DISCRIMINATING GROUND VEGETATION IN AGRICULTURE

A method and device for discriminating different types of ground vegetation in agriculture is disclosed in which an artificial source (24) of electromagnetic radiation is employed for directing a beam (26) of radiation onto the vegetation. A sensor assembly (30) is provided for detecting reflected radiation from the vegetation in a selected frequency band and generating a sensing signal in response to the detection. A logic controller (32) determines whether a magnitude of the sensing signal falls within a predetermined range of values in order to distinguish one type of vegetation from another type. In the near infred region of the electromagnetic spectum different types of weeds absorb significantly less infra-red radiation than other types of vegetation. Logic controller (32) compares the amplitude of the sensing signal with a decision window. If the amplitude of the incoming sensing signal falls within the decision window then the logic controller (32) determines that a certain type of plant has been detected and activates the corresponding solenoid valve (36) to deliver dose of spray liquid from spray nozzle (14) to the targeted weed (28).