WO2020121155A1

WO2020121155A1 - Apparatus for the weeding of soils

Info

Publication number: WO2020121155A1
Application number: PCT/IB2019/060558
Authority: WO
Inventors: Demis ERMACORA
Original assignee: BERNABEI, Luca; GIORGIUTTI, Piergiorgio; SCILIPOTI, Salvatore
Priority date: 2018-12-10
Filing date: 2019-12-09
Publication date: 2020-06-18
Also published as: IT201800010946A1

Abstract

The apparatus (1) for the weeding of soils comprises: - an irradiation assembly (2) adapted to generate microwaves and to convey them onto a soil to be weeded; - a management and control unit (3) of the apparatus (1); - a power supply unit (4) connected to the irradiation assembly (2) and to the management and control unit (3) and adapted to generate supply energy of the apparatus (1); Wherein the irradiation assembly (2) comprises: - a plurality of emission units (5) of microwaves comprising each at least one emitter element (6) adapted to generate microwaves; - a diffuser body (7) of the microwaves associated with the emission units (5) and provided with a diffusion port (8) oriented towards the soil to be weeded, the diffuser body (7) being adapted to convey the microwaves towards the diffusion port (8).

Description

APPARATUS FOR THE WEEDING OF SOILS

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an apparatus for the weeding of soils.

Background Art

To date, particularly in the agricultural sector, the need is known for weed control, i.e. an activity which eliminates elements which are harmful to crops, such as weeds and/or fungal pathogens or other elements.

Such harmful elements can grow in fields used for agricultural activities, such as vineyards or orchards or fields of arable land, affecting the development of any cultivated plants.

It is well known that weed control can also be practiced in other contexts, such as for example during the maintenance of green areas, such as public parks or gardens.

It is well known that today weeding is often carried out using chemical products, i.e. herbicides, which are brought into contact with the harmful elements to be eliminated.

Usually, the herbicides used are plant protection products containing active ingredients called glyphosates.

However, weed control using chemical products has its drawbacks.

Firstly, weed control using chemicals products often requires long processing times, which have a negative impact on the operating costs of the weed control activity.

Furthermore, the use of chemicals on the soil can lead to environmental pollution problems, inasmuch as the chemicals can either come into contact with the cultivated plants and damage their quality or can permeate the soil and pollute it.

Again, the chemical products used can release into the air gases and vapors which are harmful to the environment.

In this regard, the fact should be underlined that, to date, very restrictive environmental constraints have been imposed on agricultural producers and also on green area maintenance operators; therefore, the use of chemical products for weed control is not compatible with these restrictions.

Again, the use of chemical products exposes the operators who handle them to direct contact with substances which can damage the health of the operators themselves.

It is well known that to date weeding can also be carried out through the use of heat produced by a flame directed, through appropriate dispensers, directly onto the harmful elements to be eliminated.

The fuel usually used to generate the flame is LPG, suitably stored in cylinders which are transported on site by operators using appropriate means, such as e.g. tractors.

Such practice is usually known as flame weeding and is based on the thermal shock caused on weeds and/or fungal pathogens due to the rapid passage of the flame.

Specifically, flame weeding consists in raising the temperature of the tissues of the elements to be eliminated in a very short time, causing the destruction of cell membranes, resulting in the death of pests within a few days.

Flame weeding, however, has some drawbacks.

First of all, flame weeding often requires long processing times, which have a negative impact on the cost of managing the weed control activity.

Again, the combustion process used in the flame weeding activity also has the effect of producing pollutants, such as e.g. carbon dioxide or fine dust, which can cause environmental pollution.

Flame weeding determines high energy consumption represented by the use of large quantities of fuel, specifically LPG; such energy consumption results in an increase in the management costs of the weed control activity.

A further drawback of flame weeding is the fact that many species of weeds and fungal pathogens are heat-resistant and therefore not eradicated by flame weeding.

Furthermore, flame weeding acts mainly on the surface and therefore its effect is short lived; in fact, it can happen that in a short time both weeds and fungal pathogens are reborn, thus increasing the frequency with which weed control has to be carried out.

