Arkansas researchers create low-cost system for precise weed control
Researchers at the University of Arkansas have developed a simple and affordable smart cart that helps reduce herbicide use in turfgrass management. Built using a modified three-wheeled jogging stroller, the system applies precision agriculture technology to golf courses, athletic fields, and sod farms.
The cart uses a camera, custom software, and electronically controlled spray nozzles to identify and spray weeds only where they are present. The technology focuses on green winter weeds growing in dormant brown bermudagrass, allowing targeted treatment instead of spraying entire areas.
“If you are managing a golf course and have 30 acres to treat with herbicide, reducing those 30 acres down to only 12 acres of application results in considerable cost and labor reductions, and it lessens the environmental impact,” said Wendell Hutchens, an assistant professor of turfgrass science in the department of horticulture for the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, the research arm of the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.
During field trials, the innovative system reduced herbicide use by as much as 62 percent compared to traditional broadcast spraying methods. Researchers also found that the cart maintained high weed detection rates and required less time to operate than manually spraying weeds with a backpack sprayer.
According to the research team, reducing herbicide applications can help turf managers lower operating costs, save labor, and decrease environmental impact. For large areas such as golf courses, the savings could be significant because only weed-infested sections need treatment.
One of the main advantages of the system is its simplicity. Rather than relying on complex artificial intelligence models that require large amounts of training data, the researchers used a color-based detection method to identify weeds. The detection settings can be adjusted instantly through a touchscreen monitor, making the technology easy to use.
“I am truly fortunate to have had such a great team at the University of Arkansas to complete this project,” said Sam Kreinberg, who earned his master's degree at the University of Arkansas in 2025 and is now pursuing a Ph.D. at Virginia Tech. “I also think this is such a great example of what research can entail. The results from this study offer great potential for precision turfgrass management, and we used a former baby stroller to test our hypotheses!”
The project brought together experts in turfgrass science, remote sensing, horticulture, and agricultural technology. Researchers believe the system serves as an effective proof of concept for precision turfgrass management and could be improved further with better cameras and faster image processing.
Although currently mounted on a stroller, the software can be adapted for use on mowers, ATVs, and commercial sprayers. The team is also exploring opportunities to commercialize the technology and expand its use beyond winter weed control.
Photo Credit: University of Arkansas