DE102021203938A1 - Method of applying two different sprays to an agricultural area - Google Patents

Abstract

A method is proposed for applying two different sprays (26, 32) to an agricultural area using an agricultural spraying device which has a first spray circuit (20) with a first spray tank (24) and a first spray nozzle unit (28) and one of the first fluidically separate second spray medium circuit (22) with a second spray medium tank (30) and a second spray nozzle unit (34). The method has a step of providing a first spray agent (26) in the first spray agent tank (24) of the first spray agent circuit (20) of the spraying device, wherein the first spray agent (26) contains at least one plant protection agent (A, B) and comprises or consists of at least one selective, in particular foliar-acting, and/or at least one non-selective, in particular foliar-acting herbicide (C-F). The method also has a step of providing a second spray agent (32) in the second spray agent tank (30) of the second spray agent circuit (34) of the spray device (10), the second spray agent (32) containing at least one that is not contained in the first spray agent (26). , has or consists of a herbicide (G) that is selective for at least one defined weed, in particular that acts on the leaves. The method also has a step of applying the first spray (26) by means of the first spray nozzle unit (28) to field sections of the agricultural area and optionally in addition to the first spray (26) also the second spray (32) by means of the second spray nozzle unit (34). the field sections of the agricultural area depending on an occurrence of the at least one defined weed in the respective field sections.

Description

State of the art

The invention relates to a method for applying two different sprays to an agricultural area by means of an agricultural spraying device and a corresponding control unit and an agricultural spraying device for applying two different sprays to an agricultural area according to the species of the independent claims.

Modern plant protection equipment has the technical prerequisites for site-specific application of spray liquid. On the one hand, these technical requirements include the ability to switch individual nozzles or sections on and off, the ability to couple the nozzle or section control with an application map or a suitable sensor system, and the composition of the spray mixture by feeding in additional crop protection products via direct injection depending on the weed population to change. Such a sensor system can be a weed sensor, for example.

If the full-area application is carried out properly, each area of the field is treated with the target application rate (volume per area). The spray mixture is applied through a nozzle with defined properties to ensure the effectiveness of the crop protection agent (distribution, droplet size, adhesion to the site of action, ...). Appropriate prerequisites must also be ensured in the case of a site-specific application in order to ensure the effectiveness of the plant protection product.

With regard to weed composition, a basic distinction is made between 2 classes of plants: grasses (monocots) and weeds (dicots), which differ in terms of morphology and physiology (uptake of the active substance, transport to the site of action, metabolism/activation of the active substance, site of action of herbicides). Depending on the weed class and species, different (selective) herbicides can be used for effective treatment. With regard to the way in which a herbicide is taken up, a distinction is made between so-called soil herbicides (roots) and foliar herbicides (cultivars). While soil herbicides are applied preventively to weeds that have not yet fully emerged, foliar herbicides can only be absorbed via existing leaf mass. This requires that soil herbicides be applied over the entire area (and as a precaution/without indication) in the field, while foliar herbicides can be applied to a specific area depending on the weed occurrence.

Depending on the existing hardware on a crop protection device, different operating strategies or application logics result from the requirements of the different areas.

the DE 10 2017 210 804 A1 discloses a method of applying a spray to a field, wherein the spray is applied to a defined weed area as a function of a degree of coverage.

Disclosure of Invention

• - Bereitstellen eines ersten Spritzmittels in dem ersten Spritzmitteltank des ersten Spritzmittelkreislaufs der Spritzvorrichtung, wobei das erste Spritzmittel zumindest ein vollflächig auszubringendes, insbesondere bodenwirksames Pflanzenschutzmittel und zumindest ein selektives, insbesondere blattwirksames, und/oder zumindest ein nicht-selektives, insbesondere blattwirksames Herbizid aufweist oder daraus besteht;
• - Bereitstellen eines zweiten Spritzmittels in dem zweiten Spritzmitteltank des zweiten Spritzmittelkreislaufs der Spritzvorrichtung, wobei das zweite Spritzmittel zumindest ein im ersten Spritzmittel nicht enthaltenes, für zumindest ein definiertes Unkraut selektives, insbesondere blattwirksames Herbizid aufweist oder daraus besteht; und
• - Ausbringen (des ersten Spritzmittels mittels der ersten Spritzdüseneinheit auf Feldabschnitte der landwirtschaftlichen Fläche und gegebenenfalls zusätzlich zum ersten Spritzmittel ferner des zweiten Spritzmittels mittels der zweiten Spritzdüseneinheit auf die Feldabschnitte der landwirtschaftlichen Fläche in Abhängigkeit von einem Vorkommen des zumindest einen definierten Unkrauts in den jeweiligen Feldabschnitten.