Another drawback of flame weeding is that open flames may inadvertently come into contact with the surrounding vegetation and thus favor the outbreak of fires, especially if the vegetation is dry.

Description of the Invention

The main aim of the present invention is to devise an apparatus for the weeding of soils which allows speeding up the weeding activity, thus cutting the operational costs of the weeding activity.

Another object of the present invention is to devise an apparatus for the weeding of soils which allows reducing the environmental impact of the weeding activity.

Yet another object of the present invention is to devise an apparatus for the weeding of soils which allows reducing the risk for the health of operators employed in the weeding activity itself.

A further object of the present invention is to devise an apparatus for the weeding of soils which allows reducing the energy consumption, thus reducing the operational costs at the same time.

Another object of the present invention is to devise an apparatus for the weeding of soils which is effective on a greater number of weeds and at the same time allows reducing the frequency with which weeding has to be carried out.

Another object of the present invention is to devise an apparatus for the weeding of soils which permits limiting the outbreak of fires, thus making it possible to carry out weeding activities even on particularly dry soils.

Another object of the present invention is to devise an apparatus for the weeding of soils that allows overcoming the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art in a simple, rational, easy, effective to use and low cost solution.

The aforementioned objects are achieved by the present apparatus for the weeding of soils having the characteristics of claim 1.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be more evident from the description of several preferred, but not exclusive, embodiments of an apparatus for the weeding of soils, illustrated as an indication, but not limited to, in the attached tables of drawings in which:

Figure 1 is an axonometric view of a first embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a broken view of some components of the apparatus of Figure 1 ; Figure 3 is a view illustrating a detail of Figure 2;

Figure 4 and Figure 5 are side views of the apparatus of Figure 1 from two different angles;

Figure 6 is an axonometric view of the apparatus of Figure 1 associated with the towing means;

Figure 7 is a rear view of the apparatus of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is an axonometric view of a second embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention associated with the towing means;

Figure 9 is an axonometric view of a third embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention.

Fmbodiments of the Invention

With particular reference to these figures, reference numeral 1 globally indicates an apparatus for the weeding of soils.

In the context of the present treatise, the soils to be weeded are deemed to be of an agricultural nature and, in particular, the apparatus 1 has been deemed as applying to vineyards or the like.

Alternative embodiments cannot however be ruled out wherein the apparatus 1 , to which the present invention relates, is intended for the weeding of agricultural soils of a different nature, such as crop lands.

Again, the use cannot be ruled out of the apparatus 1, to which the present invention relates, on non- agricultural land, such as e.g. gardens or public parks. Furthermore, in the context of the present treatise, the harmful elements to be eliminated through the practice of weeding are deemed to be weeds and fungal pathogens.

The apparatus 1 comprises: at least one irradiation assembly 2 adapted to generate microwaves and to convey them onto a soil to be weeded;

at least one management and control unit 3 of the apparatus 1 ;

at least one power supply unit 4 connected to the irradiation assembly 2 and to the management and control unit 3 and adapted to generate supply energy of the apparatus 1.

According to an essential characteristic of the invention, the irradiation assembly 2 comprises a plurality of emission units 5 of the microwaves comprising each at least one emitter element 6 adapted to generate the microwaves.

Advantageously, in fact, the presence of a plurality of appropriately arranged emission units 5 allows generating an electromagnetic field of much greater intensity than in the case in which there is only one emission unit 5, thus obtaining greater power of destruction of the harmful elements present on the soils to be weeded.

In the particular embodiment shown in the Figures 1 to 7 the emitter elements 6 are of the magnetron type.

The magnetron is a type of high power thermionic valve adapted to generate microwaves which contribute to creating an electromagnetic field.

According to the invention, the irradiation assembly 2 comprises at least one diffuser body 7 of the microwaves associated with the emission units 5 and provided with at least one diffusion port 8 oriented towards the soil to be weeded, the diffuser body 7 being adapted to convey the microwaves towards the diffusion port 8.

More specifically, the diffuser body 7 is a substantially hollow body and is adapted to be crossed by the microwaves generated by the emitter elements 6 and to convey them on the soil to be weeded.

