Method for treating and classifying vegetation

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for classifying vegetation and to a classification device for classifying vegetation. The method comprises the steps of applying electrical current to the vegetation, recording at least one parameter of the electrical current output during the application, the parameter being determined by at least one property of the vegetation, and classifying the vegetation on the basis of the at least one parameter.

Description

[0001] Method for treating and classifying vegetation

[0002] Background of the invention

[0003] Conventional agriculture relies heavily on the use of herbicides, such as glyphosate, for weed control, green manure treatment and desiccation.

[0004] As a result of the long-term and extensive use of herbicides, an ever-increasing increase in herbicide resistance can be observed. In 2020, more than 260 weeds or grass weeds showed varying degrees of herbicide resistance, and by 2024, this figure had risen to 273 (a total of 515 confirmed cases of individual resistance in 2019 compared to only 7 in 1975, https: / / weedscience.org / Home.aspx). Analyses show that approximately 40% of the plant species examined are responsible for 80–90% of resistance cases. Chemical treatments then become increasingly ineffective. As a result of the emergence of such resistances, combinations of active ingredients containing several active ingredients have been and continue to be used. However, plants, especially weeds or grass weeds, can also develop resistance to these combinations and spread across agricultural land. As a result, agricultural use of the land is no longer possible.

[0005] Herbicide resistance, including to glyphosate, is spreading exponentially with increasing frequency and intensity of use. Various adaptations in plants can be observed:

[0006] • Drug-specific resistance (target site resistance): o Mutation has arisen or was already present naturally, sometimes through cross-breeding. o Drug loses its chemical target site, e.g. receptor or enzyme.

[0007] • Non-target-site resistance (NTSR): o Metabolic resistance: The active ingredient is broken down more quickly or cannot reach the target site (e.g., penetration into the leaf is more difficult, transport within the plant is reduced, and necrosis is rapid). o Phenotypic resistance: e.g., less exposed leaf area. o Evolutionary adaptation: earlier germination (plant already too large for the applied dose), later germination (not yet germinated at the time of treatment).

[0008] The increasing incidence of resistance, especially multi-drug resistance, makes further increases in dosage and an expansion of herbicide active ingredient combinations necessary but increasingly problematic. In addition, there are various other reasons for not further increasing herbicide use:

[0009] • Rising costs for farmers,

[0010] • Herbicide combinations must be applied by multiple passes or special spraying,

[0011] • Spot sprays are expensive, tend to be slower and cannot prevent the development of resistance,

[0012] • The need for multiple tolerances against herbicides in crops is growing, which makes new breeding (via genetic modifications) and the associated new approvals increasingly expensive,

[0013] • increased risk of losing large areas of cultivation due to resistance that can no longer be treated,

[0014] • increased risk of losing cultivation areas due to environmental regulations restricting the use of herbicides, increased damage to people and the environment due to the increasing use of herbicides, or political pressure against the increasingly frequent use of herbicides,

[0015] • increased risk of exceeding national limits due to herbicide residues and losing export options for the harvest, • increased risk of lawsuits against farmers and pesticide manufacturers by users, regional residents and consumers due to poisoning / disease,

[0016] • increased risks of lawsuits against food processors and trade (downstream partners), resulting in restrictions / prohibitions of use, and

[0017] • Sustainability strategies of all stakeholders (landowners, contract farmers, food processors, retail chains) are at risk, even leading to economic disadvantages in terms of loan interest rates, creditworthiness and share ratings, etc.

[0018] Furthermore, increasing resistance poses a particular threat to the established use of herbicide-resistant, genetically modified plants (GMOs) in combination with the corresponding herbicides for weed control. Depending on the region and crop, these cannot be replaced at all or only with difficulty, especially not without significant other disadvantages for yield and soil quality. To continue using herbicide-resistant, genetically modified plants, the spread of resistance must be limited and existing resistance must be broken or suppressed.

[0019] Current approaches are not sufficient to solve the problems associated with herbicide resistance:

[0020] • With the currently available chemical processes, the development of resistance in weeds or grasses is increasingly increased, new mechanisms of action of plant protection products and the associated fundamentally new active substances for breaking resistance have not been found for over 30 years,

[0021] • Mechanical methods involving soil movement are only possible in many cultivation areas with high energy expenditure, soil destruction, erosion, runoff of pesticide residues, high labor costs, CO2 release and humus degradation, • Flame-cutting is energy-intensive and dangerous and is not compatible with the frequently used direct and mulch seeding methods,

[0022] • Mulching is not enough to control plants,

[0023] • Hot water consumes too much water and energy and is ineffective against many weeds and

[0024] • Pressurized water uses too much water and is ineffective against many weeds.

[0025] • The necessary and desired increasing use of green manure for soil improvement and CO2 storage in the soil and the spread of non-ploughing agricultural practices make chemical weed control more difficult.

[0026] To optimize the use of often expensive herbicides, especially those that are effective against multi-resistant plants, there are efforts to use them only against potentially resistant plants. However, this requires the identification of potentially resistant plants.

[0027] Aerial photography using drones has been suggested for this purpose. However, the use of drones is time-consuming and weather-dependent, which is particularly problematic when there are short time windows before sowing. Furthermore, the image data often has insufficient spatial resolution, meaning that even smaller pockets of weeds or grass weeds are overlooked. They are particularly difficult to detect if the plants to be identified are located in a still-growing green manure. Young weeds or grass weeds growing out of a cover of dead or dying plants (e.g., green manure, no-till fields) can also easily be overlooked.

[0028] Since the subsequent crop is usually also sensitive to the herbicide applied on a small scale, such late chemical treatments, once the green manure has died, can result in additional and yield-reducing waiting times before reseeding or yield losses due to phytotoxicity to the crop. The use of sensors to detect plants, particularly weeds and grass weeds, directly on a field sprayer has also been proposed (spot spraying). However, in addition to the problems mentioned above, this is associated with high costs, also because even with a small presence of weeds or grass weeds, the entire field must be covered. Furthermore, small pockets of weeds or grass weeds are easily overlooked, especially at high working speeds.

[0029] Finally, while the targeted use of herbicides can reduce the amount of herbicide used, it can at best slow down the development of new resistances but cannot prevent it, since all unwanted plants continue to be sprayed with the same herbicide - only with fewer losses.

[0030] There is therefore a need for new methods and devices to counteract the spread of herbicide resistance.

[0031] Summary of the invention

[0032] A first aspect of the invention relates to a method for classifying a plant growth (300) comprising the steps

[0033] Applying electric current to the plant growth (300),

[0034] Detecting at least one parameter of the electrical current emitted during application, wherein the parameter is determined by at least one property of the plant growth,

[0035] Classifying the vegetation (300) based on at least one parameter.

[0036] In a preferred embodiment, the at least one parameter of the electrical current delivered during application is selected from the group consisting of current intensity, voltage, power, amount of energy, resistance, conductivity and combinations thereof.

[0037] In a preferred embodiment, the electrical current is applied via at least two applicators (28a, 28b, 28c), wherein when detecting the at least one parameter, an electrical current intensity of the electrical current flowing through the applicators (28a, 28b, 28c) and / or an electrical voltage level between two applicators (28a, 28b, 28c) is detected.

[0038] In a preferred embodiment, the method further comprises the steps:

[0039] Reading in a position data set (PD) that is representative of the location at which the electric current was applied at the time of detecting the at least one parameter, and assigning the classified vegetation (300) to the position data set (PD).

[0040] In a preferred embodiment, the method further comprises the step:

[0041] Creating a map data set (KDS).

[0042] In a preferred embodiment, the method further comprises the step:

[0043] Predicting a state of a future vegetation cover (300) taking into account the classification, weather data, and / or seed dispersal data.

[0044] In a preferred embodiment, the method further comprises the step:

[0045] Applying a soil herbicide. Another aspect of the invention relates to a method for treating a soil with plant growth (300), comprising the steps:

[0046] Applying at least one herbicide to the vegetation (300),

[0047] Classifying the vegetation (300) using the method for classifying vegetation,

[0048] Creating a map data set (KDS) that specifies the classification of vegetation cover (300) on an area of ​​land,

[0049] Treating at least part of the area of ​​the soil for which a particular classification has been made, preferably by applying electric current.

[0050] A further aspect of the invention relates to a classification device for classifying a plant growth (300) with an electrical module (12) for applying electrical

[0051] Current on the plant growth (300), a determination module (70) for detecting at least one parameter of the electrical current emitted during application, and a classification module (73) for classifying the plant growth (300) based on the at least one parameter.

[0052] In a preferred embodiment of the classification device, at least one applicator (28a, 28b, 28c) and / or an additional part for displacing the vegetation (300) is designed to expose a soil section at least temporarily, wherein at least one nozzle (24) is provided for applying a soil herbicide to the exposed soil section.

[0053] Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a land vehicle with a treatment device for the electrical treatment of plants.

[0054] Figure 2 shows a schematic plan view of the land vehicle shown in Figure 1 with the treatment device.

[0055] Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of one of two cantilever arms of the treatment device shown in Figures 1 and 2.

[0056] Figure 4 shows a schematic representation of an applicator assembly of the treatment device shown in Figures 1 and 2.

[0057] Figure 5 shows a schematic representation of two circuit arrangements associated with the treatment device.

[0058] Figure 6 shows a schematic representation of a classification device.

[0059] Figure 7 shows a schematic representation of a possible design of a

[0060] Applicator assembly.

[0061] Figure 8 shows a schematic representation of a possible design of an applicator assembly.

[0062] Figure 9 shows a schematic representation of further components of the treatment device for the electrical treatment of plants shown in Figures 1 and 2.

[0063] Figure 10 shows a schematic representation of components of a classification device.

[0064] Figure 11 shows a schematic representation of a process flow for operating a classification device. Figure 12 shows images of a field with grain at varying degrees of ripeness. Depending on the degree of ripeness and weed growth in the grain, the amount of energy released when electrical current is applied varies (shown as a so-called heat map).

[0065] Figure 13 shows the amount of energy delivered for one applicator unit, recorded and plotted against time (A). Classification is done in three classes (0-1), (1-4), and (4-5) (B).

[0066] Figure 14 shows a schematic representation of an exemplary workflow for conventional herbicide treatment (A) and combined herbicide and electro-treatment (B).

[0067] Figure 15 shows a schematic representation of the digital mapping process using the methods described herein.

[0068] Figure 16 shows a schematic representation of how, by treating with a herbicide and subsequently carrying out the classification method described herein, resistant plants can be identified which would not be visually recognizable.

[0069] Detailed description of the invention

[0070] A first aspect of the invention relates to a method for classifying vegetation comprising the steps

[0071] Applying electrical current to the vegetation, detecting at least one parameter of the electrical current emitted during application, wherein the parameter is determined by at least one property of the vegetation, classifying the vegetation based on the at least one parameter.

[0072] The reduction in pesticide use, both necessary for agriculture and socially required, has led to the development of alternative methods. These include the electrotherapy of plants with electric current, whereby the plants, such as weeds and / or grasses, wither and die as a result of the electrical current.

[0073] The electrotherapy is carried out using electrical applicators (electrodes, also called applicator poles) connected to high-voltage units, which are under voltage, preferably high voltage (1,500 V to 5,500 V), and apply an electric current to the plants. The current flows through the leaves and shoots of the plants, and possibly also through the roots and / or soil. The electric current disrupts the plants' water transport system, causing them to eventually dry out and die.

[0074] Electrotreatment of plants has proven to be extremely effective, with a high potential for the destruction of grasses (see Table 1 ) and a range of different weeds, such as those found in corn and soybean fields.

[0075] Table 1

[0076] Furthermore, the electrical treatment can also be used for desiccation of potatoes and grain.

