Kentucky Bluegrass
The Kentucky bluegrass AI model used by the ARA™ UHP Sprayer helps seed growers face a unique weed-control challenge. Weeds such as annual bluegrass (Poa annua) and downy brome can compete with the crop in the field, contaminate harvested seed and add costly processing and cleaning requirements. This is an upcoming algorithm, free to use while we finalize its development.
The Challenge: Weeds That Follow You to the Processing Line
For Kentucky bluegrass seed growers, weed control extends beyond the field. Poa annua, downy brome and other weeds can contaminate harvested seed, increasing the work required during cleaning and processing.
Traditional hand spraying can also be labor-intensive and inconsistent. Precision weed control can help reduce contamination in the field before it reaches the processing facility.
Treat Only What's Needed
Our advanced Plant-by-Plant AI™ technology detects weeds of sub-centimeter size in your seed production. It targets them in less than 1/4 of a second on a footprint as small as 6 by 6cm. This enables precision spot spraying even when target weeds are growing among valuable Kentucky bluegrass plants.
Proven in Kentucky Bluegrass Research
In 2025, Oregon State University and Ecorobotix evaluated ARA at Hyslop Research Farm in Corvallis, Oregon. The trial examined ARA's ability to identify and target annual bluegrass (Poa annua) growing within an established Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis) stand. A non-selective herbicide was used to demonstrate the potential of precision application to target weeds while limiting exposure to the crop. 92% average targeting accuracy. 2.9 gal/acre average herbicide application. 13% of the conventional application rate used for comparison.
Precision Spraying, Designed for Kentucky Bluegrass
- -> Target annual bluegrass (Poa annua) within established Kentucky bluegrass
- -> Target downy brome and other problem weeds
- -> Reduce herbicide application volumes compared with conventional spraying
- -> Reduce reliance on manual spot spraying
- -> Address weeds before they contribute unwanted material to harvested seed
- -> Apply non-selective herbicides with greater precision when appropriate
Ready to see what ARA could do in your Kentucky bluegrass fields?
Whether you're dealing with annual bluegrass in the Willamette Valley or downy brome in eastern Oregon, ARA brings automated plant-by-plant precision to Kentucky bluegrass weed management. Contact our Pacific Northwest sales team to schedule a demonstration.