Advantageously, the diffuser body 7 has a substantially frusto-conical and divergent conformation according to the direction of approach to the diffusion port 8.

The particular frusto-conical conformation of the diffuser body 7 facilitates the conveyance of the microwaves towards the diffusion port 8 and avoids the dissipation thereof.

In particular, the frusto-conical conformation adapts to the natural diffusion trajectory of the microwaves in space.

Consequently, the diffuser body 7 limits any rebound phenomena of the microwaves themselves on the side walls of the diffuser body 7, which may reduce the intensity of the electromagnetic field generated by the irradiation assembly 2.

The diffuser body 7 comprises at least one upper face 9 opposed to the diffusion port 8 and comprising a plurality of holes 10.

In the particular embodiment shown in the Figures 1 to 7, the diffuser body 7 comprises an upper face 9 with a substantially slab-like conformation with which are associated four side walls, these too substantially slab-shaped.

Alternative embodiments cannot however be ruled out wherein the diffuser body 7 is shaped differently; for example, the diffuser body 7 may comprise only one side wall associated with the upper face 9.

The emission units 5 are associated with the upper face 9 of the diffuser body 7 and the diffusion port 8 is therefore allocated on the opposite side with respect to the emission units 5.

Alternative embodiments cannot however be ruled out wherein the emission units 5 are allocated differently with respect to the diffuser body 7; for example, the emission units 5 can be arranged at the side walls of the diffuser body 7. Again, alternative embodiments cannot be ruled out wherein the diffusion port 8 is positioned differently; for example, the diffusion port 8 can be defined on one of the side walls of the diffuser body 7.

Conveniently, the microwaves produced by the emitter elements 6 enter into the diffuser body 7 through the holes 10 and, subsequently, pass through the diffuser body 7 moving from the upper face 9 in the direction of the diffusion port 8.

The diffusion port 8 is substantially an opening facing the soil to be weeded and therefore the microwaves come out of the diffusion port 8 and come into contact with the soil to be weeded.

More specifically, the diffuser body 7 collects all the microwaves generated by all the emitter elements 6, thus permitting the generation of a single electromagnetic field the intensity of which is given by all the microwaves produced by the emission units 5.

The aforementioned electromagnetic field is completely directed onto the soil to be weeded and determines intracellular heating in the harmful elements present on the soil and which are to be eliminated.

In particular, the water, fats and carbohydrates which make up the plant cells of the weeds and fungal pathogens, through a process known as dielectric heating, absorb the energy of the microwaves which come into contact with them.

This way, the outer membrane of the weed cells lacerates and soon dies, thereby causing the death of the harmful elements.

Advantageously, the emission units 5 comprise conveying means 11 adapted to be interposed between the emitter elements 6 and the upper face 9 passing through the holes 10.

The conveying means 11 are adapted to convey the microwaves towards the diffusion port 8.

In the particular embodiment shown in the Figures 1 to 7, each conveying means 11 is associated above with a respective emitter element 6.

In particular, each conveying means 11 is substantially shaped like a hollow body the upper portion of which has an opening turned towards the emitter element 6 with which it is associated.

The lower portion of each conveying means 11 passes through a hole 10 and protrudes inside the diffuser body 7.

Furthermore, the lower portion of each conveying means 11 comprises an opening turned towards the diffusion port 8.

The conveying means 11 direct the microwaves towards the diffusion port 8 and limit their dissipation in space, thus keeping the intensity of the microwaves themselves as constant as possible.

Alternative embodiments cannot however be ruled out wherein the conveying means 11 have a different shape; for example, the conveying means 11 can have a substantially cylindrical shape.

Advantageously, the irradiation assembly 2 comprises at least one housing compartment 12 adapted to contain the emission units 5.

In particular, the irradiation assembly 2 comprises at least one container 13 associated with the upper face 9 and defining the housing compartment 12.

In particular, the lower portion of the container 13 is associated with the upper face 9 of the diffuser body 7.

In the particular embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 7, the container 13 is substantially shaped like a hollow body provided with an opening arranged at the upper face 9, thus defining the housing compartment 12.