[0077] In the context of (cereal) desiccation, it has now been established that the electrical energy delivered by the applicators to the plants is largely determined by plant properties such as plant density, size, water transport system, and accessibility of the water transport system to electrical current, which affect their electrical resistance. For example, if the applicators are moved over plants with a relatively low electrical resistance, more electrical energy flows at the same voltage, or the voltage decreases for a constant amount of energy, than if the applicators are moved over plants with a higher electrical resistance (Figures 12 and 13). The electrical resistance of the plant, in turn, is influenced by the plant's water content, its vitality status (i.e., whether it is dead, dying, or vital), and also by the type of plant.For example, the amount of energy released when driving over a grain field with thistle nests differs between areas with grain and areas with thistles. Based on relative differences in the amount of energy released, one can thus determine the characteristics of the vegetation and classify it accordingly.

[0078] In a first step (S200), an electric current is applied to the vegetation, for example, for weed control or desiccation, killing or at least damaging the plants. While the plants are being subjected to current, at least one electrical parameter, e.g., current, voltage, resistance, energy, and / or conductivity, is recorded at each high-voltage unit (step S300). In a further step (S400), the vegetation is classified according to the recorded parameter(s). The classification reflects the different properties of the plants, which lead to differences in the recorded parameters.For example, a specific, defined pattern can be derived from the temporal progression using pattern recognition, neural networks, and / or artificial intelligence training, which can be used to determine which plant types and / or plant states are under the applicator at the time of measurement. For example, short, very high conductivity maxima indicate low, herbaceous plants. Long periods of medium conductivity indicate grasses in larger patches. Large, easily siccated plants have significantly altered, often significantly higher conductivity in subsequent applicator units and measurements, as they are already severely damaged (more watery). Particularly with limited plant diversity, statements about different plant species are also possible. Classification can be made into several classes, usually at least two.

[0079] Thus, the method according to the invention makes it possible to directly detect differences in plant growth during the electrotreatment of plants, which are due to different plant characteristics. The classification can be provided in the form of a data set. Such a data set is of great value to the farmer, as it can be used for further planning of field cultivation and, preferably, for further weed control.

[0080] For example, if a grain field is subjected to electrical treatment for desiccation, weed or grass nests can be identified and located, since the electrical resistance of weeds or grasses, which are vital, differs from that of the already ripened grain. This allows the farmer to determine which areas of the field were contaminated by weeds or grasses even after harvest and to treat these areas again later.

[0081] Similarly, a field already treated with a herbicide, e.g., one planted with green manure, can be subjected to electrotherapy to kill remaining and thus potentially herbicide-resistant plants. The herbicide treatment kills the green manure and weeds sensitive to the herbicide. Herbicide-resistant weeds, however, remain standing. Electrotherapy can kill these herbicide-resistant weeds, and at the same time, their location can be determined based on the recorded parameters. This information can be provided in a corresponding dataset. Such a dataset can then be used to plan the future management of the fields.

[0082] The method according to the invention is significantly superior to visual systems, such as drone images, particularly for the detection and classification of potentially herbicide-resistant plants. Firstly, no additional work step is necessary because the recording of the electrical parameter(s) takes place simultaneously with the electrical treatment of the plants. This saves time and costs. In addition, the recorded electrical parameter(s) can be used to more accurately classify the plant growth, as differences within the plants that cannot be detected using optical means can also be detected. For example, plants may still contain a relatively high amount of chlorophyll or be quite green, but may already be in the process of drying out or dying due to an inadequate supply from the roots or chemical treatment. From a purely visual perspective, such a plant gives a vital or lively impression.Their electrical resistance, however, has already changed significantly, which can be detected by the change in electrical parameters. Conversely, broken plants can visually appear dying, but can (re)grow strong due to an intact water and nutrient supply in the lower region. This, too, cannot be detected visually, but can be easily detected by electrical parameters during the application of electrical current to the plants. This is particularly true for plants with small leaf area that are currently growing through biomass that is already dead or dying. These are very difficult to see, but conduct electrical current very well when touched by an applicator. This can be directly read from the electrical parameters during the application of current.

[0083] The method according to the invention thus makes it possible to obtain important data on the condition and properties of the vegetation during weed control or desiccation with an electro-treatment. This data can be used in many ways, particularly in monitoring the spread and targeted control of herbicide-resistant weeds or grasses.

[0084] By detecting potentially herbicide-resistant plants, the method according to the invention makes an essential contribution to the effective management of herbicide-resistant weeds or grasses. It enables, in particular, the breaking of resistance and the

[0085] • Maintaining the currently available chemical weed control with ongoing soil conservation,

[0086] • Ensuring the effectiveness of chemical herbicides when using herbicide-resistant plant systems,

[0087] • Preservation of agricultural land for continued use despite high infestation with resistant weeds, and

[0088] • Use of herbicides at an economically, environmentally and socially acceptable level.

[0089] Finally, the method also enables the analysis of grain ripening during desiccation. Grains, such as wheat and rye, and especially oats, do not always ripen evenly. The process may take longer in depressions and along ruts, for example, or immature stalks may grow back. Fully ripened grain has a lower water content and therefore a higher electrical resistance than grain that is not or only incompletely ripened. By recording electrical parameters, the grain can be classified according to its degree of ripening. This makes it possible to document in which areas or to what extent ripening is not yet fully completed. In addition, data is provided on the proportion of fully ripened grain.

[0090] The parameters of the electrical current delivered during application will be determined by various properties of the plants or vegetation. For example, the amount of electrical energy delivered, which is reflected in changes in current intensity and / or voltage, is determined by the electrical resistance of the vegetation. This, in turn, depends on various properties of the plant. These include, among others, the density, size, and water content of the plant, as well as its water transport system and the accessibility of the water transport system to electrical current. These properties are determined, among other things, by the type and vitality of the plant. In particular, the vitality state, i.e.Whether the plant is dead, dying, dried out, desiccating, or vital / alive significantly influences the electrical resistance or electrical conductivity of the plant, because the electrical conductivity of plants is related to their water content. The conductivity of vital plants is generally significantly higher than that of drying or dying plants. Accordingly, the electrical resistance of vital plants is lower than that of drying or dying plants. Already dried out or dead plants have a particularly low conductivity or a particularly high electrical resistance. However, the electrical conductivity of plants can also be influenced by other circumstances, such as damage to the plant.For example, the resistance of a plant decreases immediately after being touched by an applicator because the applied current destroys cell walls both within the plant and on its surface, causing cell sap to leak out. Both of these initially reduce the plant's electrical resistance. As the cell sap evaporates and the plant dries out, the resistance subsequently increases again. By measuring the amount of released electrical energy (current, voltage over time), the electrical resistance of the plant can be determined and then classified according to its condition (e.g., dead, dying, desiccated, desiccating, or vital).

[0091] Since the electrical resistance of plants is also determined by their species, the composition of the vegetation is also a property that influences the parameters of the electrical current delivered during treatment. This makes it possible to distinguish thistle clusters from cereals and classify them accordingly. Desiccation can pinpoint these thistle clusters and target them after harvest and before subsequent crops.

[0092] In a preferred embodiment, the vegetation comprises plants selected from the group consisting of weeds, grass weeds, green manure plants, and agricultural crops, in particular cereals, fodder plants, and potatoes, wherein the cereals are preferably ripened or partially ripened cereals. The term “vegetation” refers to the totality of the plants present on a soil, for example an agriculturally used area. Thus, in addition to the cultivated crops, e.g. cereals, various weeds and weeds are usually also present. The composition can vary depending on the season, field, region and use of the agricultural area.

[0093] In a preferred embodiment, the plant growth is located on an agricultural area or on one or more parts thereof. The method is suitable for classifying the plant growth on an entire agricultural area, e.g. during cereal desiccation or the destruction of green manure. However, it is also possible to classify only plant growth on one or more parts of an agricultural area. If, for example, herbicide-resistant plants were previously registered in certain areas, after a further herbicide treatment only those areas which previously exhibited herbicide-resistant plants can be subjected to the method. In one work step (1), potentially resistant plants can be destroyed and it can be determined whether the resistant plants have spread further or have possibly retreated.Further areas of application exist, in particular, on non-agricultural areas from which weeds can spread.

[0094] In a preferred embodiment, the method further comprises the step:

[0095] Applying a mixture of substances which has at least one component which increases electrical conductivity.

[0096] The preferably liquid mixture of substances is applied to the vegetation before the electric current is applied to the vegetation. This can be done, for example, using a field sprayer attached to the front of a land vehicle, such as a tractor or other agricultural machine. Electric current for the electrotreatment can, for example, be applied using applicators arranged behind the field sprayer and / or behind the vehicle in the direction of travel. Both steps, applying the mixture of substances and applying the electric current, can also be carried out in the direction of travel behind the tractor. The use of the mixture of substances enables a more efficient transfer of electric current to the vegetation. The mixture of substances compensates for unevenness on the plant surface and fills air gaps or spaces (e.g. caused by hairs, leaf irregularities, thorns).The substance mixture can also contain several conductivity-enhancing substances and / or auxiliary materials for the targeted application of the liquid to the plants. In a preferred embodiment, the electrical current is applied via at least two applicators. At least one of the applicators is guided over the plant growth so that it touches it (also referred to as a plant applicator). At least one other applicator is also designed as a plant applicator or as a soil applicator (soil electrode). The applicators are under electrical voltage and form an electrical circuit that runs through the touched plants and, if applicable, the soil. More than two applicators forming a unit can also be used. For example, with direct current, two (+) pole applicators (electrodes) and one (-) pole applicator (electrode) can be used.The use of multiple applicators increases the coverage of the plant cover when applying the electric current, allowing more plants to be contacted and thus exposed to the electric current. This improves the efficiency of the process. Multiple applicators can also be combined into applicator units with a common regulated power source, with multiple applicator units arranged side by side in a row perpendicular to the direction of travel. Additionally or alternatively, multiple applicator units can be arranged one behind the other in a row in the direction of travel.

[0097] In a preferred embodiment, the at least one applicator is moved over the vegetation at a speed of 0.5 - 60 km / h, preferably 3 - 8 km / h, furthermore preferably 4 - 6 km / h. Different working speeds can be used depending on the area of ​​application. In agriculture, efficient working speeds are crucial due to the predetermined and narrow time windows. Efficient processing of the vegetation and yet a reliable determination of its condition must be guaranteed. This is the case at speeds of 3 - 8 km / h, and in particular 4 - 6 km / h. Higher working speeds are particularly advantageous for rail-guided applications. In a preferred embodiment, a high voltage electrical current (1,500 V to 5,500 V) is used to apply the electrical current.This allows for efficient and effective destruction of vegetation while simultaneously determining the condition of the plants by recording the power output and differentially evaluating the underlying electrical parameters. This makes it possible to simultaneously destroy and analyze vegetation. An additional process, such as that required for visual analysis using camera systems, is unnecessary. Both direct and alternating current can be used. Direct current refers to an electric current whose strength can vary, but not its direction. In other words, there is no reversal of polarity or current direction; rather, the electrical voltages and / or currents are constant in direction or sign.

[0098] In a preferred embodiment, the at least one parameter of the electrical current delivered during application is selected from the group consisting of current, voltage, power, energy quantity, resistance, conductivity, and combinations thereof. Detecting one or more electrical parameters comprises both the direct measurement of current and voltage, including detecting changes in current and / or voltage, and determining other parameters based on the measured current and / or voltage values. The latter particularly includes determining power, energy quantity, resistance and conductivity, and changes in these parameters.For example, to record the amount of electrical energy delivered, an electrical current flowing through the applicators and / or an electrical voltage level between two applicators can be recorded and / or values ​​indicative of the electrical current and / or electrical voltage can be evaluated, such as manipulated variables for current and / or voltage and / or power regulation. This can be done using an ammeter or a voltmeter. These can be part of a control unit. The ammeter measures an electrical current of the applied electrical current, while the voltmeter measures a voltage level of an electrical voltage. In other words, the control unit continuously records the respective strength of an electrical current and the level of an electrical voltage.

[0099] In a preferred embodiment, the electrical current and / or voltage level is measured on a secondary side of a transformer. Thus, a value for the ohmic resistance of the vegetation touched by the applicators belonging to the applicator unit can be determined at any time.

