On-Farm Evaluation of Prescription Map-Based Variable Rate Application of Pesticides in Vineyards

Javier Campos,Jordi Llop,Paula Ortega,Montserrat Gallart,Ramón Salcedo,Emilio Gil

doi:10.3390/agronomy10010102

Javier Campos, Jordi Llop + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10010102

Copy DOI

Journal: Agronomy	Publication Date: Jan 10, 2020
Citations: 33	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya

Abstract

Canopy characteristics are crucial for accurately and safely determining the pesticide quantity and volume of water used for spray applications in vineyards. The inevitably high degree of intraplot variability makes it difficult to develop a global solution for the optimal volume application rate. Here, the design procedure of, and the results obtained from, a variable rate application (VRA) sprayer are presented. Prescription maps were generated after detailed canopy characterization, using a multispectral camera embedded on an unmanned aerial vehicle, throughout the entire growing season in Torrelavit (Barcelona) in four vineyard plots of Chardonnay (2.35 ha), Merlot (2.97 ha), and Cabernet Sauvignonn (4.67 ha). The maps were obtained by merging multispectral images with information provided by DOSAVIÑA®, a decision support system, to determine the optimal volume rate. They were then uploaded to the VRA prototype, obtaining actual variable application maps after the application processes were complete. The prototype had an adequate spray distribution quality, with coverage values in the range of 20–40% and exhibited similar results in terms of biological efficacy on powdery mildew compared to conventional (and constant) application volumes. The VRA results demonstrated an accurate and reasonable pesticide distribution, with potential for reduced disease damage even in cases with reduced amounts of plant protection products and water.

Highlights

Pesticide spray application is one of the most important factors that influences all economic, environmental, and quality-related aspects of worldwide vineyard operations
Development of software and hardware to adapt a conventional sprayer into a Variable Rate data; (2) generation of prescription maps for variable spray application based on canopy maps; Application (VRA) sprayer; and (4) generation of actual application rate map and monitoring of the
These were obtained for each of the selected parcels from the spectral images taken from the multispectral camera that was mounted on the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)

Summary

Introduction

Pesticide spray application is one of the most important factors that influences all economic, environmental, and quality-related aspects of worldwide vineyard operations. Vineyards, with their grape-bearing vines and their relationship with wine production, are one of the crop-types of focus among the recently named “specialty crops” [1]. Risk, as a function of pesticide dose and harm to sensitive non-target areas, is related to (a) the spraying efficiency and (b) the amount of plant protection products (PPPs) used during the distribution process across the entire canopy. For orchard and vineyard applications, the various methods used to determine the most suitable amount of PPP and the corresponding application volume rate are often difficult to understand [3]

Objectives

Methods

Results