Chemical-free crop desiccation coming this year

Potential applications for the German-built Crop.Zone are almost endless, but the manufacturer, the UK importer and dealers including the Tuckwells Group, believe that its ability to rapidly kill off potato foliage and stop the crop’s growth using electric current rather than chemicals brings particular benefits for UK producers.

Performs in all weathers

The Crop.Zone consists of a linkage-mounted, PTO-driven electricity generator which supplies electrical current through 9m or 12m wide, gull-wing folding booms to applicator hoods, under which electrical contacts apply high-voltage current to the plants.

The rear-mounted electric treatment system works in conjunction with a front-mounted boom sprayer that applies highly conductive liquid (Bio Volt.Fuel) to the plant leaves, encouraging current transfer through the crop whether it is wet or dry.

For the 9m version, a tractor of 185hp upwards is needed, and the 12m model needs 215hp. Up to 10kW of electrical power is generated, with output between 1,600–5,500V – depending on plant populations and canopy density.

The contact hoods are 750mm or 1.5m wide, and the current choice includes versions for potatoes, oats and cover crops.

Immediate results

When the electrodes touch the plant foliage, an electrical circuit is created and plant cells are destroyed. Depending on the plant type and the applicator, this initiates the ripening process – potatoes stop growing and skin firmness is promoted, and cereals and weeds die and dry out.

Crop desiccation starts immediately and plants dry out within just a few hours or over the course of a few days, depending on the plant type and climatic conditions.

Fully organic

Bio Volt.Fuel is certified fully organic. Standard sprayer tank capacity is 600 litres, and 150 litres of the electrical adjuvant is carried.

An electrical mixing pump combines the adjuvant with water and the diluted mix is applied through conventional hydraulic spray nozzles at a rate of 160-litres/ha, (150 litres water plus 10 litres adjuvant), depending on crop type.

Realistic work rates

Typical application speeds are 3–8kph, depending on the crop canopy, and test users of 12m versions report work rates of 4–5ha/hr, or 20–40ha during a typical working day.

Continuing product development includes wider 24 and 48m versions, increasing the product’s attraction to the largest potato growers as well as contractors.

An in-cab terminal controls all key functions and a 5G telematics module records all aspects of operation.

“Its ability to work in almost all weathers and temperatures makes it extremely versatile,” explained Crop.Zone UK network development and support manager, Paul Harrison.

“Whereas chemical herbicide efficacy is related to ambient temperatures and sunlight availability, our electrical system works instantly in all conditions, and it’s only the rate at which the organic matter dries out that’s affected by the weather.”

Advantages beyond chemical savings

Paul said advantages offered by Crop.Zone to potato growers go way beyond saving chemical. “It allows improved management of the period from desiccation until harvesting,” he stressed.

“It makes it easier to set and control the desired harvesting date; there is improved uniformity for a more saleable crop; starch content is unaffected and those who are using it also report improved haulm detachment and exceptional storage quality.

“With just one pass needed rather than three using chemical, there are major time and labour savings and less dependence on weather providing suitable dry windows.”

Trials and extensive testing have shown that soil organisms and earthworms are unaffected by the electric desiccation technique or the organic spray pre-treatment and, with no chemical residues, soil health and fertility levels are maintained.

Dealer view

Tuckwells Group Grimme and potato product specialist, Ashley Sismey said that potential customers for the Crop.Zone were impressed by its quick action during on-farm trials late last year.

“In very late, green-top potatoes the effect on the crop was immediate, with wilting evident within an hour of the electrical current being applied. We have had several enquiries specifically for desiccating cover crops too.

“In organic cropping regimes the cost of the machine is easily justified and even where growers currently rely on glyphosate, that’s becoming more expensive and the Crop.Zone could pay for itself within just a few seasons.”

Tuckwells has a demonstration Crop.Zone available for this potato harvesting season and also has a first limited allocation of machines available for sale.

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