[0100] In a preferred embodiment, the electrical current intensity and / or the electrical voltage level is recorded at two high-voltage units connected in series. Each of the high-voltage units is connected to several (at least two) applicators, which form an applicator unit, wherein an applicator can be assigned to several applicator units in the case of bridging (see Figure 4). The two applicator units are arranged one behind the other in the direction of travel and can form parts of an applicator assembly. The applicator unit arranged at the front in the direction of travel is controlled via a first high-voltage unit and the applicator unit arranged behind it in the direction of travel is controlled via a second high-voltage unit. When the method is carried out, the first and the second applicator unit run one behind the other over the same vegetation. In this case, one or more electrical parameters, e.g.Current strength and / or the electrical voltage level are recorded at both high-voltage units, i.e. the same vegetation is measured twice in succession. Different voltages, energies and currents can be measured because these depend both on the geometry of the plants and on the electrical plant destruction caused by the previous applicator unit. Therefore, different measured values ​​from applicator units running one after the other can further improve the classification through special pattern formation. In a preferred embodiment, the at least one parameter of the electrical current emitted during application is recorded separately for each applicator unit or for each group of applicators controlled by a common high-voltage unit. The number of applicators in an applicator unit or their area coverage determines the spatial resolution of the evaluation in width, i.e. transverse to the direction of travel.For example, if the electrical parameters of twelve applicator units arranged next to each other are recorded separately for each applicator unit with a total working width of 12 m, a higher spatial resolution can be achieved than if the parameters of two or more adjacent applicator units are recorded together.

[0101] In a preferred embodiment, the recording of at least one parameter of the electrical current emitted during application takes place with a sampling frequency in a range of 1 Hz - 1000 Hz, preferably in a range of 2 Hz - 200 Hz. Depending on the further evaluation of the measurement data for classification, all or part of the measurement data can be further processed. If the measurement data and the classification are to be used to create map data sets, it can be advantageous to only process measurement data within a predetermined time interval. For example, the time interval can be 0.1 - 5 s, preferably 0.2 - 3 s, further preferably 0.2 - 1 s. The time interval of the processed data determines the spatial resolution of the evaluation along the length (i.e., in the direction of travel). The shorter the time interval, the greater the number of values ​​determined for the entire working length. With a higher spatial resolution, for example,Even smaller clusters of plants with different characteristics, such as those of viable weeds, can be separately classified. However, if the measurement data and classification are intended for direct control purposes, such as the application of soil herbicide, all recorded measurement data are preferably used directly for this purpose. In a preferred embodiment, the analysis is carried out using a computer. Appropriately designed hardware and / or software components can be provided for this purpose.

[0102] In a preferred embodiment, the evaluation is carried out by including a vegetation-specific factor for the background area value (e.g. cereal field or treated green manure) and / or a value for the specific ohmic resistance of the soil.

[0103] In a preferred embodiment, the method further comprises the step:

[0104] - Application of a soil herbicide.

[0105] The method according to the invention is particularly suitable for being combined with the application of a soil herbicide, wherein the soil herbicide is applied in the same work process in which the application of the current, the recording of the at least one parameter and the classification also take place. In other words, no further driving over, for example, an agricultural area is necessary to apply the soil herbicide. The particular advantage arises from the fact that the device used to apply the current to the vegetation bends the vegetation or plants down, so that a gap is formed down to the bare soil. Soil herbicide can be applied directly to the soil in this gap. In contrast to the conventional use of soil herbicide, which requires a completely free and homogenized soil surface, with this method soil herbicide can be applied despite vegetation.Appropriately designed devices for applying electricity and applying soil herbicide are described herein. Thus, a method for treating soil with vegetation is also disclosed, comprising the steps of applying electric current to the vegetation, wherein the vegetation is at least temporarily mechanically displaced, and applying a soil herbicide next to the at least temporarily mechanically displaced vegetation. The application of the soil herbicide can further be controlled according to the classification of the vegetation. For example, the soil herbicide can be specifically applied next to vegetation of a certain classification, thereby reducing the overall use of soil herbicide.

[0106] In a preferred embodiment, the method further comprises the steps:

[0107] (S500) reading in a position data record that is representative of the location at which the electrical current was applied at the time of detecting the at least one electrical parameter, and

[0108] (S600) Assigning the classified vegetation to the position data set.

[0109] By linking the classification with data on the location where at least one electrical parameter was recorded, it is possible to assign a position to each classified section of the vegetation. This makes it possible to provide a map dataset indicative of a relative or absolute spatial arrangement of the determined classification. It is also possible to combine data collected during separate or partial passes (trips) into a single map dataset.

[0110] In a preferred embodiment, a position data set from a satellite-based navigation system is read in. The satellite-based navigation system (Global Navigation Satellite Systems, GNSS) can be, for example, GPS or GALILEO, which can be supplemented by other systems such as real-time kinematic positioning (RTK) for more precise location determination. Alternatively, the position data set can also be determined from the position, speed, and direction of movement of the vehicle, possibly based on field parameters. In a preferred embodiment, the method further comprises the step:

[0111] (S700) Creating a map record.

[0112] The map dataset created in this way can be further processed in a variety of ways. In particular, it can be used for further crop protection planning, as a regulatory verification document, and / or for cultivating a field. Such a map dataset contains, for example, the positions and extents of nests of herbicide-resistant weeds. It can be used to guide a machine to the locations of the identified nests for repeated treatment. It can also be used to monitor the spread of weeds over the years by comparing map datasets from several years.

[0113] In a preferred embodiment, the method further comprises the step:

[0114] (S900) Predicting a state of a future vegetation cover taking into account classification, weather data, and / or seed dispersal data.

[0115] The classification not only reflects the current state of the vegetation, but also enables a forecast of future development. For example, from time series, which show what was measured when, along with information on the last sowing date, seed viability, flight distance, and / or frequency, the probability of population size in the next growth cycle can be determined, and treatment recommendations can be derived from this. For example, based on the determined classification, taking into account weather data, particularly wind direction, and the usual seed dispersal of a weed, as well as the seed bank development in the soil, the spread of the vegetation (e.g., certain weeds) in the next season can be forecast. It is also possible, for example, to predict the direction of spread of tumbleweed.Since the method is also suitable for determining the ripening stage of grain during desiccation, individual areas of an agricultural field where inadequate ripening occurred can be identified. By additionally taking weather data into account, a forecast for soil moisture and ripening in a subsequent season can be made.

[0116] In one embodiment, the method may include several or all of the steps:

[0117] 1. Applying a mixture of substances which has at least one component which increases the electrical conductivity;

[0118] 2. Applying electric current to the plant cover (S200);

[0119] 3. Detecting at least one electrical parameter of the current emitted during application, wherein the parameter is determined by at least one property of the plant growth (S300);

[0120] 4. Classifying the vegetation based on at least one parameter of the electrical current emitted during application (S400);

[0121] 5. Reading in a position data record representative of the location where the electrical current was applied at the time of recording the at least one parameter (S500);

[0122] 6. Assigning the classified vegetation to the position data set (S600);

[0123] 7. Creating a map data set (S700);

[0124] 8. Predict the condition of the future crop cover taking into account classification, weather data, and / or seed dispersal information (S900).

[0125] A further aspect of the invention relates to a method for treating a soil with vegetation, comprising the steps of applying at least one herbicide to the vegetation,

[0126] Classifying the vegetation using the method according to the invention,

[0127] Creating a map data set indicating the classification of vegetation cover on an area of ​​land, treating at least part of the area of ​​land for which a particular classification has been made, preferably by applying an electric current.

[0128] As explained for the method for classifying vegetation, vegetation can be classified by recording at least one parameter of the current emitted during application. This can be used to identify and locate plants, especially weeds, that do not die after herbicide treatment and are therefore potentially resistant to the herbicide used (see also Figure 16).

[0129] Even though the use of herbicides is increasingly criticized and restricted, they are still necessary in many areas, at least for the time being. For example, particularly large agricultural areas can hardly be managed without herbicides. These often have to be cultivated with working widths of up to 48 m and working speeds of up to 20 km / h. Furthermore, chemical plant protection products continue to be the functional and economically effective standard in many areas, for example in the removal of green manure. Since chemical herbicides are becoming increasingly ineffective due to the development of resistance, and therefore the application rates and the different types required to achieve an effect are constantly increasing (to the point of uneconomical and resulting in land abandonment), the object of the method according to the invention is to limit the use of chemical herbicides or to reduce it back to the application dose usual before resistance developed.The process involves first applying a chemical pesticide (herbicide) to the vegetation (e.g., green manure). This often does not kill all the plants, leaving pockets of vital plants, such as weeds or grass weeds, to persist. This is usually due to the affected plants' resistance to the herbicide.

[0130] To clear the field of these plants, they can be killed, for example, by applying an electric current as part of an electrotreatment. However, this cannot prevent the plants from re-emerging from seeds present in the soil from previous years or from deep-lying root parts, sometimes even in the same season. In fact, the affected areas expand over the years unless specific and consistent measures are taken against the resistant plants. This, however, requires that the area where the resistant plants occur can be identified or predicted.

[0131] For this purpose, the vegetation is classified according to the procedure for treating soil with vegetation during the application of the current, and this classification is documented in a map dataset. This is then used to specifically target herbicide-resistant plants, thus counteracting their spread.

[0132] Furthermore, the escalation of resistance development is contained and, in the best case, prevented. Since plants cannot escape killing by electrical application through most resistance-developing mechanisms, it is possible to contain the spread of existing herbicide-resistant plants and - through the once again possible combination of several control methods - to minimize the development of new resistances. Since the selection pressure caused by ever-increasing chemical herbicide doses is thus eliminated, the proportion of plants (weeds / grass weeds) that are sensitive even to small amounts of a herbicide gradually increases. In the long term, this allows for the continued use of herbicides, albeit at minimal levels. Without targeted and effective containment and, if possible, breaking of resistance development, ever-increasing doses of herbicides will become necessary.In the US, for example, glyphosate is already being used at rates of 16 kg / ha, requiring some highly resistant weeds to be removed by hand. By comparison, the currently permitted rate in Germany is 1.8 kg / ha.

[0133] In a preferred embodiment, the soil is an agricultural area, or a part or several parts of an agricultural area. The described method for treating a soil is suitable for being carried out on an entire or contiguous agricultural area, as well as on parts thereof. This also applies to individual work steps. If the entire area is covered when carrying out the method, a complete classification of plant growth on this area can be carried out. However, it is also possible to cover only individual parts, for example parts that were already identified in earlier passes as containing plant growth of a certain classification (e.g. resistant weeds). In this way, the plant growth on these parts can be specifically combated and its spread can be monitored at the same time with relatively less effort.The same applies to applications on parts of non-agricultural land, for example along roads, on railway tracks or railway embankments.

[0134] In a preferred embodiment, the vegetation is green manure. With green manure, it is particularly difficult to visually distinguish vital plants from those that have already been successfully treated, e.g., with a non-selective herbicide. This is due, among other things, to the particularly narrow time windows in which the work must be carried out. In other words, it is not possible to wait until the plants sensitive to the herbicide have dried out. Likewise, it is hardly possible to visually detect small nests of plants that, due to their type, are not affected by a particular herbicide. By applying the method for treating soil with vegetation to an area with green manure, the herbicide-resistant plants can not only be destroyed, but their position and spread can be recorded at the same time.This data may be used as a basis for subsequent treatments, as described in more detail elsewhere.

[0135] Another special application of the plant cover classification method is in so-called no-till farming on unplowed fields. With no-till farming, a mulch layer formed from the residues of the last harvest or cover crops (green manure) is retained, which offers various benefits for soil quality. However, no-till farming – at least currently – relies on the use of herbicides. Here, the plant cover classification method can reduce their use. By specifically identifying resistant plants and destroying them by applying electricity, it is possible to prevent the spread of plants that only respond to very high doses of herbicide. This can significantly reduce overall herbicide consumption and strengthen no-till farming methods that rely on herbicides.

[0136] In a preferred embodiment, the at least one herbicide is selected from the list consisting of selective herbicides, non-selective herbicides, broad-spectrum herbicides, foliar herbicides, soil herbicides, contact herbicides, systemic herbicides, herbicides, grass herbicides, and total herbicides. Depending on the plant species and application area, different herbicides or combinations are used. Since the method for determining the condition of a plant stand is capable of distinguishing between vital and dying / dead plants, regardless of how the plant was damaged, it can be combined with all herbicides.