The subject matter of the present invention is a method for applying two different sprays to an agricultural area by means of an agricultural spraying device which has a first spray circuit with a first spray tank and a first spray nozzle unit and a second spray circuit which is fluidically separate from the first and has a second spray tank and a second spray nozzle unit has, with the steps:

• - Provision of a first spray agent in the first spray agent tank of the first spray agent circuit of the spray device, wherein the first spray agent has or consists of at least one plant protection agent that is to be applied over the entire surface, in particular that acts on the soil, and at least one selective, in particular, foliar-acting herbicide and/or at least one non-selective, in particular, foliar-acting herbicide consists;
• - Providing a second spray agent in the second spray agent tank of the second spray agent circuit of the spray device, wherein the second spray agent has or consists of at least one herbicide that is not contained in the first spray agent and is selective for at least one defined weed, in particular a foliar herbicide; and
• - Application (of the first spray by means of the first spray nozzle unit to field sections of the agricultural area and, if necessary, in addition to the first spray also of the second spray by means of the second spray nozzle unit to the field sections of the agricultural area, depending on an occurrence of the at least one defined weed in the respective field sections.

• - Empfangen von Bildinformationen, welche mittels einer optischen Erfassungseinheit einer landwirtschaftlichen Spritzvorrichtung erfasste Feldabschnitte einer landwirtschaftlichen Fläche repräsentieren;
• - Identifizieren zumindest eines definierten Unkrauts in den erfassten Feldabschnitten unter Verwendung der Bildinformationen; und
• - Ausgeben eines Steuersignals
  • o an eine erste Spritzdüseneinheit der landwirtschaftlichen Spritzvorrichtung unabhängig von dem Schritt des Identifizierens des zumindest einen definierten Unkrauts, um ein erstes Spritzmittel aus einem ersten Spritzmitteltank über einen ersten Spritzmittelkreislauf der landwirtschaftlichen Spritzvorrichtung unabhängig von einem Vorkommen des zumindest einen definierten Unkrauts auf die erfassten Feldabschnitte auszubringen, wobei das erste Spritzmittel zumindest ein vollflächig auszubringendes, insbesondere bodenwirksames Pflanzenschutzmittel und zumindest ein selektives, insbesondere blattwirksames, und/oder zumindest ein nicht-selektives, insbesondere blattwirksames Herbizid aufweist oder daraus besteht; und
  • o gegebenenfalls an eine zweite Spritzdüseneinheit der landwirtschaftlichen Spritzvorrichtung in Abhängigkeit von der Identifizierung zumindest eines des zumindest einen definierten Unkrauts, um zusätzlich zum ersten Spritzmittel ferner ein zweites Spritzmittel aus einem zweiten Spritzmitteltank über einen von dem ersten fluidisch getrennten zweiten Spritzmittelkreislauf der landwirtschaftlichen Spritzvorrichtung auf den jeweiligen erfassten Feldabschnitt auszubringen, wobei das zweite Spritzmittel zumindest ein im ersten Spritzmittel nicht enthaltenes, für zumindest ein definiertes Unkraut selektives, insbesondere blattwirksames Herbizid aufweist oder daraus besteht.

