Rutgers University scientist Thierry Besançon just proved lasers can zap weeds as effectively as herbicides—without a single chemical!
In the first peer-reviewed East Coast trials (published June 2025 in Pest Management Science), Carbon Robotics' AI-guided LaserWeeder matched (or beat) conventional herbicides on spinach, peas, and beets.
Key wins:
- Pinpoint precision — zaps weeds 0.5 cm from crop seedlings with zero damage to the crop
- Up to 97% weed biomass reduction in tests
Better crop growth in some cases
- No herbicides = safer for workers, consumers, environment, and sidesteps resistant superweeds like Palmer amaranth
Besançon: "It’s pure physics. Just light energy targeting the weeds." Farmers with specialty crops (few herbicide options) are already interested.
Challenges: High cost (~$500K+), needs multiple passes, works best on small weeds—but tech is evolving fast (faster models coming).
This could revolutionize sustainable farming on the East Coast and beyond. No more "Roundup-ready" dependency?
What do you think—laser weeders the future, or too expensive/practical yet?
(From Rutgers/Cornell 2025 study + recent reports—game-changing ag tech!)
It’s 10.30 Wednesday evening, and if the world wasn’t in lockdown, I’d be onstage in Toulouse, France singing my heart out with The Bad Seeds. But I’m not. I’m doing the next best thing - sitting at home watching Bad Seed TeeVee. Pure non-stop joy!
https://t.co/hMvqcEs8Vr