[0137] In a preferred embodiment, a period of 1-21, preferably 2-8 days elapses between the application of the at least one herbicide and the treatment of the area with the described vegetation treatment method. This period is sufficient under most weather conditions for the herbicide to damage sensitive plants to such an extent that their electrical resistance increases due to wilting and drying. This method for determining the condition of vegetation makes it possible to distinguish between vital plants and dying / dead plants. A reliable visual distinction is not (yet) possible at this time.

[0138] In a preferred embodiment, the treatment of at least one area of ​​the soil is carried out pre-emergence, after harvest, and / or before the next sowing. If the soil treatment is carried out by applying electricity, this can take place before the seeds have emerged, as no waiting time is necessary for this treatment. Additionally or instead, the information on the position and spread of a specific plant growth that was recorded in the map data set can also be used for later treatments. For example, the identified areas can be additionally treated after harvest to prevent the plants from reappearing. It is also possible to specifically treat said areas before the next sowing. The information can also be used over the following years, which can, for example, enable long-term forecasts on the spread of resistant plants orWeeds become possible. Targeted and repeated treatment of areas where resistant plants have been identified allows for the gradual suppression of these plants, thus not only inhibiting the spread of resistance but actually counteracting it.

[0139] In a further aspect, the invention relates to a method for treating a soil with plant growth, comprising the steps

[0140] - Classifying the vegetation using the method described herein,

[0141] - Creating a map dataset indicating the classification of vegetation on a portion of the land; - Treating at least a portion of the land area for which a specific classification has been made, preferably by applying an electric current. The area of ​​land with vegetation is an at least partially mature grain field.

[0142] Grain fields are often interspersed with weeds and weed nests (e.g. thistles, volunteer potatoes, etc.). Unlike grain, which ripens towards the end of summer, these plants remain largely vital. Before harvest, however, these plants are only visually recognizable to a very limited extent in the dense grain and can only be mapped separately with great effort. After harvest, however, when the opportunity to treat weeds would arise, the areas are barely recognizable. During grain desiccation using the described method for classifying plant growth, not only is an initial treatment carried out, which at least reduces the seed production of the weeds, but the position of the weed nests is also mapped. With this information, targeted treatment is possible later (e.g. after harvest or before the next sowing), as described for the method for treating soil.

[0143] According to a further aspect, the invention relates to a classification device for classifying vegetation with an electrical module for applying electrical current to the vegetation, a determination module for detecting at least one electrical parameter of the current emitted during application, wherein the parameter is determined by at least one property of the vegetation, and a classification module for classifying the vegetation based on the at least one electrical parameter.

[0144] The electrical module is used to apply an electrical current, preferably a high-voltage current, to the vegetation. For this purpose, the electrical module can have at least two applicators. At least one of the applicators (also referred to as a plant applicator) is guided over the vegetation in such a way that it touches it. At least one other applicator is also designed as a plant applicator or as a soil applicator (soil electrode). The applicators are under electrical voltage and form an electrical circuit that runs through the touched plants and, if applicable, the soil. For this purpose, a group of at least two applicators is connected to a (high-)voltage unit.

[0145] The determination module is used to record at least one electrical parameter of the electrical current delivered via the applicators.

[0146] For this purpose, the determination module can be equipped with current and / or voltage measuring devices. These measuring devices record the electrical energy emitted and changes in this energy when the electrical module is moved over vegetation with different characteristics. The determination module can also be designed to determine other parameters, such as energy quantity, power, resistance, and / or conductivity, from the measured current or voltage values.

[0147] The classification module is used to classify the vegetation applied with electricity based on electrical parameters, e.g. voltage or voltage change, and thus to differentiate sections of the vegetation that differ in their properties.

[0148] In a preferred embodiment, the electrical module is assigned at least one applicator unit for applying electrical current to the vegetation, comprising at least three applicators for contacting the vegetation. The first applicator, the second applicator, and the third applicator can be arranged one behind the other in the direction of travel (with which the applicator unit is moved over plants during electrical treatment). With such an applicator unit, electrical current can be applied to the vegetation particularly efficiently. This applies in particular when direct electrical current is applied, and the first and third applicators are connected to a first polarity, e.g., a positive polarity, and the second applicator is connected to the second polarity, e.g., a negative polarity. Such applicators are known, for example, from DE 10 2021 114 692 B4.

[0149] Common applicators include so-called long-range applicators (also known as tongue applicators or LRBs, from the English "Long Range Blade"). Such applicators have a spacing of 0.8 m to 1 m, for example. Short-range applicators (SRAs - for English: Short Range Blades) can also be used, with spacing in the range of 0.1 m to 0.5 m.

[0150] In a preferred embodiment, at least two applicator units are arranged one behind the other in the direction of travel. By arranging two applicator units, each controlled by different high-voltage units, in the direction of travel, the first and second applicator units run one behind the other over the same vegetation. By recording at least one electrical parameter at both high-voltage units, the same vegetation is measured twice in succession. During classification, the parameters recorded at both high-voltage units are taken into account, which improves the classification because the parameters, e.g., the voltages and / or resistances, can differ characteristically depending on the plant type or plant status.

[0151] In a preferred embodiment, at least one applicator and / or an additional part are designed to relocate the vegetation in order to at least temporarily expose a section of soil, wherein at least one nozzle is provided for applying a soil herbicide to the exposed section of soil. The nozzle can be arranged behind at least one of the applicators and / or the additional part in the direction of travel. In this way, a soil herbicide can be applied directly to the soil despite existing (young) plants. This prevents soil herbicide from getting on parts of the plant where it cannot have an effect and prevents the plants from creating a spray shadow. An applicator designed to relocate vegetation or a corresponding additional part can also be used to enable simultaneous sowing. New seeds can be introduced into the soil exposed by relocating the plants.This makes it possible, in a single work pass, to (1) kill existing vegetation (e.g., resistant weeds) by electrotreatment, (2) introduce new seeds into the soil, and, if necessary, (3) apply soil herbicide. Thus, an applicator and / or an additional part designed to displace vegetation in order to at least temporarily expose a soil section is also disclosed, wherein at least one nozzle for applying a soil herbicide to the exposed soil section and / or a device for introducing seeds into the soil is provided.

[0152] According to a further aspect, the invention relates to a carrier vehicle with a classification device. The carrier vehicle can be a self-propelled agricultural machine (a tractor attachment or a special-purpose vehicle mounted implement) or a trailer of a team.

[0153] In a further aspect, the invention relates to the use of a map dataset created by the method described herein for classifying plant cover. A map dataset as described herein can be used in a variety of ways to support farmers in planning and executing the cultivation of their fields or to fulfill regulatory documentation requirements. For example, a map dataset can be used to plan and execute weed control, whether in the same season or in subsequent years. A map dataset can be used to manually or automatically move machines to the positions where a specific plant cover (e.g., potentially herbicide-resistant weeds) has been registered in order to specifically kill it. Map datasets of repeated recordings can also be used to track the spread of such plants over the years and, if necessary,to predict. A further aspect of the invention relates to a method for treating plants, in particular terrestrial plants, in particular in the field of agriculture, comprising the following steps in any desired order or simultaneously: (1) carrying out an electrotreatment of the plants by subjecting the plants and / or a soil to electrical current, in particular to direct electrical current, and (2) subjecting the plants and / or the soil to at least one plant protection agent, in particular a herbicide, in particular a soil herbicide, and / or an insecticide and / or a rodenticide and / or a fungicide, in particular in liquid form. The method optionally comprises the further step together with the other steps in any desired order or simultaneously:

[0154] Exposing the plants and / or the soil to at least one medium which increases electrical conductivity, in particular in liquid form, in particular in the form of an aqueous solution.

[0155] Mechanical relocation of the plants, in particular temporary relocation of the plants, wherein preferably a device for mechanically relocating the plants is used for mechanically relocating the plants, wherein the device for mechanically relocating the plants is associated with a device for applying direct electrical current to the plants and / or the soil, in particular is attached to the device for applying direct electrical current to the plants and / or the soil.

[0156] The introduction of seeds into soil, especially into agricultural soil.

[0157] Reading in operating parameters of the electrical treatment of the plants, in particular values ​​for an electrical voltage and / or for an electrical current and / or for an electrical energy and / or for an electrical resistance and / or other data, in particular image data, indicative of the plants to be treated, evaluating the operating parameters in combination with GPS data in order to create a map data set relating to the spatial distribution of the plants, in particular with regard to the response of the plants to the plant protection product.

[0158] A further aspect of the invention relates to a device for treating plants, in particular terrestrial plants, in particular in the field of agriculture, comprising (1) an electro-treatment module for carrying out an electro-treatment of the plants by applying an electric current, in particular a direct electric current, to the plants and / or a soil, and (2) a plant protection agent application module for applying at least one plant protection agent, in particular a herbicide, in particular a soil herbicide, and / or an insecticide and / or a rodenticide and / or a fungicide, in particular in liquid form, to the plants and / or the soil. The device can further comprise a further application module for applying at least one medium that increases electrical conductivity, in particular in liquid form, in particular in the form of an aqueous solution, to the plants and / or the soil.

[0159] The device can further be equipped with a device for mechanically relocating the plants, in particular temporarily relocating the plants, wherein the device for mechanically relocating the plants is preferably associated with a device for applying direct electrical current to the plants and / or the soil, in particular is attached to the device for applying direct electrical current to the plants and / or the soil.

[0160] The device can further be equipped with a device for introducing seed into soil, in particular into agriculturally used soil. The device can further be equipped with an evaluation device designed to read in operating parameters of the electrical treatment of the plants, in particular values ​​for an electrical voltage and / or for an electrical current and / or for an electrical energy and / or for an electrical resistance and / or other data, in particular image data, indicative of the plants to be treated, and / or to evaluate the operating parameters in combination with GPS data in order to create a map dataset relating to the spatial distribution of the plants, in particular with regard to the response of the plants to the plant protection agent.

[0161] Examples

[0162] Devices and methods are described for the treatment of plants (one or more species, or plant mixtures, also referred to as plant growth) that are not, partially, or completely resistant to one or more chemical herbicides, depending on the species. They serve the purpose of partially or completely eradicating the plants in the field (killing) and simultaneously containing or reducing resistance (breaking resistance) and preventing / delaying the development of new resistance. To this end, one or more work steps with identical or different mechanisms of action (mode of action) are used when using the device and method in such a way that they (partially) kill or control the plants at the same or different sites of action. The use of electricity is a fundamental component of the method.It is preferably, but not necessarily, combined with the partial or full-surface use of an electrical conductive agent (mixture of substances with at least one component that increases conductivity) to reduce the contact resistance between plants and electrical applicator poles, and / or with chemical herbicides.

[0163] For the electrophysical treatment of several target areas of the plant, one embodiment uses multi-stage applicators which, in one area in the direction of travel, preferably treat leaves, leaves and stems, or only stems. Short-line applicators with small applicator pole spacings relative to the plant size are preferably used, ranging between + and -, preferably between 80% and 5% of the plant's size, particularly preferably between 50% and 20% of the plant's size in and across the direction of travel (depending on the pole orientation). In the area in front of or behind, separately electrically controlled applicator poles are preferably used, which have a spacing of 800% to 80%, preferably 200% to 100%, of the plant size to be treated and are designed to also flow through and kill the lower stem and root areas of the plants.The conductive agent is applied in such a way that it is deposited on the plant in areas where contact with the applicator poles occurs most frequently. This depends on the applicator design, but preferably occurs in the upper leaf area.

[0164] To effectively break and contain resistance, and to distinguish resistant plants from non-resistant plants, the device is designed to additionally apply chemical herbicides depending on the chemical mode of action and site of action. This can occur upstream, approximately simultaneously, or downstream. The time and location of treatment are each defined as a site of action, since plant resistance is related to the combined temporal and spatial presence of plants and their corresponding genetic, physiological, and phenotypic characteristics at that time.