The subject matter of the present invention is also a control unit that is set up to carry out the following steps:

• - Receiving of image information, which is detected by means of an optical detection unit of an agricultural spraying device represent field sections of an agricultural area;
• - Identifying at least one defined weed in the detected field sections using the image information; and
• - Outputting a control signal
  • o to a first spray nozzle unit of the agricultural spray device, independently of the step of identifying the at least one defined weed, in order to apply a first spray agent from a first spray agent tank via a first spray agent circuit of the agricultural spray device, independently of an occurrence of the at least one defined weed on the detected field sections, wherein the first spraying agent has or consists of at least one plant protection agent that is to be applied over the entire surface, in particular that acts on the soil, and at least one selective, in particular, foliar-acting herbicide and/or at least one non-selective, in particular, foliar-acting herbicide; and
  • o optionally to a second spray nozzle unit of the agricultural spray device depending on the identification of at least one of the at least one defined weeds, in order to, in addition to the first spray, also apply a second spray from a second spray tank via a second spray circuit of the agricultural spray device that is fluidically separate from the first to the respective applied to the field section covered, the second spray agent having or consisting of at least one herbicide which is not contained in the first spray agent and which is selective for at least one defined weed and in particular has a foliar effect.

• - einem ersten Spritzmittelkreislauf aufweisend einen ersten Spritzmitteltank und eine erste Spritzdüseneinheit;
• - einem von dem ersten fluidisch getrennten zweiten Spritzmittelkreislauf aufweisend einen zweiten Spritzmitteltank und eine zweite Spritzdüseneinheit;
• - einer optischen Erfassungseinheit zum Erfassen von Feldabschnitten der landwirtschaftlichen Fläche; und
• - einer vorhergehend beschriebenen Steuereinheit.

The subject of the present invention is also an agricultural spraying device for applying two different spraying agents to an agricultural area

• - A first spray circuit having a first spray tank and a first spray nozzle unit;
• - A fluidically separate from the first second spray agent circuit having a second spray agent tank and a second spray nozzle unit;
• - An optical detection unit for detecting field sections of the agricultural area; and
• - a previously described control unit.

Finally, the subject matter of the present invention is a computer program that is set up to execute and/or control the steps of a previously described control unit when the computer program is executed on a computer, and a machine-readable storage medium with the computer program stored thereon.

The method according to the invention is intended for agricultural spraying devices having two fluidically separate spraying agent circuits, each with a circuit-specific spraying agent tank and a circuit-specific spray nozzle unit. The method according to the invention provides an operating strategy adapted to the detection performance of plants (degree of classification) and the existing hardware with optimized spray agent distribution in the two spray agent tanks in order to achieve both high effectiveness and high spray agent savings. The detection performance can be limited, for example, to the identification or classification of just a defined weed or just a defined group of weeds.

The method is intended for, but not limited to, agricultural purposes. In the context of the present invention, an agricultural purpose can be understood to mean a purpose which is aimed at the economic cultivation of useful plants.

In this case, the spraying agent is applied to an agricultural area or an area used for agriculture. This can be understood to mean a field or an area under cultivation for plants or also a parcel of such an area under cultivation. The agricultural area can thus be arable land, grassland or pasture. The plants can include, for example, crop plants or useful plants whose fruit is used agriculturally (for example as food, animal feed or as an energy crop) and weeds, weeds and grass weeds.

The application of the sprays takes place during one, i.e. the same treatment process of the agricultural area.

All steps of the method are preferably carried out during a movement, in particular a drive or a flight of the agricultural spraying device over the agricultural area.

Advantageously, the agricultural sprayer is designed, the method auto automated and/or autonomous to allow fast, reliable and efficient treatment of the agricultural land.

The agricultural spraying device can in particular be part of an agricultural field sprayer or a crop protection device or be designed as an agricultural field sprayer or a crop protection device. The agricultural spraying device can comprise a mobile unit or be arranged on a mobile unit, wherein the mobile unit can be designed in particular as a land vehicle and/or aircraft and/or trailer. The mobile unit can in particular be an agricultural working machine, for example a tractor, a tractor, a self-propelled or autonomous field sprayer or a self-propelled or autonomous robot. The agricultural spraying device can in particular be a towed field sprayer, a self-propelled field sprayer or a mounted field sprayer. The agricultural spray device can also be attached to a hydraulic device of an agricultural working machine. It is also conceivable that the agricultural spraying device is installed on a loading area of an agricultural working machine. Alternatively, the spray device can be attached to the agricultural working machine.

