For decades, increasing yields have been ensured by using chemical crop protection However, with increasing use, the resistance of harmful organisms also increases, meaning that the effectiveness of plant protection products is stagnating. Fewer permits are being issued for plant protection products with new active ingredients.
Furthermore, consumer acceptance of chemical pesticides is declining, and new health and environmental goals require a reduction in their usage.
PÖTTINGER accepts these challenges and now includes mechanical crop care machines in its product range for sustainable, crop-specific and site-specific plant protection.
A key objective of mechanical crop care is to promote the growth of the crop. To achieve this, competition from weeds and grasses must be kept to a minimum. A high density of weeds cause:
Reduction in yield, or even a failed crop
Contaminated crop or seed
Difficult, cost-intensive harvesting conditions
By using our crop care machines, it is possible to avoid higher production and follow-up costs.
Mechanical cultivation of the topsoil leads to better nutrient availability. The working results of the crop care machines give the crop a growth advantage over the weeds.
Targeted mechanical plant protection can reduce the use of chemical plant protection products (PPPs) and, in ideal cases, replace them entirely. The combination of mechanical and chemical plant protection can improve the effectiveness of existing PPP processes.
Integrated crop protection saves PPPs and prevents them from entering surface water and groundwater. The variety of species and biodiversity are then preserved and promoted.
Different row crop cultivation effects can be achieved using FLEXCARE hoeing technology.
Cutting: The leaves are completely separated from the root system. The plant stops growing as a result. The root system perishes and the leaves dry out.
Covering: The weeds are covered with soil. Photosynthesis is prevented by the lack of sunlight so that the weeds perish.
Breaking up incrustations: The vibrating movement of the weeding tools effectively breaks up incrustations.