Environmentally-Dependent Application System (EDAS) for safer spray application in fruit growing

Abstract

SummaryWithin the ISAFRUIT Project, a Crop-Adapted Spray Application (CASA) system was developed to ensure precise, efficient, and safe spray applications in orchards, according to the actual needs of the crop and with respect for the environment. The system consisted of three sub-systems: (i) a Crop Health Sensor (CHS), identifying the heath status of the fruit crop; (ii) a Crop Identification System (CIS), identifying tree canopy size and density; and (iii) an Environmentally-Dependent Application System (EDAS), identifying environmental circumstances during spray applications. The EDAS system automatically adjusted spray application parameters such as droplet size and air flow velocity, depending on wind velocity and direction, and the position of the sprayer in relation to sensitive areas such as neighbouring orchards, surface water, drinking wells, and public-use sites, in order to protect these areas from contamination. On the sprayer controlled by the EDAS system, wind velocity and direction were measured using an ultrasonic anemometer, and sprayer position was determined by a Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS). Nozzles were altered automatically depending on wind conditions, in order to adjust the droplet size according to the level of drift risk. A novel fan construction allowed the supporting airflow to the left- and right-hand sections of the sprayer to be adjusted independently. This adjustment was done automatically, depending on wind conditions and on sprayer position. Field tests confirmed the intended performance of the sprayer controlled by the EDAS system.