[0165] For example, plants are treated with the device at an early date when germination has already shifted from the regular date of plant treatment (as the sole or one of several characteristics).

[0166] At this early or later date (compared to the normal treatment date), those plants that are certain not to exhibit resistance because they were previously actively introduced into the field from appropriate seed are also preferably treated with a pesticide. This primarily and preferably applies to all catch crops, cover crops, and green manure, as well as volunteer seed from the previous field crop.

[0167] The subsequent treatment, which can be purely electrophysical, combined chemical / electrophysical, but preferably also purely chemical, additionally creates the possibility of differentiating between resistant and non-resistant plants in a subsequent evaluation step of the electrical data and of documenting this digitally in terms of location and time, based on the evaluation of data (“digital mapping”).

[0168] Simultaneous use of pesticides and application of electricity

[0169] In addition to the aforementioned device modules for electrophysical treatment (in one or more different applicator configurations arranged one behind the other in the direction of travel) and a device for applying the substance mixture, the device also includes one or more additional devices for the targeted application of chemical herbicides. The latter can be used to apply several chemical active ingredients to the entire or partial area, simultaneously or alternately. Even the separate application of the various chemical active ingredients, even to the same site of action (e.g., leaves), can improve their effectiveness and potentially reduce the development of new resistances.

[0170] Beyond this known basic phenomenon, however, it is a part of the device according to the invention that the chemical active substances are applied to different sites of action in a targeted manner and according to the mode of action, whereby the electrical applicators or associated constructive units are used to mechanically manipulate the plants (see e.g. Figures 6-8) in such a way that they improve the accessibility to the preferred sites of action, be it on the plant or on the soil.

[0171] Thus, preferably in a single treatment step, shortly before sowing or preferably after sowing, before the emergence of the commercially viable plants, the entire area, or after emergence, the areas between the plants, can be treated with a combination of electric current and chemical herbicides, preferably soil-based herbicides, as follows. The electrophysical treatment bends or displaces the plants, or growing or dead plant parts, to one side, preferably forward in the direction of travel. This exposes the base of the plant and the surrounding soil, which would otherwise be largely shielded from chemical wetting by the plant.This soil can then preferably be treated with a soil herbicide so that no new plants can emerge here in the coming weeks, while the large, overlying plant, which in many cases can no longer be treated with a chemical herbicide, especially not with a soil herbicide with limited foliar action, dies as a result of the electrophysical treatment and no longer disrupts the subsequent crop.

[0172] Depending on the design, the application device for the soil herbicide can be located directly in front of, between or behind the electrical applicator poles (see also Figures 6-8).

[0173] This combination of electrophysical and chemical treatment is also advantageous in several other aspects. For example, by treating the plants after a pass with at least one applicator pole or the applicator boom / applicator pole in front, dew or residual rain is shaken off the plants. This can, on the one hand, increase the foliar effectiveness of plant protection products by reducing the dilution of the active ingredient after spraying. At the same time, in the case of soil-applied herbicides, the water that has freshly hit the soil can significantly increase the moisture content in the top 1-2 mm of soil at the time of treatment, which is essential for their effectiveness. This means that there is no need to carry additional application water and partly waste it by hitting the leaves. The low application heights with nozzles that are immersed in the plant material (dropleg) and that are located directly between or, if necessary, above the leaves, enable the spraying to continue.are still under the intervention shield behind the electrical applicator poles, the formation of drift is practically excluded, so that the device can be used even in strong winds.

[0174] The device thus enables maximum targeting at different sites in one or a few passes with minimal resource input. This beneficial effect is crucial for the farmer, who, under time pressure and with limited equipment and labor, must be able to combine the various temporal and spatial requirements for controlling and destroying unwanted plants with any necessary soil cultivation and reseeding. At the same time, they must also consider weather conditions as a framework before, during, and after the individual work steps.

[0175] In individual cases, when only a very specific mode of action is required at one site of action, or when only a few different treatment characteristics are necessary for a time-defined work step, it is also possible according to the invention within the framework of the overall device and the overall method that the treatment device does not technically provide all individual treatment options. For example, unnecessary device components can be dispensed with by not installing them in the device currently in use, or perhaps even by not being able to install them. This means that the partial treatments of the entire area prior to the main treatment can be carried out using spraying devices alone. These can apply one or more spray agents simultaneously, but in the current configuration do not permit electrophysical treatment because a treatment module is inactive or missing.Another aspect is the transfer of mapping data (see below) to a forecasting system, which contains a digital plant and field model based on known resistance mechanisms and plant traits (see also Figure 15). This system can then, using the provided data on plant growth and plant type, forecast the respective predictions for the further emergence of resistant plants in the field in the coming weeks, months, and years, taking into account, for example, plant species, seed lifespan, last seed formation, weather, soil, and crop data. It can also link these to planned or recommended treatment methods and data for minimizing or managing resistance.

[0176] The data can be used both for the real optimization of resistance management and as documented evidence of compliance with prescribed resistance management measures.

[0177] Digital mapping, exemplary process and design of the device

[0178] The field sprayer is driven at its full spray width (e.g., 24-48 m), possibly as a trailer or self-propelled unit instead of a generator or trailed water tank (common in the USA for seeding with seed tanks). It is used to apply a herbicide before sowing, for example, to break up overgrown fallow land or green manure. The herbicide is (actually) non-selective or is selected to suit the overall task (group of non-selective herbicides, e.g., glyphosate, glufosinate, paraquat, diquat). As a result, all plants sensitive to the normal concentration of the herbicide are killed. Entire open fields can be covered with partial or spot shutoffs to save on the active ingredient, if necessary.

[0179] A few days later, but preferably before the waiting period has expired, areas where a large amount of resistant plant material (plant cover) remains are identified, for example, from old mapping (using the same device from previous years) and / or new drone images. Forecast models can also predict the emergence of new small plants.

[0180] For power application, a corresponding device, with the same or in many cases smaller working width, is driven into the selected / forecasted areas with relevant priority.

[0181] A handheld or GPS-controlled management system for power control and work profiles selects the areas where the device should be activated or sets the correct work profile. Energy thus flows only where the material is still green and conductive (power control). This can even be individual green, upright stalks, which are otherwise difficult to detect with sensors, e.g., by taking images from above, due to their small image area.

[0182] An energy management system directs the energy to where it can be used most effectively at high speeds. Furthermore, the biomass killed can be quantified based on the power output over larger areas, potentially detecting any ineffectiveness of the basic treatment (using non-selective herbicides).

[0183] Furthermore, pattern recognition of energy, current, and / or voltage curves can be used to classify areas (see Figure 15). Images of the plant growth are taken and saved in characteristic areas or when changes or new patterns occur, and then stored in a cloud for validation. These images are then available for later validation and optimization, e.g., training of the system for pattern classification and mapping optimization. It is also possible to check whether a resistance or plant, and if so, which type, was present, or whether treatment errors occurred during the application of herbicides. The data can also be used as a basis for predictive mapping, e.g., to determine whether additional herbicides may be necessary during the season (overhead or in the row), or whether post-harvest treatment would be necessary and efficient.

[0184] Other areas of application

[0185] In addition to large-scale application, selective use of high-voltage current is also possible on areas with mixtures of different plants or plants with different conditions and growth stages (plant cover). This applies, for example, to

[0186] • Areas with mixtures of partially dried out / (partially) ripened / electricity-insensitive / poorly conductive plants and particularly difficult weeds, pest phenotypes, and plants in undesirable growth stages.

[0187] • partially ripened grain areas, including partial areas, in order to specifically prevent glyphosate uptake, regardless of whether glyphosate is subsequently used for the entire area;

[0188] • mature crop fields where late weeds are removed;

[0189] • sprayed areas where individual resistant or insensitive plants remain;

[0190] • Grass areas shortly after mowing, in which herbs are still susceptible to plant control measures, especially electricity, but grass is not, because it is short and vertical, and the herbaceous plants are also wider and grow back faster - and are therefore better contacted with electricity;

[0191] • Grain fields after harvest, with remaining greenery or, for example, thistle nests;

[0192] • Areas with thistles, which can be classified as similar to resistant plants;

[0193] • Tumbleweed tracks that run across fields. Problems caused by herbicide resistance and approaches to solving them.

[0194] The long-term use of herbicides has led to a range of resistances, affecting both individual herbicides and combinations thereof. To date, the response to this has primarily been to recommend that farmers use other, more expensive and / or more complex herbicide mixtures at more precise times and locations. New products are also being developed, such as resistance-breaking active ingredients and new genetically modified organisms (GMOs) with broader resistance, as well as methods that make non-target / metabolic resistance development and evasion more difficult. Proactive and integrated approaches work with existing plant protection products (PPPs), combine GMOs with mechanical, biological and / or electrophysical methods, adapt crop rotation, and, for example,temporal management, whereby all materials and processes are examined at an early stage for risks and sustainability contributions.

[0195] Solutions that include the application of electricity as one of several process components ("multiple weed management strategies") offer particular advantages over conventional approaches to combating herbicide resistance. They enable:

[0196] • optimisation of the timing of sowing and the last pre-emergence treatment, whereby the application of electricity creates flexibility because there is no need to wait and there is no impact on the grains;

[0197] • collecting area data (monitoring) during the application of electricity, which shows what is left over after a herbicide treatment and needs to be treated from a resistance perspective (resistant areas);

[0198] • the extension of crop rotation: the application of electricity creates options where chemical herbicides are scarce or not approved (pre-emergence desiccation);

[0199] • the supplementation of chemical active ingredient changes with the application of electricity; this is more easily substituted because, among other things, no soil intervention is necessary (pre-sowing, pre-emergence, desiccation, post-harvest treatment);

[0200] • a more selective or less intensive use of cultivators and ploughs, ie only where soil movement is really desired (except for resistance control);

[0201] • greater diversity in variety selection / breeding;

[0202] The inclusion of the application of electricity in resistance control or breaking also allows the detection of plants with different adaptation mechanisms:

[0203] • Mutation-resistant plants are exposed to additional pressure against which their resistance to chemical substances is ineffective;

[0204] • NTSR-resistant plants are exposed to pressure where existing defense mechanisms are barely effective (no translocation, no reduced uptake);

[0205] • Evasive plants would have to be treated according to new criteria (early germination, so that the plant is simply larger at the time of treatment, is not sufficient; later germination is also recorded because electricity can be applied afterwards (no waiting times before sowing)).

[0206] The use of electrical power in crop protection offers the decisive advantage that, unlike with crop protection products, no waiting times need to be observed (see also the schematic representation in Figure 14). Multiple treatments with crop protection products are unfavorable due to the critical time for sowing. The time for applying electrical power, however, can be optimized without regard to waiting times, for example, by postponing it to destroy late-germinating weeds. This can also prevent the soil from being covered by larger, earlier plants (covering it before spraying and possibly also improving soil warming and faster emergence). Electrical power can even be applied after sowing (if across the entire area then during pre-emergence, otherwise also between the rows), or simultaneously and in combination with direct sowing (e.g. using a single implement).

[0207] Special advantages of the combined use of herbicides and the application of electricity in plant protection

[0208] In principle, the application of electricity is suitable for killing plants, for example, to terminate green manure or to eliminate weeds before sowing or emergence. This offers benefits for the farmer (e.g., optimized timing of plant protection and sowing) as well as for the environment (reduced use of herbicides). However, it is hardly possible to completely abandon the use of pesticides without a transition period. The reasons for this are:

[0209] • particularly large agricultural areas. These must be cultivated with working widths of 48 m and working speeds of up to 20 km / h, which is not possible for the application of electricity, at least not currently;

[0210] • not all areas have many resistant weeds;

[0211] • chemical pesticides are still the functioning and economically effective standard in many areas;

[0212] • The removal of large amounts of biomass with root action is often optimized for chemical pesticides in green manure in many areas.

[0213] The goal, therefore, is not to ad hoc abolish the use of chemical herbicides, but rather to restore the sole effectiveness of standard concentrations or to avoid gradual concentration increases. In addition, the economic, ecological, and societal risks to the entire value chain model posed by resistant weeds should be avoided. To achieve this, the basic approach is to target resistant plants of all species as safely and comprehensively as possible without creating new resistance. This is more effective the less chemically controllable vegetation there is (since it is killed and no longer conductive) and the further away from the spraying date the treatment is applied (conductivity is more reduced in non-resistant plants).

