The Rotostar is the Oliver Agro inter-plant weeder designed specifically for head-forming vegetable crops: lettuce, radicchio, cabbage, broccoli, beetroot, courgette. Thanks to a patented dual-rotor system, it works not only in the inter-row space but also in the inter-plant space — between one plant and the next on the same row — the most difficult point to reach mechanically without damaging the crop.
The Dual-Rotor System: How it Works
The Rotostar combines two types of rotors mounted on the same parallelogram:
- Rotoblizz / Rotovert hardened steel rotors — work within 1 cm of the plant in the inter-row, breaking the soil crust and uprooting inter-row weeds. Same proven technology as the Rotosark and Rotovert weeders.
- Rotostar flexible-tip rotors — the real innovation: flexible tips gently penetrate the inter-plant space, reaching weeds growing between one plant and the next on the same row without damaging leaves and roots.
This synergy covers the entire surface between rows — inter-row and inter-plant — in a single pass, maximising mechanical weeding effectiveness on head-forming crops.
Compatible Crops
The Rotostar is optimised for transplanted head-forming vegetable crops:
- Lettuce and salads (iceberg, romaine, lollo, etc.)
- Radicchio (Treviso, Chioggia, etc.)
- Cabbage (Savoy, round, broccoli, cauliflower)
- Beetroot
- Courgette and squash
- Artichoke
For head-forming crops requiring advanced automatic guidance (up to 90% of inter-plant space with AI camera), see also the Optyma 2.0.
Why Inter-Plant Weeding is the Main Challenge in Head-Forming Crops
In head-forming crops like lettuce and radicchio, weeds in the inter-plant space are the most difficult problem to solve mechanically. Traditional weeders work well in the inter-row but cannot approach the plant without risk of damage. The Rotostar solves this with flexible tips that adapt to the presence of the plant, working safely even within centimetres of the head.
Frequently Asked Questions on the Rotostar
What distinguishes the Rotostar from the Optyma 2.0 for head-forming crops?
Both work on head-forming crops but with different approaches. The Rotostar uses flexible-tip rotors to reach the inter-plant space mechanically. The Optyma 2.0 uses AI camera automatic guidance that recognises the plant collar and guides the machine up to 90% of the inter-plant space with absolute precision — the ideal choice for farms with large surfaces and high-value crops.
Can the Rotostar damage the leaves of head-forming crops?
No, if correctly adjusted. The Rotostar flexible-tip rotors are designed to deflect on contact with the plant, avoiding mechanical damage. Correct pressure and depth adjustment of the rotors is essential to find the optimal balance between weeding effectiveness and crop safety.
For which crops is the Rotostar not indicated?
The Rotostar is optimised for transplanted head-forming crops. For drilled narrow-row crops (carrot, onion, drilled lettuce) the Colibrì is more appropriate. For maize, soya and wide-row vegetables, the Rotosark.
Does the Rotostar also break the soil surface crust?
Yes. The Rotoblizz rotors integrated in the Rotostar also perform the crust-breaking function in the inter-row, improving gas exchange and facilitating water penetration — an additional benefit beyond simple weeding.
Discover the Rotostar in the Oliver Agro catalogue, or contact us to assess the most suitable solution for your head-forming crops.