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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Wooster, Ohio » Application Technology Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #280263
Title: Development of smart spray systems to enhance delivery of pesticides in field nursery production

Author
item Zhu, Heping
item OZKAN, ERDAL - THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY
item DERKSEN, RICHARD
item Reding, Michael - Mike
item Ranger, Christopher
item CANAS, LUIS - THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY
item KRAUSE, CHARLES
item LOCKE, JAMES
item ERNST, STANLY - THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY
item ZONDAG, RANDALL - THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY
item FULCHER, AMY - UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE
item ROSETTA, ROBIN - OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY
item JEON, HONG - DOW AGROSCIENCES
item CHEN, YU - THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY
item GU, JIABING - NANJING AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY
item LIU, HUI - THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY
item SHEN, YUE - THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY
item RIOS, ALFREDO - THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/14/2012
Publication Date: 8/5/2012
Citation: Zhu, H., Ozkan, E., Derksen, R.C., Reding, M.E., Ranger, C.M., Canas, L., Krause, C.R., Locke, J.C., Ernst, S., Zondag, R., Fulcher, A., Rosetta, R., Jeon, H.Y., Chen, Y., Gu, J., Liu, H., Shen, Y., Rios, A. 2012. Development of smart spray systems to enhance delivery of pesticides in field nursery production. Annual Meeting of the American Phytopathological Society. Meeting Abstract, August 5-8, 2012, Providence, Rhode Island. #173-P.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Two smart sprayer prototypes have been developed and are being evaluated with a goal of increasing pesticide application efficiency and minimizing environmental impact in field nursery production sites. The first prototype, a modified hydraulic vertical boom system, utilizes ultrasonic sensors to detect size and volume of liner-sized plants, and the second prototype is a air-assisted system utilizing a laser scanning sensor to measure plant structure and foliage density. Automatic controllers consisting of: a computer program, signal generation/ amplification unit, pulse width modulated solenoid valves with different algorithms/circuit designs, manipulate nozzles to produce variable-rate outputs based on target characteristics and occurrence in real time. Field tests comparing standard industry sprayers, using multiple target species, were conducted using spray deposition and coverage as criteria. Field tests evaluated insect and disease control (powdery mildew on Norway maple and aphids on red oak) and determined no difference between the smart and conventional sprayers. Laboratory and field tests demonstrated that both of the smart sprayer designs had the capacity to control spray outputs, matching canopy characteristics in real time, with the potential to drastically decrease pesticide usage thus reducing environmental impact and enhancing applicator safety.