The agricultural spray device has a first spray medium circuit for dispensing a first spray medium and a second spray medium circuit, which is fluidically separate from the first, for dispensing a second spray medium. That is, in other words, that the agricultural spray device has two fluidically separate spray agent circuits for applying two different spray agents. Accordingly, the two spray agent circuits are designed in such a way that there is no mixing or no contact of the two spray agents within the spray agent circuits.

The first spray agent circuit has a circuit-specific first spray agent tank for the first spray agent and a circuit-specific first spray nozzle unit for dispensing the first spray agent. Understandably, the first spray agent circuit also has a corresponding first line system. The second spray agent circuit has a circuit-specific second spray agent tank for the second spray agent and a circuit-specific second spray nozzle unit for dispensing the second spray agent. Understandably, the second spray agent circuit also has a corresponding second line system. The first spray medium circuit and the second spray medium circuit can be configured or constructed essentially the same.

The spray nozzle units are designed to be controllable or operable. In this case, the spray nozzle units each have at least one spray nozzle, but preferably a large number of spray nozzles and at least one valve, preferably a valve assigned to each spray nozzle, for controlling or regulating the amount of spray agent applied. The valves can be arranged or integrated in the spray nozzles. However, the valves can also be arranged upstream of the spray nozzles, i.e. (in the direction of flow of the spray agent) upstream of the spray nozzles. However, the spray nozzle units can also have several spray nozzles, each with an upstream valve. However, the spray nozzle units can also have several spray nozzles with only one valve upstream of the spray nozzles, so that when the valve is actuated, the spray agent is applied by means of several spray nozzles of the respective spray nozzle unit. The valves can be designed, for example, as pulse width modulated valves (PWM valves) or as proportional valves. The spray nozzles of each spray nozzle unit can be controlled individually or separately and/or in defined groups or associations and/or all together.

One spray nozzle of the two spray nozzle units preferably forms a spray nozzle pair, with the spray nozzles of a spray nozzle pair being designed to apply the respective spray agent to the same field section or to treat the same field section with the respective spray agent during the treatment of the agricultural area. In this case, the spray nozzles of a pair of spray nozzles are preferably arranged next to one another, in particular one behind the other or next to one another in the direction of movement of the agricultural spraying device.

At least one pair of spray nozzles can be assigned to each row of field sections (=field sections along the direction of movement or travel). For example, exactly one pair of spray nozzles or exactly two adjacent pairs of spray nozzles can be assigned to each row of field sections in order to treat them.

The application of the spray can be carried out in particular by means of at least one delivery unit of the agricultural spray device. In this case, the delivery unit can be designed to deliver or direct a liquid under pressure, in particular to meter it. Accordingly, the delivery unit can include, for example, one/one or more pumps, delivery pumps, dosing pumps, pressure accumulators, screw conveyors, valves, diaphragms, etc.

The agricultural spraying device can have an optical detection unit for detecting field sections of the agricultural area in order to obtain image information for identifying the at least one defined weed. The optical detection unit is preferably arranged on the agricultural spraying device. The optical detection unit can have at least one, preferably several cameras, the cameras can be selected from the group consisting of: multispectral and/or hyperspectral and/or infrared and/or camera and/or 3D camera. The optical detection unit can be designed to detect or record images in the NIR and/or visual range. The optical detection unit can have a light or lighting unit. The cameras can be designed to communicate with one another. A camera can be assigned to each row of field sections. However, it is also conceivable for an optical detection unit to detect field sections of two or more rows of field sections.

The spray nozzle units and the optical detection unit are preferably arranged on a spray boom of the agricultural spray device.

The detected field section can be a detection section or a detected image section of an optical detection unit. The field section that is detected is preferably the entire field section that is detected in the field of view of the optical detection unit.

The image information is preferably an image or image of the detected field section.