The emission units 5, being associated with the upper face 9, are contained inside the housing compartment 12.

Preferably, the emission units 5 are associated with the side walls of the container 13 itself.

The container 13 is adapted to protect the emission units 5 from any external bad weather and from any possible frictions with the vegetation present on the soil to be weeded or from other external interferences.

Conveniently the emission units 5 are arranged to form at least one row F.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 7 there is a single row F in which the emission units 5 are aligned with each other.

Alternative embodiments cannot however be ruled out, wherein there is a plurality of rows F arranged parallel to each other and wherein the emission units 5 of different rows are positioned aligned with each other or staggered from each other.

Advantageously, if a plurality of rows F is present, it is possible to obtain a greater intensity of the electromagnetic field generated by the microwaves.

This way it is possible to obtain a greater destructive power towards the harmful elements present on the soil to be weeded.

Advantageously, each emission unit 5 comprises at least one electronic board 14 operatively connected to at least one emitter element 6. In this specific case there is a plurality of electronic boards 14 which are conveniently positioned in the proximity of the emitter elements 6 and, specifically, each emitter element 6 is associated with a single electronic board 14.

The electronic boards 14 are electronically associated with the management and control unit 3, without the interposition of further intermediate electrical devices and are adapted to allow the operation of the emitter elements 6.

With reference to the particular embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 7, the electronic boards 14 are made up of printed circuits operated by microprocessor technology and high power transistors.

Conveniently, the management and control unit 3 comprises at least one electric unit 15 connected to the power supply unit 4 and configured to supply electrical energy to the emission units 5.

The power supply unit 4 is an energy generator which, through the combustion of a fuel, produces energy which supplies the apparatus 1 with a suitable supply voltage, allowing it to operate.

With reference to the particular embodiment shown in the Figures 1 to 7, the fuel used in the power supply unit 4 is of the biodiesel or agricultural diesel type.

Alternative embodiments cannot however be ruled out wherein the fuel is of a different type, such as LPG.

More specifically, the power supply unit 4 is connected to the irradiation assembly 2 and provides power energy to the emitter elements 6 which can thus generate the microwaves.

At the same time, the power supply unit 4 is connected to the electric unit 15 and supplies it with electricity.

In particular, the electric unit 15 distributes this electricity supply to the electronic boards 14, ensuring their operation.

In the particular embodiment shown in the figures, the electric unit 15 is an electric panel.

Advantageously, the management and control unit 3 comprises at least one logic unit 16 configured to manage the operation of the emission units 5.

The logic unit 16 is operationally connected to each electronic board 14 and is adapted to manage the operation thereof through the use of software.

With reference to a possible embodiment, the logic unit 16 is a programmable logic controller, i.e. a PLC.

The logic unit 16, through the electronic boards 14, manages the operation of the emitter elements 6, modulating, in particular, the production of microwaves according to the needs of the operator.

More specifically, through the logic unit 16 it is possible to reduce or increase the quantity of microwaves produced by operating on the productivity level of the emitter elements 6 according to the heating level which the operator wants to obtain on the soil.

In this regard, the fact is underlined that, depending on the type of plant and its vegetative stage, it is necessary to invest the plants with an electromagnetic field of different intensity, which can, that is, be modulated through the logic unit 16.

If the plants are in the young vegetative stage, i.e. they have emerged from the soil about 20 - 25 days previously, it is sufficient to expose the plants to a heat of about 90 - 95 °C for about 2 seconds.

If, on the other hand, the plants are in an advanced vegetative stage, it is sufficient to expose them to a heat of about 100 - 105 °C for about 3 seconds. The apparatus 1 conveniently comprises:

first connection means 17 adapted to allow the connection between the management and control unit 3 and the irradiation assembly 2; and second connection means 18 adapted to facilitate the electrical connection between the power supply unit 4 and the irradiation assembly 2.

Usefully, the apparatus 1 can comprise at least one remote control for switching the irradiation assembly 2 on/off. In particular, such remote control can be used by the operator to switch off the irradiation assembly 2 during the maneuvers and to switch it on once the area to be irradiated has been reached.

