July 18, 2024

 

New intelligent robot revolutionises corn detasseling in Xinjiang, China

The first domestically developed intelligent robot for detasseling corn has begun operating at a demonstration base in Changji city, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, China, China News Service reported.

 

Detasseling involves removing pollen-producing flowers, or tassels, from the tops of corn plants and placing them on the ground. This controlled pollination method creates hybrid corn, which yields much higher than corn cultivated through other pollination techniques.

 

Equipped with the Beidou navigation system, high-precision laser radar, and image recognition technology, the new robot autonomously detassels corn with exceptional precision. Its efficiency is 10 to 15 times higher than traditional manual methods, significantly reducing work time and enhancing seed quality.

 

Luo Shixu, vice-president of Joinhope Seed Co, which oversees the demonstration base, explained that detasseling in corn seed production effectively reduces nutrient consumption by the corn plants. This allows nutrients to concentrate in the ears, increasing seed production and improving quality.

 

Developed by Xinjiang Jiuyu Technology Co, the robot can detassel up to 0.7 hectares of corn per hour. In comparison, a person working manually can detassel less than 0.067 hectares per hour, with higher labour costs.

 

The robot uses advanced technology to examine leaf and ear positions, determining the optimal probing distance to extract corn tassels without blind spots. It adapts to plant heights ranging from 1.5 m to 2.3 m, with an average detasseling rate above 85%, reaching over 90% at its peak.

 

Electrically powered, the robot's arms can be adjusted more precisely than traditional hydraulic systems, resulting in lower leaf damage and failure rates. The robot and its components are priced lower than traditional detasseling machines, with lower maintenance costs, according to Ma Bo, general manager of Xinjiang Jiuyu. The robot has entered mass production.

 

During operation, the robot consumes only 6 kWh per hectare, equivalent to about CNY 3 (US$0.41) for electricity, with a battery life of up to 2,000 cycles.

 

Wang Yuxi, chief expert at the National Agricultural Technology Extension Service Center, stated, "Replacing traditional manual detasseling with mechanical methods can help achieve full-cycle mechanised seed production. This minimises damage to corn plants, maximises labour productivity, seed yield, and quality, and makes production more scientific and efficient. This is significant for promoting high-quality development in the seed industry."

 

-      China News Service