The present invention is a mechanical technology that kills parasitic pests, harmful bacteria and weed seeds in the soil by using high-temperature steam while moving forward by using a caterpillar with a self-powered device in order to smoothly perform the eco-friendly high-temperature steam soil disinfection in all types of soils, such as clays and sandy soils, having suitable moisture content; a mechanical technology in which the steam boiler is operated with power of an A/C generator to produce steam the steam is supplied to the re-heater installed on an upper portion of a nozzle through a high-pressure steam hose to increase the steam temperature to reheat the steam with high-temperature dry steam, thereby increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of high-temperature steam soil disinfection, and a saw blade type crusher is activated with the pre-generated electrical energy to crush and soften the soil, so that the high-temperature steam sprayed from the steam outlet of the nozzle protected by the needle rod penetrates into the soil within a short time, and the high-temperature steam is covered with a cover to become banded steam so as to be prevented from escaping to the outside, thereby increasing the instantaneous temperature of the soil; a mechanical technology that conducts disinfection work while checking all directions of the high-temperature steam soil sterilizer with a video monitor in a cockpit; and a researched and developed mechanical technology in which multi-level thermometers installed on the needle rod is monitored through a temperature monitor in the cockpit, so that the killing temperature of pests, harmful bacteria, and weed seeds is analyzed while watching a status of the temperature of the heated soil.

The present invention is a mechanical technology that kills parasitic pests, harmful bacteria and weed seeds in the soil by using high-temperature steam while moving forward by using a caterpillar with a self-powered device in order to smoothly perform the eco-friendly high-temperature steam soil disinfection in all types of soils, such as clays and sandy soils, having suitable moisture content; a mechanical technology in which the steam boiler is operated with power of an A/C generator to produce steam the steam is supplied to the re-heater installed on an upper portion of a nozzle through a high-pressure steam hose to increase the steam temperature to reheat the steam with high-temperature dry steam, thereby increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of high-temperature steam soil disinfection, and a saw blade type crusher is activated with the pre-generated electrical energy to crush and soften the soil, so that the high-temperature steam sprayed from the steam outlet of the nozzle protected by the needle rod penetrates into the soil within a short time, and the high-temperature steam is covered with a cover to become banded steam so as to be prevented from escaping to the outside, thereby increasing the instantaneous temperature of the soil; a mechanical technology that conducts disinfection work while checking all directions of the high-temperature steam soil sterilizer with a video monitor in a cockpit; and a researched and developed mechanical technology in which multi-level thermometers installed on the needle rod is monitored through a temperature monitor in the cockpit, so that the killing temperature of pests, harmful bacteria, and weed seeds is analyzed while watching a status of the temperature of the heated soil.

Plant eradication and stressing of plants using illumination signaling where a short-time dual component, low energy, unnatural set of irradiances is applied, with no mutagenic or high radiative energy transfers in any wavelength for eradication by substantial high temperature thermally-induced leaf and plant component failure or incineration. An Indigo Region Illumination Distribution of wavelength 300 nm to 550 nm is directed to plant foliage and/or a plant root crown, while infrared radiation that is substantially Medium Wavelength Infrared radiation of 2-20 microns wavelength, 2.4-8.0 microns preferred, is directed to a plant root crown and/or soil immediately adjacent the root crown. The Indigo Region Illumination Distribution can pass through the MWIR emitter to form a compact illuminator. The MWIR emitter can comprise borosilicate glass at 400° F. to 1000° F.

Plant eradication and stressing of plants using illumination signaling where a short-time dual component, low energy, unnatural set of irradiances is applied, with no mutagenic or high radiative energy transfers in any wavelength for eradication by substantial high temperature thermally-induced leaf and plant component failure or incineration. An Indigo Region Illumination Distribution of wavelength 300 nm to 550 nm is directed to plant foliage and/or a plant root crown, while infrared radiation that is substantially Medium Wavelength Infrared radiation of 2-20 microns wavelength, 2.4-8.0 microns preferred, is directed to a plant root crown and/or soil immediately adjacent the root crown. The Indigo Region Illumination Distribution can pass through the MWIR emitter to form a compact illuminator. The MWIR emitter can comprise borosilicate glass at 400° F. to 1000° F.

