Page 18 - Green knowledge 2025

Photo: Therese With Berge
Patch spraying of weeds in cereals with AI
Precision spraying with a high-tech sensor system not only reduces the use of herbicides in
winter cereals but also maintains, or even improves, crop quality.
In the PresiHøstkorn project, NIBIO has investi-
gated how winter cereal yields are affected when
using the DAT Ecopatch sensor system from Dimen-
sions Agri Technologies AS. The system is mounted
on a field sprayer and distinguishes between crops
and weeds, so spraying occurs only where necessary.
Dr Therese W. Berge explains that the camera uses
artificial intelligence to control the sprayer according
to a chosen damage threshold.
The project has studied how effectively weeds are
controlled, the quality of the cereal crop, and how
much herbicide can be saved.
“The good news is that yields are maintained com-
pared with conventional practice, where the entire
field is sprayed at the standard dose. The yield is at
least as good, and in two out of six fields, we
achieved higher yields,” says Dr Berge.
The trial has shown that it is possible to save very
large amounts of herbicide with camera-controlled
spot spraying in cereals – up to 90 percent, depend-
ing on the threshold setting.
“The use of AI has made the system much more
robust. It has been difficult to get classical machine
vision to work reliably and consistently,” she says.
Several farmers have already adopted the system.
The sensor can also be purchased integrated into
new sprayers via Kverneland.
Dr Berge emphasises that precision spraying is
important in integrated pest management: chemicals
are applied only where needed, which can reduce
resistance while providing resources for beneficial
organisms. It can be highly useful for farmers who
want to combine efficient crop production with
improved environmental stewardship.
Purpose: Collaboration: Funding: Contact: To develop and test AI-driven precision spraying that reduces herbicide use while ensuring high yield
and quality in cereal fields.
Dimensions Agri Technologies AS (DAT), Norwegian Agricultural Advisory Service
“Action Plan for Sustainable Use of Pesticides,” administered by the Norwegian Agriculture Agency
Research Scientist Therese With Berge, Division of Biotechnology and Plant Health.
Email: therese.berge@nibio.no | Phone: +47 922 93 927
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