Tree-sensing spray boom for rangeland
1992
Wiedemann, H.T. | Bowman, D.N. | McCollum, W.A.
Application of herbicides to the soil for selective control of trees and shrubs on rangelands is usually done manually with herbicide amounts varying with tree size. A boom was constructed to optically sense tree canopy width and apply a measured amount of herbicide to the soil based on electronic determination of tree size. Dosage per tree was varied by the number of pre-measured "shots" of herbicide applied. The delivery system functioned very well in applying 2.4 shots of herbicide per meter of canopy width (r(2) = 0.86) when operating in tree canopy widths of 0.8 to 4.6 m. Applications of hexazinone were predictable using several methods of evaluation. Mesquite plant kill was 44% at 60 months post-treatment. Time between shots and dosage per shot could be adjusted. The technique provides a method to apply correct dosages of herbicide over extended periods independent of operator fatigue and judgement, and the system is relatively simple.
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