A mobile microwave system and method for controlling the growth of weeds present in soils, such as those of agricultural fields includes a microwave unit having a microwave generator for generating microwaves within a frequency range suitable for controlling weed growth. A phased array antenna system includes a plurality of antenna elements for emitting a focused microwave beam within a target area. At least one controllable phase shifter is coupled between the microwave unit and the plurality of antenna elements. The phase shifter is configured for shifting a microwave phase of a part of the microwaves in order to adjust a direction of the emitted microwave beam. The microwave beam direction is steerable to align the target area with a position of a target weed plant. The system is mountable to a vehicle or includes a drive for moving the system.

A mobile microwave system and method for controlling the growth of weeds present in soils, such as those of agricultural fields includes a microwave unit having a microwave generator for generating microwaves within a frequency range suitable for controlling weed growth. A phased array antenna system includes a plurality of antenna elements for emitting a focused microwave beam within a target area. At least one controllable phase shifter is coupled between the microwave unit and the plurality of antenna elements. The phase shifter is configured for shifting a microwave phase of a part of the microwaves in order to adjust a direction of the emitted microwave beam. The microwave beam direction is steerable to align the target area with a position of a target weed plant. The system is mountable to a vehicle or includes a drive for moving the system.

Electrical apparatus to kill a plant or at least attenuate plant growth, the apparatus comprising: an electrical energy supply unit; an applicator unit comprising an applicator electrode; a return unit comprising a return electrode; electrical circuitry; the electrical energy supply unit arranged to apply electrical energy through a transmission circuit comprising the applicator electrode, a plant, and the return electrode, the electrical circuitry implemented to: determine if a temperature of the apparatus has crossed a temperature threshold, and; determine if one or more electrical properties of the electrical energy has crossed an associated electrical property threshold(s); and if either the temperature or the one or more electrical properties has crossed the respective temperature threshold or electrical property thresholds, then to control one or more electrical properties of the of the electrical energy to reduce the temperature and/or electrical property that has exceeded the threshold.

An apparatus for controlling weeds, which includes a tine formation adapted to remove or disrupt targeted weeds, and a tine support assembly adapted to support the tine for movement about a first control axis in a generally vertical direction between an engaged position wherein the tine formation in use contacts a ground surface for removal or disruption of targeted weeds and a disengaged position wherein the tine formation is substantially retracted from the ground surface. The tine support assembly is further adapted to support the tine for movement about a second control axis in a generally horizontal direction. The tine support assembly further includes a first actuation mechanism adapted to effect movement of the tine about the first control axis, and a second actuation mechanism adapted to effect movement of the tine about the second control axis. The apparatus also includes a sensing system for sensing aspects of an environment and generating data indicative thereof, and a classification system for identifying target weeds within the environment on the basis of the data from the sensing system. A control system is adapted to activate the first and second actuation mechanisms of the tine support assembly in accordance with a predetermined control logic thereby sequentially to position the tine for disruptive contact with the targeted weeds.

An apparatus for controlling weeds, which includes a tine formation adapted to remove or disrupt targeted weeds, and a tine support assembly adapted to support the tine for movement about a first control axis in a generally vertical direction between an engaged position wherein the tine formation in use contacts a ground surface for removal or disruption of targeted weeds and a disengaged position wherein the tine formation is substantially retracted from the ground surface. The tine support assembly is further adapted to support the tine for movement about a second control axis in a generally horizontal direction. The tine support assembly further includes a first actuation mechanism adapted to effect movement of the tine about the first control axis, and a second actuation mechanism adapted to effect movement of the tine about the second control axis. The apparatus also includes a sensing system for sensing aspects of an environment and generating data indicative thereof, and a classification system for identifying target weeds within the environment on the basis of the data from the sensing system. A control system is adapted to activate the first and second actuation mechanisms of the tine support assembly in accordance with a predetermined control logic thereby sequentially to position the tine for disruptive contact with the targeted weeds.

The present disclosure is directed to a method for applying an agrochemical to an agricultural area of interest based on information generated from a remote sensing survey. A remote sensing survey is performed within or adjacent to the agricultural area of interest wherein the survey generates remotely sensed data. The remotely sensed data can be analyzed and/or interpreted to determine whether to apply an agrochemical based on an insect presence within or adjacent to the agricultural area of interest.