More sustainable, more efficient, more future-proof: photonic applications can help to modernize the agricultural industry. The Laser Zentrum Hannover LZH and Niedersachsen ADDITIV presented ideas for this at Agritechnica in Hanover from November 12 to 18, 2023.
The focus was on light-based pest and weed control with lasers and additive manufacturing. Laser technology can be used to treat weeds precisely and selectively. The laser beam can hit sensitive plant parts in a very targeted manner so that unwanted plants are lethally damaged or inhibited in their growth - the crops in the immediate vicinity are not affected. The process is not only more ecologically sustainable than the use of chemical pesticides. It also makes an important contribution to preventing herbicide resistance, one of the most pressing challenges facing modern agriculture.
The laser treatment is controlled using artificial intelligence (AI): image recognition is used to differentiate between crops and weeds and determine the target points for the laser. The LZH also relies on AI-supported laser technology for pest control. The LichtFalle is an autonomous system that attracts insects using an LED light surface and then destroys them with a laser. An integrated camera module uses image data to automatically detect whether an insect is a pest or a beneficial insect - thanks to live monitoring, the user receives a digital decision-making aid for the use of pesticides. Light-based pest control can thus reduce the use of chemical agents and enable more efficient and resource-saving food production.
There are many opportunities for agriculture to benefit from additive manufacturing. For example, spare parts for agricultural machinery can be produced quickly using 3D printers. Heavily stressed equipment and components can be repaired or protected against wear using build-up welding. At Agritechnica, the Niedersachsen ADDITIV project team will be showing concrete examples of how 3D printing can create real added value in the agricultural sector.
