In the framework of OPTIMA H2020 project, a freely accessible DSS has been developed and is accessible in http://dss.optima-h2020.eu/. Pathogens incorporated into the tool are the following, Alternaria leaf blight for carrots, Downy mildew for vineyards, and Apple scab for apple orchards in Spain (Aragon region), France (Bordeaux region), Italy (Piemonte region) and Greece (Thessaly, Evia and Attica regions). The DSS provides users with a 5-day prediction, in an escalation step of 3 hours, of disease outbreak based on meteorological data, which is presented in a coloured interactive map, based on the risk level: Green for no risk (0%), Yellow for low risk, Orange for medium risk, and Red for maximum risk (~100%). Thus, producers and other stakeholders operating in the agricultural production sector and carrot production can freely access this early prediction system, and consequently organize the agricultural applications such as spraying applications for their cultivations. This tool enables fast decision-taking that leads to reduced qualitative and quantitative product degradation and yield loss that may derive by severe disease outburst. The additional benefits are the reduced and more cost-effective use of PPPs, the lower residues and the reduced environmental and human health impacts that derive from the over-use of PPPs during spraying applications that may not be needed or/and effective.
The Micromax uses Controlled Droplet Application (CDA) offering a faster and cost-effective method for blanket applications. By producing the spray droplet sizes (3 available) appropriate for the particular application, the Micromax significantly reduces spray volumes and costs as well as minimizing the risk of environmental contamination. It is electrically driven and can be powered by using the vehicle battery. Designed for boom sprayers and ATVs.
The Electrafan is an air-assisted spinning disc sprayer that has been designed for low and ultra-low volume application of insecticides and fungicides in areas with little or no natural air movement, the Electrafan range is highly suitable for spot spraying in glasshouses, and polytunnels. The product requires no pumping and is available in either battery- or mains- powered versions.
The Herbidome 350 is a shielded CDA sprayer suitable for a wide range of weed control applications from fruit orchards and vineyards to amenity and forestry. It offers efficient weed control with labour savings over knapsack sprayers and its shielded design minimises the risk of spray drift.
The Herbidome 600 is a shielded sprayer, which incorporates CDA technology, commonly used for weed control in Christmas trees and row crops for post emergent herbicides. Its shielded design mitigates the risk of drift and, the use of low water volumes, means that the number of mixing and filling operations is reduced, improving operator safety.
The Herbi 4 incorporates Controlled Droplet Application (CDA) technology, enabling users to reduce application rates and minimise spray drift. As lower water volumes can be used with the Herbi-4, the number of mixing and filling operations is reduced and offers benefits to operator safety.
It can use CDA formulations or traditional water-based products at total spray volumes of only 10-30 litres/hectare. The consistently large spray droplets of around 250 micron minimise any risk of spray drift and fall in a precise 1.2m wide circular spray pattern.
The Herbiflex 4 incorporates Controlled Droplet Application (CDA) technology, enabling users to reduce application rates and minimise spray drift. As lower water volumes can be used with the Herbiflex-4, the number of mixing and filling operations is reduced and offers benefits to operator safety. The Herbiflex 4's shielded head design allows for narrow band spraying of strips of weeds as well as for weed control in between crop rows. The A90 head produces an adjustable 10-50cm band width whereas the B120 head is capable is spraying between 15 and 75cm. An optional spray shield is available with the A90 model for spraying sensitive crops.