More specifically, the first connection means 17 comprise a plurality of first cables 19 which enable the connection between the logic unit 16 and the electronic boards 14.

More specifically, each first cable 19 is connected to the logic unit 16 and to a single electronic board 14, thus permitting the transfer of the operating signals to each electronic board 14.

This way it is possible to manage each electronic board 14 and consequently the operation of each emitter element 6 independently from the other emitter elements 6.

The second connection means 18 comprise a plurality of second cables which permit transferring the power energy produced by the power supply unit 4 to the emitter elements 6.

The apparatus 1 conveniently comprises at least one supporting frame 20.

The supporting frame 20 comprises a bedplate 21 and the irradiation assembly 2, the power supply unit 4 and the management and control unit 3 are conveniently associated with the bedplate 21.

In the particular embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 7, the bedplate 21 comprises tubular elements associated with each other to form a holding structure.

The supporting frame 20 conveniently comprises hooking means 22 adapted to associate with towing means 23 of the apparatus 1.

According to a possible embodiment, the hooking means 22 comprise a plate protruding from the bedplate 21, comprising a hole which can be associated with a suitable hook comprised in the towing means 23.

In the particular embodiment shown in the Figures 1 to 7, the towing means 23 comprise an agricultural tractor.

Alternative embodiments cannot however be ruled out wherein the towing means 23 are of a different type.

The supporting frame 20 usefully comprises shock-absorbing means 24 of the irradiation assembly 2.

The shock-absorbing means 24 comprise a plurality of connecting rods 25, associated moving with the bedplate 21 and adapted to connect the irradiation assembly 2 to the bedplate 21.

Furthermore, the shock-absorbing means 24 comprise a shock-absorbing element 26 adapted to position itself between the bedplate 21 and the connecting rods 25.

In the particular embodiment shown in the illustrations the shock-absorbing element 26 is a spring.

The shock-absorbing means 24 are adapted to limit the oscillations and the vibrations that can affect the irradiation assembly 2 during its movement on the soil to be weeded, especially in the case where the soil to be weeded is partly ploughed and/or not completely leveled.

Advantageously, the apparatus 1 comprises at least one cooling assembly 27 associated with the irradiation assembly 2 and adapted to cool the emission units 5.

The cooling assembly 27 is conveniently associated with the supporting frame 20 and is adapted to convey a cooling fluid inside the housing compartment 12 to contact the emission units 5.

In this regard, it is specified that the emitter elements 6 and the electronic boards 14 need to be constantly cooled in order to be able to operate properly and in a lasting way.

In fact, the process of generating microwaves determines the production of large quantities of heat which accumulate inside the housing compartment 12. The cooling assembly 27 conveniently comprises:

at least one ventilation device 28 adapted to move the cooling fluid;

joining means 29 associated with the irradiation assembly 2 and adapted to convey the cooling fluid from the ventilation device 28 to the housing compartment 12.

In the particular embodiment shown in the illustrations, the ventilation device 28 comprises a fan and is connected to the power supply unit 4, which provides it with suitable power energy for its operation.

According to a preferred embodiment, the cooling fluid is air taken from the environment surrounding the apparatus 1 by the ventilation device 28 and then sent to the housing compartment 12 through the joining means 29.

The joining means 29 comprise tubular elements which allow the transfer of the cooling fluid from the outside to the inside of the housing compartment 12. Usefully, the container 13 does not have any openings to limit the outflow of the cooling fluid from the housing compartment 12 towards the outside.

Advantageously, the irradiation assembly 2 comprises at least one conveyor element 30 adapted to capture the cooling fluid and direct it onto the emission units 5.

In the particular embodiment shown in the Figures 1 to 7, the irradiation assembly 2 comprises a plurality of conveyor elements 30.

In particular, each emission unit 5 is associated with a respective conveyor element 30.

More specifically, each conveyor element 30 is shaped like a parallelepiped adapted to enclose an emission unit 5 inside it and has an opening at the top to allow the inflow of the cooling fluid.

This way the cooling fluid which has entered the housing compartment 12 is directed onto the emitter elements 6 and onto the electronic boards 14 thus making it possible to cool them.

