Reduction of pesticide application via real-time precision spraying

Abstract

Farmers focus on reducing the cost of production and aim to increase profit. The objective of this study was to quantify the reduction of pesticides applied to soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) and maize (Zea mays L.) crops in several stages of the production cycle using a site-specific spraying application based on real-time sensors in the Brazilian Cerrado region. The sprayers were equipped with a precision spraying control system based on a real-time sensor. The spraying operations were performed not only for herbicide, but also for fungicide and insecticides applications. The maps recorded the percentage of the spray boom when the application was turned on (on/off spray system) with nozzle-to-nozzle control. The precision spraying system based on real-time sensors reduced the volume of pesticides (including herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides) applied to soybean and maize crops. There was a more significant reduction in the volume of pesticides applied post-emergence of the crops in the initial stages of soybean and maize when the crops had less leaf area or less foliage coverage between the rows. The cost reduction achieved using this technology was 2.3 times lower than the cost associated with pesticide application over the entire area using a conventional sprayer. Under the experimental conditions, there were no differences in the average crop yield, compared to the historical productivity of soybean and maize crops by applying this technology because the recommended doses were not affected and the site of application was limited to points where the presence of plants was present was detected.

Precision Chemical Weed Management Strategies: A Review and a Design of a New CNN-Based Modular Spot Sprayer

“…In cases where this is not practical, for example, due to the size of the field, it makes sense to adjust the spray boom. The height of the spray boom can be adjusted and the individual nozzles can be individually controlled and directed to the plant [73]. Certainly, new nozzles that can provide the appropriate dosage in the predefined flow will need to be developed.…”

“…Agricultural spraying machines already separate the spray boom into sections, and with the use of the current technology, activation of each nozzle separately is possible [73][74][75]. With the help of the ISOBUS, tractors can achieve a certain level of precision.…”

Why are there no widely successful microbial bioherbicides for weed management in crops?

“…The technology of precision agriculture, which uses real‐time weed identification by image analysis with artificial intelligence of specific weed species and deposits weed management products (herbicides and/or microbial bioherbicides) on the weed (and not the crop), is making great strides and will probably soon be used extensively in high‐value crops for which current weed management costs are large 69,70 . This technology may eventually also be extended to agronomic crop weed management 71 . Although the equipment for this will initially be expensive, this technology will significantly reduce the amount of herbicide used, whether chemical or microbial.…”

Plant growth promoting microbes with antibiotic resistance; can that be used together

“…In event of plant diseases, farmers tend to avert slow-acting antagonistic microbial cultures and rely on fast-acting synthetic pesticides to safeguard the yield (Zanin et al, 2022). A single application of such pesticide is enough to disrupt the plant probiotic microbes established in the eld over years.…”