Pest management control of olive fruit fly (Bactrocera oleae) based on a location-aware agro-environmental system

Abstract

This paper investigates the effectiveness of a mobile agro-environmental Location Aware System (LAS) in ground spray applications against olive fruit fly, under real conditions. It aims to the specific needs of pest management control, by means of combining the olive fruit fly population dynamics, the meteorological conditions during the sprayings, the spatiotemporal characteristics of the spraying areas, as well as the environmental sensitive and inhabitant areas located near the spraying areas. From a moderate-scale field experiment conducted for evaluation purposes, the duration of sprays, the amount of spray solution applied and efficacy were statistically analyzed. Results show that the LAS is able to reduce the amount of spraying solution by performing sprays only when and where are really needed. The protection of environmental and inhabitant areas is also achieved, by avoiding off-target sprays. The LAS is able to decrease the duration of the sprayings, minimizing their cost and the possibility of canceling a spray application due to meteorological conditions. The acquisition of the spatiotemporal data during the sprays is able to provide agrotraceability systems with useful information about the olive products. In conclusion, the proposed LAS is shown to be a useful tool for olive farmers, scientists or organizations that can increase the efficacy and decrease the cost of moderate scale pesticide treatments from ground and avoid effects on environmental protected or domestic areas.