One year of OPTIMA!
Definition of optimal spray configuration and parameters for the different crop – disease – PPP combinations
Spray distribution measurements of the Inverter orchard sprayer from Pulverizadores Fede were performed with a vertical test bench from AAMS-Salvarani, containing 45 collectors spaced 0.1 m and equipped with an electronic measurement system. The laboratory trials, performed at the facilities of UPC by the Agricultural Machinery Unit, aimed to determine the optimum sprayer configuration for the apple crop. The reference axial fan sprayer Futur from Pulverizadores Fede was also tested for comparison.
Laboratory experiments carried out with artificial vegetation in order to select the configurations with optimal coverage, i.e. those that best suit the apple crop. Spray coverage was quantified using water sensitive papers, distributed at four heights and three canopy depths, and analyzed using image processing to select the most homogeneous treatments.