Usefully, the ventilation device 28 is configured to create a pressure inside the housing compartment 12 such as to facilitate the release of any vapor created during irradiation.

Conveniently, the cooling assembly 27 comprises filtering means 31 associated with the ventilation device 28 and adapted to filter the cooling fluid at inlet of the ventilation device 28.

The filtering means 31 retain any impurities present in the cooling fluid that could damage the emission units 5 and the ventilation device 28.

In particular, in the event of the cooling fluid being air, this may contain fine dust or pollutants that could damage the emission units 5.

Figure 8 shows a second embodiment of the apparatus 1, wherein components identical to the first embodiment have the same reference numbers as the first embodiment, to the detailed description of which full reference should be made. The second embodiment differs from the first mainly due to the fact that the apparatus 1 comprises two irradiation assemblies 2, each associated with its own power supply unit 4 and its own management and control unit 3.

Likewise each irradiation assembly 2 is associated with its own cooling assembly 27.

As shown in Figure 8, the apparatus 1 made according to the second embodiment comprises two diffuser bodies 7 which allow operating simultaneously on a larger portion of the soil, compared to what is allowed by the apparatus 1 shown in Figures 1 to 7.

In particular, the apparatus 1 in Figure 8 permits the simultaneous weeding of the portions of soil comprised between two rows of a vineyard.

Figure 9 shows a third embodiment of the apparatus 1, wherein components identical to the first embodiment, have the same reference numerals as the first embodiment, to the detailed description of which full reference should be made. The third embodiment differs from the first due to the fact that the apparatus 1 comprises manual movement means 32 which are adapted to allow an operator to tow the apparatus 1 manually.

The manual movement means 32 comprises a gripping element 33, which has a substantially tubular shape and is hinged at one end to the bedplate 21.

The gripping element 33 comprises at the opposite end to the first end at least one grip to enable the operator to hold it.

The manual movement means 32 comprise a plurality of wheels 34, associated below with the bedplate 21.

In the third embodiment, the use of towing means 23 is not envisaged, but the movement of the apparatus 1 is carried out manually by an operator.

The apparatus 1 of Figure 9 can be used, e.g., to weed soils comprised in areas near pavements or to weed soils in flower beds or to eliminate any harmful elements present on roads.

The operation of the apparatus according to the invention is substantially as follows.

The emitter elements 6 generate microwaves which cross the conveying means 11 which concentrate them inside the diffuser body 7.

The diffuser body 7 directs the microwaves produced by the emitter elements 6 towards the diffusion port 8 which in turn carries them onto the soil to be weeded, thus killing the harmful elements present on the soil.

The diffuser body 7 concentrates all the microwaves produced by all the emitter elements 6 generating a very intense electromagnetic field which makes it possible to kill many harmful elements at the same time in just a few seconds.

In particular, the effect of microwaves on weeds can be seen by the operator in a few seconds, inasmuch as the plants collapse, losing their internal sap, and at the same time change color, assuming a darker coloring.

The sudden change of color of the treated plants enables the operator to verify the effectiveness of the treatment on a treated area and to move on to treat a subsequent portion of the soil to be weeded.

This way, the operator can easily establish a correct speed of forward movement on the soil to be weeded in order to obtain a good weeding level.

The presence of a plurality of electronic boards 14 directly associated with each emitter element 6 makes it possible to adjust the intensity of the electromagnetic field generated by the microwaves.

In particular, the operator works on the management and control unit 3, adjusting the intensity of the electromagnetic field according to the type of plant present on the soil to be weeded and according to its vegetative stage.

It has in practice been ascertained that the described invention achieves the intended objects.

In particular, the fact is underlined that the apparatus for the weeding of soils makes it possible to significantly speed up soil weeding activity.

In fact, the presence of a plurality of emission units makes it possible to simultaneously produce a large quantity of microwaves that generate a powerful electromagnetic field which, thanks to the diffuser body, is concentrated and then directed onto a portion of the soil to be weeded, thus destroying the harmful elements in just a few seconds.

