WIR!-Region 4.0 – Collaborative Project zUCKERrübe: Developing a Cultivation Method Using Innovative Field Robotics, UAS and Practice-Based Research for Organic Sugar Beet Production in the Uckermark
Research project
05/2021 - 04/2023
Project volume:156.407 EURO
Competence field:Ecology, Regional development and development of rural areas, Regional added value
Cooperation:Practical partnership
Funding partner:State funding
As part of the ‘zUCKERrübe’ project, an innovative cultivation method for organic sugar beet production was developed in the Uckermark region. The project was prompted by the high level of manual labour required to control weeds within the rows, which significantly limits the economic viability of organic production.
In a participatory process, HNEE, ZALF, IHP, Zauberzeug GmbH, the Anklam sugar factory and regional organic farmers worked together to develop a solution tailored to local conditions. A key element was the development and testing of the autonomous ‘Uckerbot’ hoeing robot, which uses camera-based image recognition to mechanically control weeds. In parallel, cultivation trials were conducted at the Wilmersdorf Teaching and Research Station and on commercial farms, while the sugar factory’s requirements were integrated into the overall cultivation system.
The aim was to develop a practical cultivation method while also strengthening the foundations for a regional organic sugar beet value chain.
The hoeing robot operates autonomously, much like a robotic lawn mower or vacuum cleaner.
Contact
Project manager
Prof. Dr. Ralf BlochProfessorship in Agroecology and Sustainable Cropping Systems
General contact
Amanda BirkmannMitarbeiterin am Fachgebiet Agrarökologie und nachhaltige Anbausysteme
Research Associate in the Department of Agroecology and Sustainable Cropping Systems
“We have seen that the hoeing robot can cope with the difficult terrain and that the AI-based image analysis works. It can reliably distinguish weeds from sugar beet.”
Dr Marcin Brzozowski, AI expert at the IHP – Leibniz Institute for Innovative Microelectronics in Frankfurt (Oder)
Funding partner
Federal funding
Partnerships
Practice Partnership
- Paulsen Farm
- Wilmersdorf Estate
- Klepelshagen Estate
- Ravensmühle Estate
- Anklam Sugar Factory