[0214] Basic concept: Efficiency as in integrated farming: combination of methods for joint intervention minimization also for sustainable conservation agriculture.

[0215] Example design of a classification device

[0216] Reference is first made to Figure 1.

[0217] Shown is a land vehicle 2 for use on arable land. In the present embodiment, the land vehicle 2 is a combination consisting of a tractor 4 pulling a trailer 6.

[0218] In the present exemplary embodiment, the towing vehicle 4 is designed as a tractor with its own drive, while the trailer 6 does not have its own drive. Thus, in the present exemplary embodiment, the land vehicle 2 is designed as a non-rail vehicle. Deviating from the present exemplary embodiment, the land vehicle 2 can also be designed as a rail-bound vehicle. Deviating from this exemplary embodiment, the treatment unit can also be attached as an attachment to a tractor or other sufficiently motorized agricultural implement, or the treatment unit and the transport vehicle can form a fixed unit as a self-propelled vehicle (analogous to a self-propelled crop protection sprayer).

[0219] In the present embodiment, a treatment device 8 for the electrical treatment of plants, comprising a wetting module 10 and an electrical module 12, is assigned to the trailer 6. Deviating from the present embodiment, the wetting module 10 and / or the electrical module 12 can be assigned to the towing vehicle 4. If both the wetting module 10 and the electrical module 12 are assigned to the towing vehicle 4, the trailer 6 can be omitted. Furthermore, the wetting module 10 and / or the electrical module 12 can each be designed as individual attachments that can be mounted as needed and removed again after use.

[0220] The wetting module 10 is designed to apply a liquid mixture of substances to the plants and / or soil to be treated. The liquid mixture applied to the plants can contain an active ingredient that reduces the electrical contact resistance of plants and / or one or more additional active ingredients.

[0221] The electrical module 12 is designed to apply electrical energy to plants in order to kill them, e.g., as part of green manure control, weed control, or desiccation, e.g., of potato plants, cereals, or legumes. The plants can be, in particular, terrestrial plants (Embryophyta), such as higher plants, or vascular plants, particularly plants with a structure consisting of roots, stems, and leaves (corms), but also mosses or lichens, or algae growing on solid substrates that are to be controlled or killed accordingly.

[0222] By applying the mixture of substances with a component that reduces contact resistance, electrical contact resistance between the applicators 28a, 28b, 28c (see Figure 4) of the electrical module 12 for contacting the plants and the contacted plants can be reduced. Furthermore, the improved conductivity through the surfaces also reduces the tendency for arcing, which reduces energy consumption during such an electrical treatment of plants.

[0223] In the present embodiment, during an electrical treatment of plants on the agricultural land, the plants are exposed to electrical energy in the form of a direct current. In the present embodiment, a direct voltage of 1,500 V to 5,500 V with a maximum residual ripple of 5% to 20% (in the frequency range 60 kHz to 200 kHz) is used for the electrical treatment of plants. In contrast to the present embodiment, a direct voltage of less than 1,500 V or alternating voltage can also be used.

[0224] To supply, for example, pumps of the wetting module 10 and the electrical module 12 with electrical operating energy, a generator 14 is also arranged on the trailer 6 in the present embodiment. The generator 14 provides electrical operating energy and is connected to the wetting module 10 and the electrical module 12 to transmit the electrical operating energy.

[0225] In the present embodiment, the generator 14 is supplied with mechanical operating energy via a power take-off shaft 16 of the towing vehicle 4. In contrast to the present embodiment, mechanical drive energy for the generator 14 can also be provided via a hydraulic circuit and / or a separate motor.

[0226] In the present embodiment, generator 14 provides three-phase electrical current with an output of approximately 200 kVA at an electrical voltage of 400 V and a frequency of 50 Hz to 60 Hz. Deviating from the present embodiment, the output and / or electrical voltage of the three-phase electrical current can be higher or lower. The three-phase electrical current is transmitted via electrical lines to at least one transformation and control unit of the electrical module 12.

[0227] Further details and components of the electrical module 12 are explained below.

[0228] Reference is now additionally made to Figure 2. A plurality of applicator assemblies 18 are arranged side by side in an applicator row 22 on two extension arms 20a, 20b of the treatment device 8, which can be displaced between a non-use position (shown) and a use position (not shown), wherein the extension direction of the applicator row 22 preferably extends transversely, in the present embodiment at an angle of 90°, to the direction of travel FR of the land vehicle 2.

[0229] When the extension arms 20a, 20b are lowered from the non-use position into the use position, an area A with plants can be first wetted with the liquid substance mixture by the wetting module 10 using the treatment device 8 and then subjected to an electrical treatment by applying a direct electrical current using the electrical module 12. For this purpose, the trailer 6 with the treatment device 8 was moved by the towing vehicle 4 in the direction of travel FR at a speed v of, for example, 6 km / h over the area A and applied with a direct electrical current across the entire width b of the applicator row 22. Thus, each of the applicator assemblies 18 treats a strip-shaped section of the area A.

[0230] In the present embodiment, the applicator row 22 covers a total working width of 0.3 m to 48 m, preferably 6 m to 27 m.

[0231] Reference is now made additionally to Figure 3.

[0232] Shown is one of the two cantilever arms 20a, 20b, namely the cantilever arm 20a of the treatment device 8 with the wetting module 10 and the electrical module 12 in the use position.

[0233] In the present embodiment, the wetting module 10 has a plurality of nozzles 24 for applying the liquid substance mixture to plants, which can be controlled jointly, in groups, or individually. These nozzles are arranged in a nozzle row 26 parallel to the applicator row 22. Thus, a spray area of ​​the nozzles 24 is located in front of each of the applicator assemblies 18, so that the respective applicator assemblies 18 and nozzles 24 can interact during operation in such a way that plants are first wetted with the liquid substance mixture using the nozzles 24 and then subjected to an electrotreatment using the applicator assemblies 18.

[0234] In the present embodiment, it is provided that applicators 28a, 28b, 28c (see Figure 4) of the applicator assemblies 18 can be moved individually or in groups into a non-use position. In the present embodiment, this can be achieved by a pivoting movement S1 about a first axis. This relocation of the applicator assemblies 18 into their non-use position can occur independently of the nozzles 24 of the wetting module 10 for applying the liquid substance mixture to plants. In other words, the active nozzles 24 of the wetting module 10 are not relocated but remain in their working position.

[0235] Furthermore, the present embodiment provides for the nozzles 24 of the wetting module 10 to be moved from their working position to a transport position. In the present embodiment, the nozzles 24 of the wetting module 10, together with the applicator assemblies 18 (which are in their non-use position), can be moved to a transport position, e.g., by a second pivoting movement S2 about a second axis whose direction of extension differs from the first axis.

[0236] In the present embodiment, the first axis of the first pivoting movement S1 extends transversely to the direction of travel FR and thus in the direction of the respective longitudinal extensions of the two boom arms 20a, 20b, while the second axis of the second pivoting movement S2 extends in the direction of travel FR. In other words, the two boom arms 20a, 20b are folded upwards to bring them into their transport position.

[0237] The liquid mixture of substances can contain at least one active ingredient. The at least one active ingredient can be an active ingredient that reduces the electrical contact resistance in the area of ​​the plant surface. The at least one active ingredient can contain at least one conductivity-enhancing substance. The conductivity-enhancing substance can be selected from the group consisting of inorganic salts, carbon, humic substances, chelated iron, other chelated metal ions, and other metal ions with complexing agents.

[0238] The liquid substance mixture can also comprise at least one first active ingredient component and at least one second active ingredient component. For example, the first active ingredient component can comprise at least one conductivity-enhancing substance, and the second active ingredient component can comprise at least one surface-active substance. The surface-active substance can be a wetting substance. The surface-active substance can be selected from the group consisting of surfactants.

[0239] The liquid mixture may contain additional active ingredients, for example, at least one viscosity-increasing substance. The viscosity-increasing substance may be 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.

[0240] Active ingredients with multiple effects are also possible, such as the effect of a surfactant and the effect of a viscosity-increasing substance. Furthermore, the liquid mixture can contain a soil activator component, such as yeast and / or lactic acid bacteria. Furthermore, the liquid mixture can contain a composting-accelerating active ingredient component. Herbicides, pesticides, and / or fungicides can also be used as active ingredients.

[0241] Reference is now made additionally to Figure 4.

[0242] Shown is an applicator assembly 18 which, in the present embodiment, has three applicators 28a, 28b, 28c (applicator trio) for applying direct electrical current to the plant growth.

[0243] In the present exemplary embodiment, the first applicator 28a is electrically connected to a first polarity P1, the second applicator 28b to a second polarity P2, and the third applicator 28c to the first polarity P1. The applicators 28a and 28b are controlled by a first high-voltage unit (switching arrangement 100a), and the applicators 28b and 28c are controlled by a second high-voltage unit (switching arrangement 100b), with the applicator 28b being assigned to both high-voltage units. The applicators, which are controlled by a high-voltage unit, form an electrical unit (applicator unit) whose electrical input and output currents together add up to zero. In contrast, no electrical current flows between adjacent applicator assemblies 18 of the applicator row 22 during operation.

[0244] In the present exemplary embodiment, due to the difference between the two polarities P1, P2, a first electrical voltage is established between the first applicator 28a and the second applicator 28b, and a second electrical voltage, both of which are the same, is established between the second applicator 28b and the third applicator 28c. In contrast to the present exemplary embodiment, the two electrical voltages can also have different values. In contrast to the present exemplary embodiment, the applicator unit can also have more than three applicators 28a, 28b, 28c or just two applicators 28a, 28b in different polarity sequences and, for example, metallic embodiments. Furthermore, in contrast to the present exemplary embodiment, the applicators 28a, 28b, 28c can also have a main direction of extension other than transverse to the direction of travel FR.In other words, an applicator unit is understood to be a unit consisting of at least two applicators 28a, 28b, 28c, which have a different electrical potential during operation and are connected to different potential outputs of a single high-voltage unit, thus being clearly assigned and electrically controlled uniformly. Furthermore, a plurality of applicator units can be arranged one behind the other in the direction of travel FR.

[0245] Reference is now additionally made to Figure 5 to explain an applicator unit with two high-voltage units, wherein the two high-voltage units are designed as two circuit assemblies 100a, 100b. The two circuit assemblies 100a, 100b are electrically connected to the three applicators 28a, 28b, 28c. The first circuit assembly 100a and the second circuit assembly 100b are electrically connected via a contactor assembly 102, e.g. in a switch cabinet of the transformation and control unit, in a detachable manner to the three phases L1, L2, L3 and in a non-detachable manner to a neutral conductor N of the generator 14. Thus, if necessary, e.g. for safety reasons, the first circuit assembly 100a and the second circuit assembly 100b can be electrically disconnected from the generator 14. In the present embodiment, the neutral conductor N is connected to a housing of the first circuit arrangement 100a orthe second circuit arrangement 100b is electrically connected and grounded.

[0246] In the present exemplary embodiment, the first circuit arrangement 100a or the second circuit arrangement 100b comprises the following components: a line filter 104, a contactor assembly 106, an inverter 108, a resonant circuit 116, a transformer 122, a rectifier 124, and a control unit 136 for controlling the first circuit arrangement 100a or the second circuit arrangement 100b. The line filter 104 is electrically connected to the three phases L1, L2, L3, which can be isolated by means of the contactor assembly 106. In the present exemplary embodiment, the line filter 104 is designed to filter out interfering frequencies and other interference signals from the three phases L1, L2, L3. The contactor assembly 106 of the first circuit arrangement 100a or the second circuit arrangement 100b following the mains filter 104 can electrically separate the downstream inverter 108 from the mains filter 104.

