Opico has expanded its weeding technology range with the addition of the Rumex spot sprayer, range, offering the front-mounted 6m RXF600 and 9m RXF900.
The Rumex brand was established in 2020 by Bavarian farmers Michael Thier and Thomas Ullrich. In Bavaria, broadcast spraying of dock plants in grassland is banned, and farmers are forced to rely on backpack sprayers for spot spraying dock plants.
They developed a spot sprayer which utilises artificial intelligence to reduce labour costs and precisely target weeds. This focus on dock leaves gave rise to the name Rumex, which is the scientific genus for dock plants. Since then, the AI camera guidance technology has been further developed for a number of high value crops.
The AI technology can accurately identify weeds despite variations in size or vegetation and can differentiate between specific types of weeds to achieve the best possible treatment. The flagship RXF900, identifies weeds via 6 cameras and two spotlights, which achieve an impressive 43,200 lumens per unit. Featuring 222 individually controllable flat-fan nozzles spaced just 40mm apart target even the smallest weeds. The adjustable chassis works for all common bed widths from 1.5 to 3m and folds to 3m for road transport.
The AI system can reliably identify weeds in difficult conditions such as poor light or shadows, eliminating the need for a hood over the nozzles. Furthermore, as the machine uses bespoke nozzles to produce a precise narrow jet the Rumex boom is able to be positioned lower and closer to the target plant minimising drift in windy conditions.
Opico suggests the Rumex system is easy to set up with a simple 3-point linkage and PTO connection and is not limited by tractor size. This simple set up allows low HP and older tractors to be used, requiring just 50HP and no additional interfaces. The spot sprayer works during turns and at varying travel speeds with oscillating bearings and lateral guide wheels to keep a constant distance between the nozzle and the plant, even on undulating ground.
“There is a big market for these sprayers in the UK, especially for onion and carrot growers, but the use of AI technology means there is endless potential for other crops,” explains product specialist Tom Brookes. “The spot sprayer offers clear advantage for growers in terms of cost savings, earlier crop harvests and improved crop quality.”
The sprayer’s “All Green” function is designed for a range of crops such as onion, carrot, potatoes and sugar beet. It is particularly effective for targeting weeds when the volunteer plants are emerging but the crop has yet to break through the soil. This enables precise targeting while preventing herbicide application to the crop itself, helping to optimise yields and reduce competition for vital nutrients. Rumex is continuously expanding the capabilities of the AI software, moving beyond the current crop and weed identification abilities to unlock wider applications.
“With the cost of chemicals only going one way, we anticipate the market to grow for other crop types,” notes Tom. “As the AI algorithm is continuously refined for wider use, the Rumex sprayer is a future-proof investment that will become increasingly applicable to more crops and weed species.”
According to Opico, targeted herbicide application reduces the overall chemical use by up to 94%. With the crop “unchecked” by broadcast chemicals it doesn’t expend valuable energy detoxifying herbicides and continues growing normally without weed competition, leading to increased yield and an earlier harvest in many cases.