The two sprays are in particular spray liquids. The spray liquids can be designed, for example, as: liquid, suspension, emulsion, solution or a combination thereof. The spray liquids are preferably diluted with water. The spray liquids can be, for example, agricultural spray mixtures.

The first spray has or consists of at least one crop protection agent to be applied over the entire area and at least one selective herbicide to be applied over the entire area and/or at least one non-selective herbicide to be applied over the entire area. The plant protection agent to be applied over the entire area is preferably a soil-acting plant protection agent.

The plant protection agent that is to be applied over the entire surface, in particular that acts on the soil, can be selected from the group consisting of: insecticide, fungicide, herbicide that acts on the soil, non-specific, broadly effective herbicide, total herbicide, or combinations thereof. The selective herbicide is preferably a foliar herbicide. The selective herbicide can be selected from the group consisting of: selective primarily foliar herbicides against weeds or against grasses or against certain weed species (e.g. thistles) or combinations thereof. The non-selective herbicide is also preferably a foliar herbicide. The non-selective herbicide can be selected from the group consisting of: total herbicides or non-specifically broad-acting herbicides or combinations thereof.

The first spray can also contain a fertilizer, in particular a fertilizer concentrate, and/or a growth regulator and/or an insecticide and/or a fungicide and/or another active agent.

The second spray has at least one herbicide that is not contained in the first spray and is selective for at least one defined weed or consists of it. The selective herbicide is preferably a foliar herbicide. The herbicide of the second spray is preferably selective for a defined group of weeds. The herbicide that is selective for the defined weed or the defined group of weeds can be selected from the group consisting of: selective primarily foliar-acting herbicides against weeds or against grasses or against certain types of weeds, e.g. Thistles (unless one is already contained in spray agent) or combinations from it.

The second spray can also contain a fertilizer, in particular a fertilizer concentrate, and/or a growth regulator and/or an insecticide and/or a fungicide and/or another active ingredient.

In the application step, the first spray is applied using the first spray nozzle unit and, if necessary, in addition to the first spray, the second spray is also applied using the second spray nozzle unit to field sections of the agricultural area, which were detected in particular by the optical detection unit (so that all field sections of the field are treated ). The "spraying decision" is made depending on an occurrence of the at least one defined weed in the respective field sections.

Depending on the number of spray nozzles assigned to the rows of field sections, the corresponding spray agent is preferably applied to the entire field section. The field sections or areas on which spray is applied are also referred to below as sprayed or treated field sections.

A step of identifying the at least one defined weed in the recorded field sections using the corresponding image information by means of a control unit, in particular the agricultural spraying device, is preferred. Here, the step of identifying preferably includes a step of classifying the identified weeds. The step of identifying may further include a step of identifying plant material.

The step of identifying can include detecting a color component, in particular a green color component and/or an infrared component in the field section or the image information. Plants can be detected by means of the optical detection unit, e.g. using a predetermined NDVI value (Normalized Differenced Vegetation Index, it is formed from reflection values in the near infrared and visible red wavelength range of the light spectrum), by removing biomass or vital plants and plant parts from the ground is distinguished.

Alternatively or additionally, however, a step of reading out and/or receiving corresponding position information of the at least one defined weed in relation to the agricultural area can also be provided.

The first spray is preferably applied independently of the occurrence and/or the identification of the at least one defined weed. Alternatively or additionally, the second spray is preferably applied when at least one of the at least one defined weed occurs and/or is identified. However, a threshold value above 1 can also be specified here, at which the second spray agent is additionally applied.

This embodiment can advantageously be implemented using an optical detection unit and a computing unit, which are designed to identify and classify only the at least one defined weed or only the defined group of weeds.

A field section or the image information of a field section can have several separate image evaluation areas in which the defined weeds are identified. The number of image evaluation areas per image information can depend on the distance between the spray nozzles and the width of the image information. Each image evaluation area can be assigned to one or more pairs of spray nozzles. For example, with an image information width of 1.5m and a spray nozzle spacing of 0.25m, 6 image evaluation areas would be provided per camera.