[0247] In the present embodiment, inverter 108 is an indirect converter with DC voltage in the intermediate circuit (also known as a voltage-source inverter - VSI). The components of inverter 108 shown are a rectifier, in the present embodiment an AC / DC converter 110, a DC voltage circuit with an intermediate circuit capacitor 112, and an output-side inverter, in the present embodiment a DC / AC converter 114. Deviating from the present embodiment, other converter types can also be used.

[0248] An oscillating circuit 116 is connected to the output side of inverter 108. For example, oscillating circuit 116 can be a series oscillating circuit, the components of which are shown as an inductor 118 and a capacitor 120. Oscillating circuit 116 is electrically connected to an input of transformer 122. In the present embodiment, transformer 122 has two magnetically coupled coils, thus providing galvanic isolation between the input side of transformer 122 and its output side.

[0249] The output side of transformer 122 is electrically connected to rectifier 124, which in the present embodiment is a bridge rectifier with a downstream smoothing capacitor 126. Through the interaction of inverter 108 and resonant circuit 116, as well as transformer 122 with the downstream rectifier 124, in the present embodiment, a three-phase electrical current with an electrical voltage of 400 V can be converted into an electrical direct voltage U of 1,500 V to 5,500 V with a maximum residual ripple of 5% to 20% (in the frequency range 60 kHz to 100 kHz).

[0250] The electrical DC voltage U is composed of a constant DC 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. The peak-to-valley value is less than 1,000 V. In the present embodiment, the peak-to-valley value ranges from 100 V to 500 V, depending on the load (pure ohmic resistance).

[0251] Thus, during operation, the first circuit arrangement 100a or the second circuit arrangement 100b provides a first polarity P1, in the present embodiment, a positive polarity, at a first output and a second polarity P2, in the present embodiment, a negative polarity, at a second output.

[0252] For electrical protection, in the present embodiment, a fuse 128a, 128b is provided between the first applicator 28a and the second applicator 28b or between the second applicator 28b and the third applicator 28c.

[0253] In the present exemplary embodiment, the control unit 136 is supplied with operating energy from the three phases L1, L2, L3, wherein an AC / DC converter 134 connected upstream of the control unit 136 provides an electrical direct voltage of 24 V. Furthermore, in the present exemplary embodiment, the control unit 136 is connected to an ammeter 130 and a voltmeter 132 for transmitting measured variables. The ammeter 130 measures an electrical current intensity of the electrical current I flowing through the first applicator 28a and the second applicator 28b or the second applicator 28b and the third applicator 28c, while the voltmeter 132 measures a voltage level of an electrical voltage U between the first applicator 28a and the second applicator 28b or the second applicator 28b and the third applicator 28c.

[0254] In the present exemplary embodiment, the control unit 136 is designed to control the inverter 108, in particular the DC / AC converter 114, by means of control signals AS such that a substantially constant electrical power is provided by the first circuit arrangement 100a or by the second circuit arrangement 100b by means of pulse width and / or frequency modulation. A substantially constant electrical power is understood to mean an electrical power whose values ​​fluctuate within a usual range around a power setpoint, ie, which deviate from the power setpoint by, for example, 3%, 5%, or 10%.

[0255] In other words, the respective control unit 136 of the first circuit arrangement 100a or the second circuit arrangement 100b permanently detects a respective strength of an electrical direct current I and a level of an electrical direct voltage U on a secondary side of the transformer 122, so that a value for the ohmic resistance can be determined at any time.

[0256] During operation, the respective control units 136 are given a respective target value SW for the amount of energy to be delivered, e.g., by the driver, e.g., based on load distribution. If the respective detected ohmic resistance at the applicators 28a, 28b, 28c is too high (a maximum electrical direct voltage is reached), the amount of energy delivered drops in line with the ohmic resistance. However, the level of the applied electrical direct voltage U remains unchanged due to a voltage limit. Since the electrical direct voltage U and the electrical direct current I can now also be measured, a value for the ohmic resistance can be reliably determined in this state too. The same applies to a current limit. Once a maximum electrical direct current is reached, the delivered electrical direct current power drops linearly with the ohmic resistance.Even in this operating state, the strength of the direct electrical current I and the level of the direct electrical voltage U on the secondary side continue to be reliably measured.

[0257] The applicators or applicator poles are designed to be location-independent, meaning they move with the treatment device during operation. The applicators are designed to be ungrounded, particularly functionally ungrounded. Functional grounding is understood to be a permanent electrically conductive connection to earth potential, essential for the operation of the treatment device, through which an electrical working current is conducted for the electrical treatment of plants. In other words, there is no preferred applicator or applicator pole designed as a 30-ground connection. Rather, the applicators are designed to be galvanically isolated.

[0258] Reference is now made additionally to Figure 6.

[0259] In the present embodiment, a land vehicle 2 designed as a tractor is shown.

[0260] The wetting module 10 of the treatment device 8 is arranged at the front in the direction of travel FR, while the electrical module 12 of the treatment device 8 is arranged at the rear in the direction of travel FR.

[0261] In the present exemplary embodiment, an additional beam 302, e.g., with a round cross-section, is provided to expose the soil. The beam extends with its main extension transversely to the direction of travel FR and displaces the vegetation 300 forward in the direction of travel FR, thus at least temporarily exposing the soil. In the present exemplary embodiment, the additional beam 302 is arranged in front of the applicator assembly 18 or the first applicator 28a of the applicators 28a, 28b, 28c in the direction of travel FR. The additional beam 302 can be made of an electrically conductive material, such as a metal.

[0262] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, an application device 304, such as a nozzle, is provided behind the applicator assembly 18 in the direction of travel FR, with which, for example, the soil herbicide or another liquid crop protection agent can be applied to the temporarily exposed soil, ie before the vegetation 300 grows up again.

[0263] Reference is now made additionally to Figure 7.

[0264] In the present embodiment, the applicators 28a, 28b, 28c and the application device 304 are arranged in the direction of travel FR such that the soil herbicide is injected in front of the first applicator 28a in the direction of travel FR.

[0265] Reference is now made additionally to Figure 8.

[0266] In the present embodiment, in order to expose the floor, the additional beam 302 is arranged in the direction of travel FR behind the applicator assembly 18 or the last applicator 28c of the applicators 28a, 28b, 28c.

[0267] The additional beam 302 can also be formed by one of the applicators 28a, 28b, 28c, i.e., the additional beam 302 is then made of an electrically conductive material, such as a metal. Furthermore, the applicators 28a, 28b, 28c themselves can be designed to mechanically displace the vegetation 300, so that at least temporarily a portion of the soil is exposed and a soil herbicide is applied directly to the soil and not to the plants.

[0268] Furthermore, the applicators 28a, 28b, 28c themselves can be designed as scrapers, or the applicators 28, 28b, 28c can each be assigned scrapers which scrape dew from the plant growth and direct it towards the ground.

[0269] Reference is now made additionally to Figure 9.

[0270] In order to classify the vegetation, the treatment device 8 is assigned a determination module (70) with an area determination module 71 and a measuring module 72, and a classification module 73 for classification, the components of which will now be explained with additional reference to Figure 9.

[0271] For the tasks and / or functions described below, the area determination module 71, the measurement module 72 and the classification module 73 may each have hardware and / or software components.

[0272] The area determination module 71 is designed in the present exemplary embodiment to read in a driving speed v of the land vehicle 2. The driving speed v can be determined using a speedometer of the land vehicle 2 and made available for reading, for example, via a 7-pin connector in accordance with ISO 11786 or via an ISOBUS interface. Alternatively, a cutting disk can be provided which rolls on the ground and whose rotational speed is recorded and evaluated in order to determine the driving speed v. Furthermore, the area determination module 71 is designed in the present exemplary embodiment to determine the size of a surface section of the area A for which the amount of electrical energy was recorded, taking into account the width b of the applicator assembly 18 and the time interval in which measuring points of the measuring module are included. The sampling frequency with which the measuring module 72 measures the current intensity and voltage orwhose change is recorded, can be significantly higher than the time interval in which these measurement points or information derived from them (e.g., energy quantity, power, resistance, and / or conductivity) are included in the classification. For example, with a driving speed of 5 km / h and a time interval of 500 ms in the present embodiment, as well as a width b of 1.5 m, the area size is approximately 1 m. 2 . The area size is identical to the spatial resolution.

[0273] In this case, the area determination module 71 can be designed to take into account, for example, changing driving speeds v. Thus, doubling the driving speed leads to doubling the area size and thus to halving the spatial resolution, unless the temporal resolution of the transmitted data (ie, the time interval) is adjusted.

[0274] In the present embodiment, the measuring module 72 is designed to detect the electrical direct current intensity and the electrical direct voltage level on the secondary side of the transformer 122, with each high-voltage unit being assigned a measuring module 72. In addition, the measuring module 72 is designed to determine the value indicative of the electrical energy output P.

[0275] In the present embodiment, the classification module 73 is configured to read in the area size determined by the area determination module 71 and the current intensity, voltage, and electrical energy output P determined by the measurement module 72. Furthermore, the classification module 73 is configured in the present embodiment 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 area A.

[0276] The vegetation-specific factor F can, for example, take into account a type and / or shape and / or size and / or condition of the plants. 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 land vehicle 2 via an HMI (human-machine interface), such as a touch display, of the land vehicle 2, or they can be determined automatically, e.g., by means of image analysis or another type of sensor system, e.g., paired with archived values ​​in a stored table, in order to then determine the vegetation-specific factor F.

[0277] The value indicative of an electrical resistance R of the soil can be measured in advance or simultaneously during an electrical treatment of the vegetation or alternatively entered manually via an HMI of the land vehicle 2 or alternatively read from an archived table.

[0278] The classification module 73 then provides a value indicative of the state Z of the vegetation 300.

[0279] Furthermore, the classification module 73 is designed to evaluate the value indicative of the plant growth 300 and, in the present exemplary embodiment, to assign it to one of the four classes K1, K2, K3, K4. In the present exemplary embodiment, for example, class K1 is assigned to dead plant growth 300, class K2 to dying plant growth, class K3 to dried-out plant growth, and class K4 to vital plant growth 300. In the present exemplary embodiment, each of the classes K1, K2, K3, K4 is assigned value ranges for values ​​indicative of the plant growth 300, so that by comparing values ​​it can be determined into which of the classes K1, K2, K3, K4 the state Z falls. Further and more specific classifications are possible in further embodiments depending on the data basis.

[0280] Reference is now made additionally to Figure 10.

[0281] Further components of the treatment device 8 are shown. The components shown are a map data set creation device 200 and a forecast data creation device 202.

[0282] In the present exemplary embodiment, the map data set creation device 200 is configured to read in a position data set PD of a classified area section and to assign the position data set PD to the classified area section in order to obtain a map data set KDS, e.g., with a position of resistant or generally classified vegetation in an area FB. The position data set PD can be provided by a GPS system 204 or another navigation system.

[0283] The forecast data generation device 202 is configured to read weather data WD from a weather database 206 and to assign the weather data WD to the map data set KDS to obtain a forecast data set PDS with a position of future resistant vegetation. Furthermore, biological data on the germination, growth, and spread of plants belonging to the respective classified group can be added via a human-machine interface or from other sources and integrated into the forecast evaluation. Based on its internal simulations, the forecast determines probability values ​​for future vegetation based on deterministic and / or AI-based spread and growth models.

[0284] Reference is now additionally made to Figure 11 to explain a method sequence for operating the treatment device 8.

[0285] In a first step S100, a herbicide is applied to the vegetation 300.

[0286] In a further step S200, an electric current is applied to the vegetation 300. The application of the electric current may comprise applying the substance mixture, which has at least one component that increases electrical conductivity, wherein the substance mixture is applied before the application of the current. By applying the current, the vegetation is subjected to a first electrotreatment, which kills or at least damages the plants.

[0287] In a further step S300, which occurs largely simultaneously with the application of the current, at least one electrical parameter of the electrical current emitted during application is recorded, wherein the at least one electrical parameter is determined by at least one property of the plant growth 300.

[0288] In a further step S400, the vegetation 300 is classified based on the determined electrical parameters, here the amount of electrical energy emitted.

