Comparative evaluation of the effect of conventional and robotic mechanical weeding on topsoil physical attributes

Abstract

Sustainable organic agriculture is based on maintaining not only healthy plants, but also healthy soil. Weed control methods with different intensities have different effects on soil physical attributes that are important for organic crop growth. The aim of this work was to evaluate the short-term effects of conventional (CMM) and robotic (AAR) weed control methods on soil physical attributes in organic sugar beet production. An experimental study was carried out for three years (2021–2023) to determine the effects of two different weed control technologies on soil penetration resistance, moisture content, bulk density and porosity (total and aeration). The results showed that the CMM increased soil compaction by a greater amount than the AAR. The penetration resistance increased by up to 3.5 times in the 0–10 cm layer and by up to 2.6 times in the 10–20 cm layer. This resulted in a decrease in soil porosity and aeration, which are essential for plant root development and water infiltration. In addition, soil moisture levels remained more stable with the AAR method. These results highlight the potential of robotic weed control technologies for sustainable soil management in organic farming systems. By reducing soil compaction and preserving favourable soil physical properties, the AAR weed control method can help achieve sustainable agriculture goals. • The effect of a conventional weeding machine (CMM) and a robot (AAR) was studied. • In the inter-row area, soil bulk density increased more with CMM than with AAR. • Soil penetration resistance was significantly lower with AAR compared to CMM. • Robotic weeding was more beneficial to the soil physical state than conventional.