First results of a VRT prototype sprayer equipped with IR sensors

A prototype of VRT sprayer based on IR sensors to identify the crop characteristics was tested in 2024. At the time of field trials, the sensors could recognise tree presence but not yet precisely quantify canopy characteristics. Hence, some experiments were carried out in different orchard conditions to verify the possibility to reduce the use of PPP when spraying tall trees, young plants and plant failures along the row. Moreover, deposition tests took place to compare the prototype performances in term of deposit profile on the trees and liquid losses on the ground. Even if the prototype sprayer and sensors were at a very preliminary version, the first results showed the potential of IR sensors in reducing off target ground losses (close to 30%). The average liquid saving varied from about 2%–20% with respect to the orchard conditions and spray forward speed, similarly to data available in literature for similar VRT technologies. On the other hand, it came out that it is necessary to increase the application precision by adjusting the prototype features to ensure a similar spray deposit on apple trees comparable to standard applications. For this reason, field tests are still ongoing to improve the spray deposition performances and make them equivalent to standards as to ensure a proper level of biological efficacy, which is essential in crop protection.