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Works like chemistry

But without chemistry

What is Hybrid Herbicide?

And how does it work? What effects does volt.fuel have on the soil and crop quality? We have prepared these and many other aspects of our alternative to classic herbicides for you here.

The agronomic effects

The implications and issues related to the agriculture of the future are complex. We’ve compiled the most important questions and answers around the use and effects of hybrid herbicides.

Why does crope.zone use volt.fuel instead of simply spraying water? The crucial component is not the water, but the salt ions that conduct the electricity.
Why is hybrid herbicide technology only available with volt.fuel? in addition to increasing efficiency, volt.fuel is also the decisive safety factor.
Why is peel strength necessary for potatoes? Only ripe potatoes with a firm skin can be harvested without injury and stored longer.
Why does soil preserving agriculture need Hybrid Herbicide? Without glyphosate and soil movement, it is the only solution for weed and green manure.
Where does the agricultural turnaround lead – certainly not back! As with sailing, the agricultural turnaround also serves to achieve new, sustainable goals.
Does Hybrid Herbicide affect the content of alkaloids and glycosides? Investigations under worst-case conditions showed no changes in these substances.
We value diversity, both in the field and at work This happens when very different people work together with a common goal.
How does hybrid herbicide affect the starch content of potatoes? There is no special effect, but a rapid interruption of the further formation of strength.
How important is the water use efficiency of plants? Efficient water utilization of the plant is important, but the water-saving cultivation system is more important.
How far does the depth effect of hybrid herbicide reach? Depending on plant and drought, effects up to 10 cm depth were observed.
How likely is a complete ban on glyphosate in Europe? The final political decision is yet to be made. There are many reasons for strong restrictions.
How does hybrid herbicide technology support sustainable value chains? It does not require any herbicides and is already prepared for sustainable propulsion energy supply.
How and why should carbon be bound in the soil? Cover crops extract carbon from the atmosphere and stabilize the soil with humus.
What is crop.zone’s contribution to the future of agriculture? crop.zone supports agriculture where real solutions are needed, in the field.
How does crop.zone profile itself in the field of sustainability? crop.zone relies on innovative agriculture to achieve its sustainability goals.
How can hybrid herbicides contribute to integrated crop protection? It does not have to be used preventively and also works on relatively large plants.
How can Hybrid Herbicide support the 30% target for organic farming? It reduces soil movement and can also be used in case of danger of erosion instead of ploughing.
How does electrical plant control work in general? Electric power is used to allow plants to dry out in a targeted and residue-free manner.
How does crop.zone Hybrid Herbicide technology work? Electric current is passed through the plants and, if necessary, also through roots and soil.
How does the mechanism of action of hybrid herbicide work? The electric current destroys the water conductivity and the touched plants dry up.
Why cover crops? Cover crops are plants grown in rotation between crops to sequester CO2 from the air, build humus and protect the soil.
Anyone who understands biodiversity also has an ecosystem in the workplace. Stable ecosystems are diverse and fun. You are also welcome with your diversity.
How does crop.zone Hybrid Herbicide affect soil life? Extensive research shows that it does not damage earthworms or the mesofauna.
What are the benefits of plant control without a forced waiting period? The absence of legal deadlines facilitates harvest logistics and minimizes the time to re-seeding.
What are the benefits of hybrid herbicide for potato siccation? The long list of benefits of hybrid herbicide can be found in the detailed answer.
What are the different uses of potatoes? Vodka is missing from the wide variety of uses for different types of potatoes.
What are the risks of using glyphosate? There are many risks that are often not conclusively assessed or the consequences of which are unclear.
Which types of potatoes have already been treated with hybrid herbicide? All varieties can be treated; a selection can be found in the detailed answer.
What are the benefits of plowless agriculture for the soil? Soil life becomes healthier, the soil becomes more stable and the water balance stabilizes.
What are the different alternatives to using Glyphosate? Chemical, thermal and mechanical methods or hybrid herbicides can be used.
What are the challenges for chemical herbicides? Fewer and fewer substances, more and more frequently used, with increasing known side effects.
What can Hybrid Herbicide do when growing organic potatoes? Early, peel-resistant, easy-to-package organic potatoes can open up new markets.
What is clean agriculture or clean farming? Synthetic fertilizers and pesticides are reduced to a minimum.
What is glufosinate and where is it still used? Glufosinate is a good example that “bioherbicides” can also be ecotoxic.
What is erosion and what does it have to do with hybrid herbicide? Soil cultivation promotes erosion and hybrid herbicide makes it unnecessary for plant control.
What is Diquat and where was it used in Europe in the past? Diquat was a very effective means of siccation, but directly very toxic to humans.
What is the function of volt.fuel in hybrid herbicide? Volt.fuel increases the conductivity of the plants and makes hybrid herbicide effective.
What is so special about crop.zone’s company profile? The people and the sustainable high technology for agriculture that is developed there.
What does a sustainable circular economy need in agriculture? Sustainable cycles are effective if they contain little substances and a lot of regenerative energy.
What does sustainable intensification in agriculture require? Only with new sustainable technologies can we save space and better protect natural areas.
What does Minor Uses mean in chemical plant protection? Hybrid herbicide is the opportunity for effective crop protection in small and emerging crops.
