherein the predetermined first load distribution (LV1) and / or the predetermined second load distribution (LV2) can be specified manually.

15. Treatment device (1) according to one of claims 10 to 13, wherein the predetermined first load distribution (LV1) and / or the predetermined second load distribution (LV2) can be determined automatically.

16. Treatment device (1) according to one of claims 9 to 15, wherein the treatment device (1) is designed for the targeted application of a substance mixture (15) to at least one plant part, in particular to shoots (43) and / or leaves (41) of the plants (40), wherein the substance mixture (15) has at least one component which reduces the electrical contact resistance in the area of ​​the plant surface, wherein the substance mixture (15) has at least a first component which contains at least one surface-active substance selected from the group consisting of surfactants, and at least a second component which contains at least one viscosity-increasing substance selected from the group consisting of pure silicic acids, pyrogenic silicic acids, Contains mixed oxides, magnesium phyllosilicates, organic additives based on biogenic oils and their derivatives, polyamides, and modified carbohydrates.

17. Carrier vehicle (30), in particular a self-propelled agricultural machine, with a treatment device (1) according to one of claims 9 to 16.

18. Kit containing components of a treatment device (1) according to one of claims 9 to 16 for forming a carrier vehicle (30) according to claim 17.

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