Scientists developing laser robot that can zap weeds without using pesticides

A team of researchers from the Institute of Geodesy and Geoinformation at the University of Bonn in Germany are currently developing a robotic tool that readily identifies weeds and shoots laser to eliminate them, thus reducing the need to use herbicides. The project received an EXIST Business Start-up Grant from the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy.

The robotic system is slated to use deep learning algorithms to carry out the weeding task. The researchers also look into the possibility that the system might require cameras mounted on an all-terrain robot vehicle to do the weeding. The system might also serve as an add-on equipment to tractors for the same reason. According to researcher Dr. Julio Pastrana, the robotic system will shoot the leaves of unwanted weeds with short laser pulses, which in turn will weaken their vitality. Using the robotic system may potentially reduce the need for herbicides on fields, thus protecting the environment, said researcher Tim Wigbels.

The researchers are currently working on the specifics of their robotic system, and are also moving to establish their startup business Escarda Technologies for one year at the university through the EXIST grant. “It is now a case of finding investors and further developing the business plan for the start-up,” Wigbels noted in Science Daily. Both researchers look into participating in the start-up round tables carried out by Technology Transfer. “Our aim is to contribute to achieving more sustainable agriculture,” Pastrana quoted in United Press International. The laser-blasting technology may have legitimate commercial potential, said transfer advisor Rüdiger Wolf.

Potential implications in herbicide use

The development of the new robotic system may have positive implications in herbicide use around the world, which has shown significant growth over the years. In fact, a study published in 2015 revealed that the U.S. has already applied a whopping 1.6 billion kilograms of the herbicide glyphosate since 1974. This accounted for 19 percent of estimated global glyphosate use.

According to the study, two-thirds of the total glyphosate volume applied in the U.S. between 1974 and 2014 has been used during the past decade alone. This accounted for 72 percent of the global glyphosate use. The researchers also found that in 2014 alone, farmers used enough glyphosate to apply 1.0 kg/ha on every hectare of cultivated cropland across the U.S. and nearly 0.53 kg/ha on all cropland around the world. (Related: Glyphosate contamination might be apparent in food too)

In addition, the study showed that the global glyphosate use showed a 15-fold increase since 1996, around the same time when genetically engineered, glyphosate-tolerant crops were introduced.

“Genetically engineered herbicide-tolerant crops now account for about 56 percent of global glyphosate use. In the U.S., no pesticide has come remotely close to such intensive and widespread use. This is likely the case globally, but published global pesticide use data are sparse. Glyphosate will likely remain the most widely applied pesticide worldwide for years to come, and interest will grow in quantifying ecological and human health impacts. Accurate, accessible time-series data on glyphosate use will accelerate research progress,” the researchers concluded in Environmental Sciences Europe.

Follow more discoveries on technology and food production at FutureScienceNews.com.

Sources include:

ScienceDaily.com

UPI.com

EnvEurope.SpringerOpen.com

This often overlooked weed is ideal for delicious soup or tea

Touted as the “Herb Queen of the Spring” by Mother Earth News, stinging nettle is a nutritious and energy-rich favorite of herbalists. Found in most Northern forest regions around the globe during spring, many people regard this wild edible weed as a useless plant.

This humble weed, however, has more value than most people think. For centuries, it has been used by many herbal medicine practitioners to treat a wide variety of conditions, including gout, arthritis, skin disorders, anemia, allergies and asthma, bronchitis, urinary tract infections, sciatica, worms, weight loss, and kidney stones.

Next to its cleansing and healing properties, stinging nettle is a nutrient powerhouse. This potent herbal remedy contains high amounts of protein, calcium, magnesium, iron, selenium, zinc, potassium, boron, vitamins A, B, C, D, E, and K, bioflavonoids, antioxidants, essential fatty acids, and chlorophyll. (Related: Find more news about medicinal herbs at Herbs.news.)

Not impressed? You should be! For far too long the value of this precious weed has been overlooked. But nettle is on its way back. With more people seeking answers to their health issues in nature, they are becoming more aware of nettles’ many benefits and uses. If you are new to using nettles to improve your health, nettle tea and soup are a great way to introduce them into your family’s diet, especially during the spring season.

This incredibly versatile and edible plant can be used in many ways to improve your health. If you live in the Northern hemisphere, you might be lucky to find it fresh. If foraging is not possible, dried stinging nettle can be found in both root and leaf form. There is even a powdered version of the leaf available to add to freshly made smoothies and juices.

How to localize, harvest, and use stinging nettle

Nettles start to emerge in dense clusters during the beginning of spring. They can grow as tall as five feet and are usually found near a water source. The green or purple-tinted leaves are heart shaped with glassy hairs underneath. It’s these hairs that inject a stinging solution into the skin. This plant’s chemical is a combination of formic acid, histamine, and several other phytochemicals. Luckily, nettles lose their stinging ability when cooked.

Always make sure to collect nettles from a clean and toxin-free environment. Nettles taste at their best when they are harvested in early spring. The new leaves at the growing tip are the ones you should aim for. While you can still collect leaves from older plants, according to Off The Grid News, they will not be as tender and sweet.

As their name suggests, it is best to wear gloves and a long-sleeved shirt to harvest the leaves. Hold the growing tip and cut the stem just below. Store them in a plastic bag or container in the fridge. They will last for several days. To preserve their quality, you shouldn’t wash the leaves before storing them in the refrigerator.

While stinging nettle tea and soup are the most popular dishes, nettles can be used for so much more. Blanch stinging nettles for 5 minutes in water, keep the water for tea. Blanched nettles can be used as an alternative to spinach in many dishes. Stinging nettle pesto is another great option, or why not try to dry some in a food dehydrator or oven for the colder months. Dried leaves can be used as a garnish, or they make an excellent healing tea.