What does agriculture mean without tillage? The soil that is generally moved as little as possible is sown directly without extensive tillage.
What is industrial vegetation management? IVM is the control of vegetation in industry, on traffic routes and other infrastructure.
What does Hybrid Herbicide Technology mean for the Green Deal? Only through innovation can the use of PSM be reduced without harming soil and farmers.
Why are cover crops or catch crops grown? Because they are good for climate, soil structure, soil life, biodiversity and the human eye.
Why is Hybrid Herbicide important for Net Zero in agriculture? It can use regenerative tractor drives and help store carbon in the ground.
Why does every volt.fuel canister have an RFID chip in the lid? The RFID guarantees authenticity, makes the system safe and unlocks the area credits.
Why is there potato siccation? Can’t it be done without? Without siccation, potatoes could only be harvested with varying quality late in the year.
Why is there oat siccation and where in the world is it used? Hafersication promotes harvestability and is used in areas with unfavorable weather.
Why is there siccation of crops instead of natural ripeness? Siccation can increase the quality and secure the harvest in unfavorable weather.
Why does soil-saving mulch seed need hybrid herbicide? If chopped with low herbicide mulch seed, the mulch will soon be incorporated into the soil.
Does Hybrid Herbicide change the quality of baking and frying? Extensive tests have shown that it does not affect the quality of baking and frying.
Does Hybrid Herbicide reduce the logistical problems of siccation? Yes, as it can be used less depending on wind, sunshine and time of day.
Paraquat for burn down and siccation – no longer in Europe The highly toxic paraquat is part of the history of progress in agriculture.
What speed can hybrid herbicide systems run at? Experience has shown that speeds of 6 to 8 km/h are possible.
Can bioherbicides like pelargonic acid replace classic herbicides? Many currently approved bioherbicides are too expensive and too ineffective as a general substitute.
Can Hybrid Herbicide help with difficult Potato Varieties? Yes, very, because hybrid herbicide can usually replace 2 chemical treatments per trip.
Can Hybrid Herbicide mitigate climate change and its consequences? It helps soils store more carbon, lose less, and increase photosynthesis.
Can Hybrid Herbicide Technology harm beneficial insects? Ecotoxic studies have shown that hybrid herbicides do not harm beneficial insects on the ground.
Can Hybrid Herbicide help reduce insecticide levels? It ensures fast drying of the stems and thus reduces the risk of infection.
Can Hybrid Herbicide harm the quality of potatoes? No relevant changes in quality were found compared to other procedures.
Can Hybrid Herbicide affect potato size and shape? Hybrid herbicide helps to stop growth quickly and with low weather dependence.
Can Hybrid Herbicide contribute to year-round coverage? Soil cover can be maximised without waiting times and damage to subsoil.
Can Hybrid Herbicide be used in all types of potatoes? Yes, it works on all potato varieties and siccation times, similar to chemistry.
In which packaging units is volt.fuel available? volt.fuel is packed in 10 L canisters. Each 2 canisters are packed in a carton.
Is Hybrid Herbicide compatible with Precision Agriculture? Hybrid herbicide is the most precise method to perform targeted plant control.
Is volt.fuel approved for use in organic farming? In 2023 crop.zone will release the new volt.fuel bio with the corresponding approvals for Europe.
Does Hybrid Herbicide Help the Landscape in Water Protected Areas? It helps, especially when water and groundwater conservation is managed without glyphosate.
High specific conductivity in the field by volt.fuel The high conductivity of the plants is the key factor for the agronomic effects.
Does Hybrid Herbicide affect the germination capacity of potatoes? No. Hybrid herbicide is safe for seed potatoes and does not change the storage behaviour.
Does Hybrid Herbicide leave chemical residues in the soil? The method leaves no residue and therefore requires no waiting times.
Are there any risks to animals, plants and waters from volt.fuel? No, volt.fuel deliberately does not contain any substances that are dangerous for the environment. 
Does Hybrid Herbicide promote the good removal of the herb at harvest? Hybrid herbicide improves stolon detachment, as it often only achieves herbal blows.
Does Hybrid Herbicide Promote Biodiversity in Fields? Since it only kills the plants that are touched directly, weak competitors often stop.
Are there any residues at volt.fuel after use and where do they go with it? There is no unused volt.fuel in the main tank and cleaning is done on the field.
Does volt.fuel contain environmentally relevant nutrients or salts? No, the substances are very well biodegradable or do not replace the output of the harvest for a long time.
Does the sustainable bioeconomy need the Hybrid Herbicide Technology? Minimizing chemical herbicides is important because bioeconomy must be sustainable.

How does
Hybrid Herbicide technology work?

Immediately before electric application, the plants are pre-treated with the conductive liquid volt.fuel via a field sprayer on the front hydraulics of the tractor.

A PTO-driven generator is attached to the rear hydraulics of the tractor, which converts the mechanical power of the tractor into three-phase current. The electrical power is then distributed via an integrated control cabinet to the max. 16 high-voltage units that supply the applicators. The 75 cm wide and 1 m long applicators are arranged on a hydraulically foldable linkage behind the generator.

A single applicator treats a row of potatoes. Electrode units with different polarity are located at the applicators. By touching the plants, the circuit is closed, the cells are destroyed, the ripening is initiated and the peel strength of the potatoes is promoted. Depending on the plant and weather conditions, the drying and dying of the plants takes a few hours to a few days. In total, this system works with a power between 1600 and 5500 volts and per applicator with up to 7kW. With a working width of 12 m and a working speed of up to 8 km/h (= 12 kWh/ha), an area output of 4-5 ha/hour can be achieved.The device weighs 2.4 tons and requires 145 kW of energy at the PTO.