Page 30 - AWA Vol.41-No.3

EVENTS

Integrated crop production: Smart

technologies at Agritechnica 2025

9 to 15 November 2025 in Hanover, Ger- and undersowing also play a key role in
many – key theme “Touch Smart Efficien- suppressing weed growth. Alternatively,
cy” – integrated crop production: holistic, wider row spacing can be used to facili-
sustainable arable farming – expanding tate mechanical weed control between
crop rotation – harnessing the potential rows.
of breeding – mechanical weed control Mechanical weed control
– precision crop protection and fertiliza-
Interest in mechanical weed control is
tion increasing in conventional agriculture as
(DLG) Integrated crop production – an many active chemical ingredients are no
environmentally conscious approach to longer available to use as a result of legal
farming – has already proven its value regulations. This poses major challenges
in practice but has received less atten- for arable farming.
tion in recent years. Now, innovative solu-
tions are bringing it back to the forefront. Thanks to modern sensor and control
Modern sensor-supported technologies technology, the combination of mechani-
and digital tools enable the continued cal and chemical crop protection has po-
use of crop protection measures as part tential in integrated crop production, as
of an integrated crop production, even as do purely mechanical methods in which
some active ingredients are phased out. the hoeing tools are precisely controlled
At Agritechnica 2025, the world's larg- by cameras - both between and within
est trade fair for agricultural machinery, the rows. In the former case, this enables
visitors can explore these advancements emergence of resistance, particularly in high working speeds and, in both cases,
firsthand. weed and grass control, have exacerbat- significant savings in crop protection in-
put. There are also already interesting ap-
Taking place from November 9 to 15 in ed the situation. Extreme weather con- proaches for optimized control of hoeing
Hanover, Germany, the event will show- ditions and drought, caused by climate units using artificial intelligence (AI).
case advanced, networked agricultural change, as well as the emergence of new
systems in line with the theme “Touch pests are further factors to contend with. Mechanical weed control offers many
Smart Efficiency.” Organized by the DLG This has led to a return to integrated crop possibilities, but is also associated with
(German Agricultural Society), the inter- production in many places. challenges. These include weather prob-
national trade fair will provide farming Utilizing the potential of breeding lems (wet years), the risk of soil compac-
professionals with direct access to tech- and crop rotation tion and soil erosion and a lack of exper-
nologies that drive efficiency, sustain- tise. In addition, mechanical methods
ability, and productivity in modern agri- Plant breeding plays a crucial role in often do not have the desired effect on
culture. overcoming these challenges by help- problem weeds.
ing crops adapt to emerging resistances Chemical crop protection and min-
For nearly 40 years, integrated crop and climate-related stress factors. Crop
production has stood for a holistic and cultivation measures are also crucial: eral fertilization with precision
sustainable approach to arable farming. in integrated crop production, this in- Despite the elimination of active sub-
This method relies on a diverse set of cul- cludes expanding crop rotation, as a stances and increasing resistance,
tivation practices designed to promote wide crop rotation can reduce both the chemical crop protection will continue
crop health and ensure strong, efficient disease pressure caused by pests and to play an important role in integrated
yields. A key component of this approach the resistance problem. The elimination crop production in the future. Innovative
is integrated crop protection, where of crop protection products with different techniques that are characterized by high
chemical measures are considered only mechanisms of action is also increasingly precision and help to save on pesticides
as a last resort – used only when preven- taking effective tools out of the hands of will contribute to this.
tative measures fail to deliver the desired practitioners. Mineral fertilization is also becoming
results. increasingly precise. An important goal
Weed control in the sowing phase
Weeds and pests should be managed here is to minimize nutrient inputs into
effectively: based on the damage thresh- Effective weed control starts even be- bodies of water, particularly in the case
old principle, prioritizing non-chemical fore sowing, which should be carefully of nitrogen fertilization. Other goals are
methods whenever possible. In the past, timed to avoid being too early. Agro- to save on mineral fertilizers through
integrated crop production with its crop nomic strategies such as mock sowing greater precision and increased efficien-
protection approach did not adequately help eliminate early-germinating weeds, cy. The agricultural machinery manufac-
meet today’s required standards. This is while post-harvest harrowing encour- turers' answers to these requirements
because modern crop protection prod- ages weed seeds to sprout, making them are sensor-supported rate control, fur-
ucts and fertilizer technology, as well as easier to manage. Intercropping immedi- ther developments in border spreading
advances in plant breeding, have been ately after threshing is another effective equipment, automatic part-width section
able to cover up any plant cultivation approach. control and variable rate adjustment or
problems that may arise as a result of Choosing highly competitive crops – systems for adjusting the spreading pat-
tighter crop rotations, early sowing dates those with dense foliage and good leaf tern when cornering. Pneumatic fertilizer
or higher nitrogen fertilization. retention – can minimize light reaching spreaders ensure high precision fertil-
In recent years, the decline in available the soil, reducing weed germination. Op- izer application at the field boundary.
active ingredients and the increased timized row spacing, higher seed rates, Circle 38 on enquiry card
28 Vol. 41 No. 3