The sprays are preferably applied essentially uniformly to the field sections. In the context of the present invention, uniform application can be understood as application with the same or constant predefined application quantity per area. A predefined application quantity can be understood to mean an application quantity specified in advance or at the beginning of the treatment. The defined application rate can be preset or can be entered in advance.

The method steps of detecting the field sections, identifying the at least one defined weed and applying the spray are, of course, carried out repeatedly. In this case, the steps of detecting the field sections are preferably carried out or carried out repeatedly in a defined, in particular fixed time interval or in a time interval that is adapted to the driving speed of the agricultural spraying device. That means, in other words, that the field sections are recorded with a defined or a speed-dependent repetition rate.

The control unit can have an arithmetic unit or a large number of arithmetic units for processing signals or data, at least one memory unit for storing signals or data, at least one communication interface for reading in data, in particular for receiving image information and for outputting data, in particular control signals to a Unit, in particular an actuator include. A processing unit can be assigned to each optical detection unit or camera, or each optical detection unit or camera can have its own processing unit. The arithmetic unit is or the arithmetic units are designed or set up for image processing, so that it/they can carry out calculation steps or image processing steps for carrying out the method according to the invention. Accordingly, each computing unit has corresponding image processing software. The arithmetic unit can be a signal processor, a microcontroller or the like, for example, while the storage unit can be a flash memory, an EPROM or a magnetic storage unit. The communication interface can be designed to read in or output data wirelessly and/or by wire, with a communication interface that can read in or output wire-bound data sending this data, for example, electrically or optically from a corresponding data transmission line device read or can output in a corresponding data transmission line.

Accordingly, the method according to the invention can be implemented, for example, in software or hardware or in a mixed form of software and hardware in the control unit or a control device.

The control unit can be arranged completely or partially on or integrated into the agricultural spraying device. However, the control unit can also be completely or partially external, for example integrated in a cloud.

character list

• 1 eine schematische Darstellung einer landwirtschaftlichen Spritzvorrichtung;
• 2 eine schematische Detailansicht von zwei Spritzmittelkreisläufen;
• 3 eine Bildinformation mit identifizierten Unkräutern einer definierten Unkrautgruppe gemäß einer erfindungsgemäßen Ausgestaltung; und
• 4 ein Ablaufdiagramm eines Verfahrens.

The invention is explained in more detail below by way of example with reference to the attached drawings. Show it:

• 1 a schematic representation of an agricultural sprayer;
• 2 a schematic detailed view of two spray circuits;
• 3 an item of image information with identified weeds of a defined weed group according to an embodiment of the invention; and
• 4 a flowchart of a method.

In the following description of preferred exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the same or similar reference symbols are used for the elements which are shown in the various figures and have a similar effect, with a repeated description of the elements being dispensed with.

In 1 1 is a schematic representation of an agricultural sprayer, which is provided with the reference numeral 10 in its entirety.

The agricultural spraying device 10 is designed as a field sprayer 10 . The field sprayer 10 is arranged on a mobile land vehicle 12 which is designed as a towing vehicle 12 or tractor 12 .

The agricultural spray device 10 is designed to apply two different sprays to an agricultural area 14 with crops 16 and weeds 18 . For this purpose, the agricultural spray device 10 has two spray agent circuits 20, 22, which 2 shown in more detail and described in more detail below.

The first spray agent circuit 20 has a first spray agent tank 24 with a first spray agent 26 and a first spray nozzle unit 28 for dispensing the first spray agent 26 . Analogously, the second spray agent circuit 22 has a second spray agent tank 30 with a second spray agent 32 and a second spray nozzle unit 34 for dispensing the second spray agent 32 .

The two spray nozzle units 28, 34 each have a plurality of spray nozzles 38, 40 spaced apart in the longitudinal direction on a spray boom 36. A spray nozzle 38 of the first spray nozzle unit 28 and a spray nozzle 40 of the second spray nozzle unit 34 form a spray nozzle pair 42, with the spray nozzles 38, 40 of a spray nozzle pair 42 being arranged adjacent and one behind the other in the direction of movement of the agricultural spraying device 10.

