Agroeconomia Croatica, Vol. 15 No. 2, 2025.
Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.69680/ac.15.2.2
Prototype of a Hoeing Robot for Non-Chemical Weed Control in Vegetable Production
Dragan Žnidarčič
; BC Naklo, Strahinj 99, 4202 Naklo, Slovenia
*
* Corresponding author.
Abstract
The study evaluated the effectiveness of a prototype hoeing robot (HR) for non-chemical weed control in vegetable production. A controlled greenhouse experiment was conducted at BC Naklo (Slovenia) on four plots (30 × 30 cm) sown with garden cress (Lepidium sativum) and radish (Raphanus sativus). Three plots were treated with robotic hoeing, while one served as a control. Results demonstrated a progressive reduction in weed density: effectiveness ranged from 53–88% after the first hoeing, increased to 90–97% after the second hoeing, and reached 100% elimination after the third hoeing across all plots. These findings confirm the strong potential of robotic hoeing as a sustainable alternative to manual labor and herbicide use, particularly in organic farming systems. From an economic perspective, HR reduces reliance on seasonal labor and lowers long-term production costs, thereby improving farm profitability.
Keywords
robotic hoeing, weed control, smart technologies
Hrčak ID:
345428
URI
Publication date:
28.12.2025.
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