A new alternative to determine weed control in agricultural systems based on artificial neural networks (ANNs)

•The use of RNAs was tested to estimate the beginning of weed control considering model crops.•The ANN-MLP models were efficient in determining the ideal moment for weed control.•RNAs allow us to estimate the beginning of weed control.•Combined non-destructive and destructive entries do not require other, more specific entries.•The period is the main factor that interferes with the degree of weed interference in sesame and melon.