According to the invention, the first spray means 26 consists of two soil-active plant protection agents A, B to be applied over the entire area and four selective and/or non-selective foliar herbicides C-F. Furthermore, according to the invention, the second spray means 32 consists of a foliar herbicide G, which is not contained in the first spray means 26 and is selective for a defined group of weeds 18.

The agricultural spraying device 10 also has an optical detection unit 44 for detecting field sections of the agricultural area 14 in order to obtain image information for identifying the at least one defined weed 18 or a defined group of weeds 18 . The optical detection unit 44 has a multiplicity of optical cameras 46 which are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction on the spray boom 36 . The optical cameras 46 each include a filter unit in order to extract a color component, such as the green color component, from received or captured image information or a captured image in order to capture weeds 18 .

The agricultural sprayer 10 also includes a control unit (not shown) connected to the optical cameras 46 to receive information therefrom. The control unit has a large number of computing units, each of which is assigned to an optical camera 46 and is also designed to carry out calculation steps or image processing steps for carrying out the method according to the invention, in particular to identify the at least one defined weed 18 using the image information from the corresponding optical camera 46 . The control unit is also designed to output a control signal in such a way that the first spraying agent 26 is applied independently of the occurrence and/or the identification of the at least one defined weed 18. The control unit is also designed to output a control signal depending on the identification of at least one of the at least one defined weed 18 in such a way that the second spray agent 32 is applied accordingly.

3 12 shows an embodiment in which the optical cameras 46 and the associated computing units are designed to identify or classify only a defined group of weeds 18 .

4 shows a flow chart of a method 100 for applying two different spray agents 26, 32 to an agricultural area 14 by means of an agricultural spray device 10, which has a first spray agent circuit 20 with a first spray agent tank 24 and a first spray nozzle unit 28 and a second spray agent circuit 22 that is fluidically separate from the first having a second spray tank 30 and a second spray nozzle unit 34 . The method comprises a step of providing 102 a first spray agent 26 in the first spray agent tank 24 of the first spray agent circuit 20 of the spraying device 10, the first spray agent 26 being at least one plant protection agent A, B, in particular one that acts on the soil, to be applied over the entire surface and at least one selective plant protection agent, in particular one that acts on the leaves, and /or has or consists of at least one non-selective, in particular foliar-acting herbicide CF. The method 100 further comprises a step of providing 104 a second spray agent 32 in the second spray agent tank 30 of the second spray agent circuit 34 of the spraying device 10, wherein the second spray agent 32 is at least one that is not contained in the first spray agent 26 and is selective for at least one defined weed 18, in particular comprises or consists of foliar herbicide G. The method 100 also includes a step of detecting 106 the field sections of the agricultural area 14 using an optical detection unit 44 of the agricultural spraying device 10 in order to obtain image information for identifying the at least one defined weed 18 in each case. Method 100 also includes a step of identifying 108 the at least one defined weed 18 in the detected field sections using the corresponding image information by means of a control unit, in particular agricultural spraying device 10. Finally, method 100 includes a step of applying 110 the first spray agent 26 by means of the first spray nozzle unit 28 on field sections of the agricultural area 14 and optionally in addition to the first spray means 26 also the second spray means 32 by means of the second spray nozzle unit 34 on the field sections of the agricultural area 14 depending on an occurrence of the at least one defined weed 18 in the respective field sections .

If an embodiment includes an "and/or" link between a first feature and a second feature, this should be read in such a way that the embodiment according to one embodiment includes both the first feature and the second feature and according to a further embodiment either only that having the first feature or only the second feature.

