Major tractor manufacturers are now adopting commercial spot spraying systems, which is expected to accelerate market introductions. While John Deere is not the first company to offer this technology, its entry into the market is significant. The first commercially available spot spraying systems emerged in the 1990s, using near infrared (NIR) sensors to detect living plant material and apply fertilizers at variable rates. Well-known systems like Fritzmeier Isaria, Trimble GreenSeeker, and Yara N-sensor have been widely used.
The need for spot spraying arose from the challenges faced by farmers in strip-till and no-till farming, such as weed control, soil moisture preservation, and herbicide-resistant weeds. Rometron upgraded its WEED-IT selective spraying system for pavements, while Trimble launched its WeedSeeker based on GreenSeeker technology for green-on-brown spot spraying. These systems have been in use for around 15 years, particularly in Australia, North and South America, and South Africa.
In recent years, image recognition cameras for weed detection and identification have become more advanced. Bosch and Bayer (now BASF) demonstrated their green-on-green spot spraying development at the Agritechnica exhibition in Germany. This technology, now known as One Smart Spray, will be seen on sprayers from brands like Agco (Fendt), Amazone, CNH, and Dammann starting in 2024.
Trimble’s acquisition of Bilberry in 2022 marked the first commercial offering of green-on-green camera-based spot spraying technology. This technology was made available on sprayers from brands like Agrifac, Berthoud, Dammann, and Goldacres in 2016. Other startups like Blue River Technology and Carbon Bee also entered the market around the same time. The acquisition of Blue River by John Deere further fueled interest in spot spraying among both startups and established sprayer manufacturers.
The list of companies involved in camera or sensor-based spot spraying is rapidly expanding. In addition to the ones mentioned, companies like Agtecnic, Augmenta, AutoWeed, DeepAgro, Dimensions Agri Technologies, Exxact Robotics (Exel Industries), Greeneye, PerPlant, Precision Planting, Smart Apply (now John Deere), Sprayer Mods, and Tillett and Hague are also developing their own technologies.
The adoption of spot spraying technology by major tractor manufacturers is a significant development in the agricultural industry. It not only highlights the growing demand for more precise and efficient spraying methods but also indicates the potential for further advancements in this field. With the use of advanced camera systems and artificial intelligence, farmers can target weeds more effectively, reduce the use of herbicides, and optimize the application of fertilizers. This technology has the potential to revolutionize farming practices and contribute to sustainable agriculture in the future.