Design and Testing of an Ultrasound System for Targeted Spraying in Orchards

The research aims to demonstrate the basic system elements of a prototype automated orchard sprayer, which can deliver pesticide spray selectively with respect to the characteristics of the targets. The contour of the apple tree canopy was detected by ultra sound sensors Prowave 400EP14D and appropriate electronics. Ultra sound signal was processed by a personal computer and fed in real-time to spraying nozzles which open and close in relation to the canopy structure. The current project focuses on developing the system components for spraying an individual tree. The evaluation was performed in field experiments by detecting deposits on leaves and water sensitive papers (WSP). The demonstrated concept of precise application of pesticide sprays supports a decrease in the amount of delivered spray, thereby reducing both costs and environmental pollution by plant protection products.

[1]  G. M. Richardson,et al.  Spray deposits and losses in different sized apple trees from an axial fan orchard sprayer: 3. Effects of air volumetric flow rate , 2001 .

[2]  G. Pergher,et al.  RECOVERY RATE OF TRACER DYES USED FOR SPRAY DEPOSIT ASSESSMENT , 2001 .

[3]  Richard J. Wangler,et al.  Application of smart submunition technology to agribusiness , 1993, Other Conferences.

[4]  T. B. Sutton,et al.  Evaluation of the tree-row-volume concept with density adjustments in relation to spray deposits in apple orchards , 1984 .

[5]  Matjaz Eberlinc,et al.  Influence of Blade Deformation on Integral Characteristic of Axial Flow Fan , 2008 .

[6]  A. Escolà,et al.  An Electronic Control System for Pesticide Application Proportional to the Canopy Width of Tree Crops , 2006 .

[7]  G. Pergher,et al.  Pesticide Dose Adjustment in Vineyard Spraying and Potential for Dose Reduction , 2008 .

[8]  Rino Gubiani,et al.  Foliar deposition and pesticide losses from three air-assisted sprayers in a hedgerow vineyard , 1997 .

[9]  T. B. Sutton,et al.  Evaluation of the Tree-Row-Volume Model for Full-Season Pesticide Application on Apples , 1988 .

[10]  G. M. Richardson,et al.  IT—Information Technology and the Human Interface: Comparison of Different Spray Volume Deposition Models Using LIDAR Measurements of Apple Orchards , 2002 .

[11]  A. Escolà,et al.  Variable rate application of plant protection products in vineyard using ultrasonic sensors , 2007 .

[12]  Enrique Moltó,et al.  Design and testing of an automatic machine for spraying at a constant distance from the tree canopy. , 2000 .

[13]  G. Doruchowski,et al.  Method of evaluation of spray deposit and coverage on artificial targets , 2002 .