Furthermore, the invention allows significantly reducing the environmental impact of the weeding activity inasmuch as no harmful pollutants accumulate in the soil and at the same time allows reducing the exposure of operators to agents harmful to health.

In addition, the use of microwaves makes it possible to reduce the frequency of weeding, inasmuch as the microwaves also come into contact with the deeper layers of the soil, thus slowing down the re-growth of weeds and fungal pathogens.

Again, the microwaves manage to destroy harmful elements belonging to species of very different nature, allowing the use of the apparatus according to the invention in environments which differ considerably the one from the other.

Claims

1) Apparatus (1) for the weeding of soils, comprising:

at least one irradiation assembly (2) adapted to generate microwaves and to convey them onto a soil to be weeded;

- at least one management and control unit (3) of said apparatus (1);

at least one power supply unit (4) connected to said irradiation assembly (2) and to said management and control unit (3) and adapted to generate supply energy of said apparatus (1);

characterized by the fact that said irradiation assembly (2) comprises:

- a plurality of emission units (5) of said microwaves comprising each at least one emitter element (6) adapted to generate said microwaves;

at least one diffuser body (7) of said microwaves associated with said emission units (5) and provided with at least one diffusion port (8) oriented towards said soil to be weeded, said diffuser body (7) being adapted to convey said microwaves towards said diffusion port (8).

2) Apparatus (1) according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that said emission units (5) comprise at least one electronic board (14) operatively connected to at least one emitter element (6), said electronic board (14) being electronically associated with said management and control unit (3).

3) Apparatus (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said management and control unit (3) comprises at least one electric unit (15) connected to said power supply unit (4) and configured to supply electrical energy to said emission units (5).

4) Apparatus (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said management and control unit (3) comprises at least one logic unit (16) configured to manage the operation of said emission units (5).

5) Apparatus (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that it comprises:

- first connection means (17) adapted to allow the connection between said management and control unit (3) and said irradiation assembly (2); and second connection means (18) adapted to facilitate the electrical connection between said power supply unit (4) and said irradiation assembly (2).

6) Apparatus (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that it comprises at least one supporting frame (20), said irradiation assembly (2), said power supply unit (4) and said management and control unit (3) being associated with said supporting frame (20).

7) Apparatus (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said supporting frame (20) comprises hooking means (22) adapted to associate with towing means (23) of said apparatus (1). 8) Apparatus (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said emission units (5) are arranged to form at least one row (F).

9) Apparatus (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said diffuser body (7) has a substantially frusto- conical and divergent conformation according to the direction of approach to said diffusion port (8).

10) Apparatus (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said diffuser body (7) comprises at least one upper face (9) opposed to said diffusion port (8) and comprising a plurality of holes (10).

11) Apparatus (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said emission units (5) comprise conveying means (11) adapted to being interposed between said emitter elements (6) and said upper face (9) passing through said holes (10), said conveying means (11) being adapted to convey said microwaves towards said diffusion port (8).

12) Apparatus (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said irradiation assembly (2) comprises at least one housing compartment (12) adapted to contain said emission units (5).

13) Apparatus (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said irradiation assembly (2) comprises at least one container (13) associated with said upper face (9) and defining said housing compartment (12).

14) Apparatus (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that it comprises at least one cooling assembly (27) associated with said irradiation assembly (2) and adapted to cool said emission units (5).

15) Apparatus (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said cooling assembly (27) is associated with said supporting frame (20) and is adapted to convey at least one cooling fluid inside said housing compartment (12) to contact said emission units (5).

16) Apparatus (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said cooling assembly (27) comprises:

at least one ventilation device (28) adapted to move said cooling fluid;

joining means (29) associated with said irradiation assembly (2) and adapted to convey said cooling fluid from said ventilation device (28) to said housing compartment (12).

17) Apparatus (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said cooling assembly (27) comprises filtering means (31) associated with said ventilation device (28) and adapted to filter said cooling fluid at inlet of said ventilation device (28).

18) Apparatus (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said irradiation assembly (2) comprises at least one conveyor element (30) adapted to capture said cooling fluid and directing it onto said emission units (5).