[0289] In a further step S500, a position data record PD is read in, which is representative of the location of the power output at the time of recording the power output,

[0290] In a further step S600, one of the specific classes K1, K2, K3, K4 is assigned to the position data set PD. In a further step S700, a map data set KDS is created using the position data set PD and one of the specific classes K1, K2, K3, K4.

[0291] In a further step S800, a weather data set WD is read in.

[0292] In a further step S900, a future plant growth is determined taking into account the respective classes K1, K2, K3, K4, weather data WD and / or information on seed dispersal and / or growth characteristics of the plants.

[0293] In a further step S1000, at least one area of ​​the soil is subjected to a further treatment depending on the determined classes K1, K2, K3, K4 in the map data set KDS. This treatment is preferably carried out again by applying an electric current.

[0294] The soil with vegetation 300 may be a grain field that is at least partially mature. However, it may also be a green manure or weedy area (fallow land), or another (possibly non-agricultural) area with corresponding vegetation that requires treatment.

[0295] Application examples

[0296] Cultivation of crops

[0297] Before sowing / emergence, herbicides are applied in conjunction with an electrical application. The electrical application can be limited to areas with existing resistance (e.g., known from previous mapping) or applied proactively over a large area to reduce selection pressure. This allows for a significant reduction in the amount of herbicides used:

[0298] • Roundup / Glyphosate (-33%)

[0299] • 2,4-D (-33%) Warrant Soil Herbicide (+ / - 0%)

[0300] XtendiMax / Dicamba-diglycolamine (-50%)

[0301] This allows valuable GMO-combined herbicides to be saved for use in crops and reduces resistance pressure.

[0302] After harvest, areas with resistant plants (weeds) identified by mapping during pre-sowing / pre-emergence treatment are treated with electricity to further limit the spread of resistant plants.

[0303] The use of electricity not only enables the reliable destruction of weeds and existing resistant plants, but also counteracts the emergence of new resistances, as the plants cannot escape the effects of the electricity due to existing resistance mechanisms. Resistance to herbicides can arise, for example, through selection based on germination time. Plants that germinate early are already too large by the time the herbicide is applied, so the applied dose has little effect. Late-germinating plants have not yet germinated by the time of treatment, so the herbicide has no effect. The application of electricity can be carried out at short intervals and close to the time of sowing. Furthermore, the application of electricity can be used under a variety of weather conditions, unlike herbicides. This allows plants (weeds) to be destroyed regardless of their germination time.

[0304] Other resistance mechanisms are also circumvented by the application of electricity. The application of electricity affects the phenotype (conductive leaves, stems, roots), but not specific molecules and / or metabolic pathways, and thus triggers neither drug-specific resistance (target site resistance) nor metabolic drug-nonspecific resistance (NTSR).

[0305] A total herbicide, such as glyphosate, is used to terminate the green manure crop. This is efficient, rapid, suitable for large biomass and maximum area coverage, and has limited selection pressure. Resistant plants that escape the kill are difficult to distinguish and identify within the mass of the green manure. By applying electricity to the plants subsequently, e.g., 2 days to 3 weeks after the application of the total herbicide, resistant plants can be killed regardless of their visual detectability and identified by recording their power output. This can reduce the development of resistance, prevent the emergence of new resistant plants while the total herbicide is inactive, and avoid further selection pressure.

[0306] In this way, pre-sowing control of resistant plants is possible.

[0307] Digital mapping and forecasting

[0308] In a field with plants of different conditions (dried / vital) and / or different types, these differences can be determined by applying electricity to the plants.

[0309] Differences in plant cover occur, for example, after a field planted with green manure is initially treated with a total herbicide, to which some plants are resistant. While the plants sensitive to the total herbicide die, the resistant plants survive. These can be detected and killed simultaneously by applying electricity.

[0310] While the plants are subjected to current, current, voltage, resistance, energy, and conductivity are measured at each high-voltage unit. Measurement / processing is possible with a sampling frequency in the range of 1 Hz - 1000 Hz, preferably in the range of 2 Hz - 200 Hz. The information is improved when multiple applicator units are used in series. Using pattern recognition, neural networks, and / or artificial intelligence training, a specific, defined pattern can be derived from the temporal progression as a classification, which can be used to determine which plant types and / or conditions are located under the applicator.

[0311] For example, short, very high conductivity peaks indicate low, herbaceous plants. Long periods of medium conductivity indicate grasses in larger patches. Large, easily siccated plants have significantly altered, often significantly higher, conductivity in subsequent applicator sessions and measurements, as they are already severely damaged (more watery).

[0312] Especially when plant diversity is limited, statements about different plant species are also possible.

[0313] In addition, time series of what was measured when, including information on the last sowing date, seed viability, flight distance and frequency, etc., can be used to determine the probability of the population size in the next growth cycle and to derive treatment recommendations from this.

[0314] A schematic representation of this is shown in Figure 15.

[0315] Application of soil herbicide during the application of electricity

[0316] Before sowing or in advance, plants (weeds) are treated with electric current, possibly also with a foliar herbicide that acts by contact. This reduces the development of resistance and promotes long-term effectiveness in non-GMO crops.

[0317] With conventional soil-based herbicide applications, the plants are sprayed from above, which can result in large shade gaps if weeds are present, meaning the soil-based herbicide cannot reach the soil (over its entire surface). If the soil-based herbicide contacts leaves, it cannot take effect there and is therefore lost. With simultaneous electrical application, the existing plants (weeds) are killed. At the same time, the applicators or applicator assemblies tilt them, and their branches may be bent upwards in the direction of travel. This allows the herbicide to reach the soil even in shaded areas. Furthermore, (additional) spraying from a very short distance is possible, allowing work to be carried out even in windy conditions and with the risk of drift (reducing dependence on weather conditions). A further advantage is that dew and raindrops are brushed off the plants, falling to the ground where they enhance the effectiveness of the soil-based herbicide.It also promotes the effect of any foliar herbicide applied at the same time, which would otherwise be diluted by the moisture on the leaves.

[0318] Spray nozzles can be mounted at various positions within an applicator assembly, including its cover:

[0319] A dropleg with side guidance of the plants directly in front of the applicator assembly (with / without power on the sides); (Figure 6)

[0320] B Nozzles for spraying behind the first applicator pole;

[0321] C Nozzles behind the applicator assembly or its cover, spraying both before the plants spring up and behind the plants that have been re-established; (Figure 6)

[0322] D Nozzles in front of the applicator assembly, if necessary with an additional beam that does not carry current and is mounted in front of the intervention guard; (Figure 7)

[0323] E Nozzles behind the applicator assembly or its cover with additional bar that does not carry current and is mounted behind the access guard; (Figure 8)

[0324] Application of soil herbicide during the application of electricity in combination with sowing

[0325] To improve workflows in agriculture, it is helpful to reduce the overall labor effort and to schedule individual work processes more flexibly. To achieve this, it is advantageous if several work steps can be performed in a single pass. For example, the application of a soil herbicide with simultaneous application of electricity, as described above, can be combined with seeding.

[0326] To do this, the plants to be destroyed (e.g., weeds, green manure, resistant plants) are treated with electric current. Seeding takes place immediately afterward, preferably in the same pass, i.e., using the same device. The soil is smoothed again, and a soil-based herbicide, which protects the seeds, is sprayed onto the soil.

[0327] Alternatively, direct seeding can be performed between the plants (e.g., weeds, green manure, resistant plants), whereby only a narrow strip of soil is disturbed / cut. The soil above the seed furrow is smoothed again, and the entire area is treated with an electric current. Immediately afterward, while the plants are still pushed away by the applicator assembly(s), a soil-based herbicide that protects the seeds is sprayed onto the soil, preferably in the same pass, i.e., using the same overall device.

[0328] Reference numbers

[0329] 2 land vehicle

[0330] 4 towing vehicle

[0331] 6 followers

[0332] 8 Treatment device

[0333] 10 Wetting module

[0334] 12 Electrical module

[0335] 14 Generator

[0336] 16 PTO

[0337] 18 Applicator assembly

[0338] 20a boom arm

[0339] 20b boom arm

[0340] 22 applicator row

[0341] 24 nozzle

[0342] 26 nozzle rows

[0343] 28a Applicator

[0344] 28b Applicator

[0345] 28c applicator

[0346] 70 Determination module

[0347] 71 Area Determination Module

[0348] 72 measuring module

[0349] 73 Classification Module

[0350] 100a circuit arrangement

[0351] 100b circuit arrangement

[0352] 102 Contactor assembly

[0353] 104 line filters

[0354] 106 Contactor assembly 108 Inverter

[0355] 110 AC / DC converters

[0356] 112 DC link capacitor

[0357] 114 DC / AC converters

[0358] 116 resonant circuit

[0359] 118 Inductance

[0360] 120 capacity

[0361] 122 Transformer

[0362] 124 rectifiers

[0363] 126 smoothing capacitor

[0364] 128a fuse

[0365] 128b fuse

[0366] 130 ammeter

[0367] 132 Voltmeter

[0368] 134 AC / DC converters

[0369] 136 Control unit

[0370] 200 Card Record Creation Device

[0371] 202 Forecast data generation device

[0372] 204 GPS system

[0373] 206 Weather database

[0374] 300 vegetation

[0375] 302 additional beams

[0376] 304 Order setup

[0377] FR Direction of travel v Driving speed

[0378] A Area F Factor

[0379] FB Surface area b Width

[0380] 51 Swivel movement

[0381] 52 Swivel movement

[0382] P1 Polarity

[0383] P2 polarity

[0384] K1 class

[0385] K2 Class

[0386] K3 class

[0387] K4 class

[0388] L1 phase

[0389] L2 phase

[0390] L3 phase

[0391] SW setpoint

[0392] U electrical direct voltage

[0393] N neutral conductor

[0394] PD position data record

[0395] KDS card data set

[0396] FB area

[0397] WD weather data

[0398] PDS forecast data set

[0399] P Energy quantity levy

[0400] R resistance

[0401] Z condition

[0402] I direct electrical current

[0403] AS control signals S100 step

[0404] S200 Step

[0405] S300 step

[0406] S400 step

[0407] S500 step

[0408] S600 step

[0409] S700 step

[0410] S800 step

[0411] S900 step

[0412] SWOOStep

Claims

Patent claims 1 . Method for classifying a plant growth (300) with the steps Applying electric current to the plant growth (300), Detecting at least one parameter of the electrical current emitted during application, wherein the parameter is determined by at least one property of the plant growth (300), Classifying the vegetation (300) based on at least one parameter.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one parameter of the electrical current delivered during application is selected from the group consisting of current, voltage, power, energy quantity, resistance, conductivity and combinations thereof.

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the application of the electrical current takes place via at least two applicators (28a, 28b, 28c) and when detecting the at least one parameter, an electrical current intensity of the electrical current flowing through the applicators (28a, 28b, 28c) and / or an electrical voltage level between two applicators (28a, 28b, 28c) is detected.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the method further comprises the steps of: Reading in a position data record (PD) that is representative of the location where the electrical current was applied at the time of recording the at least one parameter, and Assigning the classified vegetation (300) to the position data set (PD).

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the method further comprises the step: Creating a map data set (KDS).

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the method further comprises the step: Predicting a state of a future vegetation cover (300) taking into account the classification, weather data, and / or seed dispersal data.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the method further comprises the step: Application of a soil herbicide.

8. A method for treating a soil with vegetation (300), comprising the steps: Applying at least one herbicide to the vegetation (300), Classifying the vegetation (300) using the method according to claim 1, Creating a map data set (KDS) that specifies the classification of vegetation cover (300) on an area of land, Treating at least part of the area of the soil for which a particular classification has been made, preferably by applying electric current.

9. Classification device for classifying a plant growth (300) with an electrical module (12) for applying electrical current to the plant growth (300), a determination module (70) for detecting at least one parameter of the electrical current emitted during application, and a classification module (73) for classifying the plant growth (300) based on the at least one parameter.

10. Classification device according to claim 9, wherein at least one applicator (28a, 28b, 28c) and / or an additional part for displacing the Plant growth (300) is designed to expose a soil section at least temporarily, wherein at least one nozzle (24) is provided for applying a soil herbicide to the exposed soil section.

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