37 Microwave Weed Controller*

Supervisors:

Bruce Beard

Moderator:

Byron Martin

Number of Students:

Matt Maxwell and Tracy Rowland

Description:

Southcorp Wines is one of the biggest wine producers in Australia. They have a significant area of vines in Australia (8,000Ha, approximately half of which are in South Australia) and which require regular maintenance: trimming, weed management, mowing, spraying, etc. Currently the methods used for controlling weeds are; cultivation, mowing, spraying with various chemical herbicides, and by using gas burners to ``burn'' off new growth. These methods have to be used with great care not to damage the grape vine and only some techniques are acceptable for ``organic'' production systems. Additionally, the mechanical techniques are typically expensive of fuel and equipment maintenance.

The primary focus of this project is to validate the potential of this technique to kill or suppress weed growth. If validated, the project would then develop a method for using microwaves to ``burn off'' the new growth, thus preventing the ``weeds'' from developing into mature plants.

The device/implement would ideally be adapted to control weed, undervine, in rows ranging from approximately 1,.5m spacing to 3.5 m spacing (typically 3.0m) with weed control in a band of 0.8-1.0m undervine. The device may also be adaptable to inter-row weed management.
SouthCorp Wines is one of the biggest wine producers in Australia. They have a significant area of vines in South Australia which require regular weed control. Currently the methods used for controlling weeds are; mowing, spraying with various chemical herbicides, and by using gas burners to ``burn off'' new growth. These methods have to be used with great care not to damage the grape vine.

The primary focus of this project is to develop a method for using microwaves to burn off the new growth, thus preventing the weeds from developing into mature plants.

The project may include :-

1. Project Objectives for all Stakeholders
2. Establishing the application rate of microwaves to control new growth
3. Positioning system design
4. Design and Specification for Construction
5. Occupational Health & Safety considerations
6. Safety interlocks

Industrial Sponsor:

SouthCorp Wines.