QUOTES INCLUDED IN DESCRIPTION

This list of documents cited by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent Literature Cited

• DE 102017210804 A1 [0006]

Claims (11)

Method (100) for applying two different sprays (26, 32) to an agricultural area (14) using an agricultural spraying device (10) which has a first spray circuit (20) with a first spray tank (24) and a first spray nozzle unit (28) and a second spray medium circuit (22) which is fluidically separate from the first and has a second spray medium tank (30) and a second spray nozzle unit (34), with the steps: - Providing (102) a first spray agent (26) in the first spray agent tank (24) of the first spray agent circuit (20) of the spraying device (10), wherein the first spray agent (26) comprises at least one plant protection agent (A, B) that is particularly effective on the soil and is to be applied over the entire surface. and comprises or consists of at least one selective, in particular foliar-acting, and/or at least one non-selective, in particular foliar-acting herbicide (C-F); - Providing (104) a second spray agent (32) in the second spray agent tank (30) of the second spray agent circuit (34) of the spraying device (10), the second spray agent (32) containing at least one agent not contained in the first spray agent (26) for at least a defined weed (18) has selective, in particular foliar herbicide (G) or consists thereof; and - Application (110) of the first spray (26) by means of the first spray nozzle unit (28) on field sections of the agricultural area (14) and optionally in addition to the first spray (26) also of the second spray (32) by means of the second spray nozzle unit (34). the field sections of the agricultural area (14) depending on an occurrence of the at least one defined weed (18) in the respective field sections. Method (100) according to claim 1 , characterized by a step of detecting (106) the field sections of the agricultural area (14) by means of an optical detection unit (44) of the agricultural spraying device (10) in order to obtain image information for identifying the at least one defined weed (18). Method (100) according to claim 1 or 2 , characterized by a step of identifying (108) the at least one defined weed (18) in the recorded field sections using the corresponding image information by means of a control unit, in particular the agricultural spraying device (10), and/or a step of reading out and/or receiving corresponding position information of the at least one defined weed (18) with respect to the agricultural area (14). Method (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the application step (110) the first spray (26) is applied independently of the occurrence and/or the identification of the at least one defined weed (18). Method (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the application step (110) the second spray agent (32) is applied when at least one of the at least one defined weeds (18) occurs and/or is identified. Method (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the herbicide (G) of the second spray agent (32) is selective for a defined group of weeds (18). Control unit which is set up to carry out the following steps: - receiving image information which represents field sections of an agricultural area (14) detected by means of an optical detection unit (44) of an agricultural spraying device (10); - Identifying (108) at least one defined weed (18) in the detected field sections using the image information; and - outputting a control signal o to a first spray nozzle unit (28) of the agricultural spray device (10) independently of the step of identifying (108) the at least one defined weed (18) in order to draw a first spray (26) from a first spray tank (24 ) via a first spray circuit (20) of the agricultural spray device (10) to be applied to the detected field sections independently of the presence of the at least one defined weed (18), the first spray (26) being at least one plant protection product (A, B) and comprises or consists of at least one selective, in particular foliar-acting, and/or at least one non-selective, in particular foliar-acting herbicide (CF); and o optionally to a second spray nozzle unit (34) of the agricultural spray device (10), depending on the identification of at least one of the at least one defined weeds (18), in order to additionally spray a second spray means (34) from a second Spraying medium tank (30) via a second spraying medium circuit (22) of the agricultural spraying device (10), which is fluidically separate from the first, on the respective detected field section gene, wherein the second spray (32) comprises or consists of at least one herbicide (G) which is not contained in the first spray (26) and is selective for at least one defined weed (18), in particular having a foliar effect. Agricultural spray device (10) for applying two different sprays (26, 32) to an agricultural area (14) with - a first spray circuit (20) having a first spray tank (24) and a first spray nozzle unit (28); - A fluidically separate from the first second spray medium circuit (22) having a second spray medium tank (30) and a second spray nozzle unit (34); - An optical detection unit (44) for detecting field sections of the agricultural area (14); and - a control unit claim 7 . Agricultural sprayer (10) after claim 8 , characterized in that in each case one spray nozzle (38, 40) of the two spray nozzle units (28, 34) forms a spray nozzle pair (42), the spray nozzles (38, 40) of a spray nozzle pair (42) being formed, the respective spray means (26, 32) on the same section of the field. Computer program designed to follow the steps of a control unit claim 7 to execute and/or control when the computer program is run on a computer. Machine-readable storage medium with the computer program stored on it claim 10 .

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