The Dragon delivery system is mounted to a tractor and pulled at a precise speed through the field to deliver the required dose. The optimal dose and schedule will vary for different crop and pathogen systems. When designing for a new crop-pathogen system, the optimal procedure is determined through a combination of laboratory and field studies to ensure that disease severity is reduced while minimizing damage to the crop. This is being developed by the Lighting Research Center (LRC) in the USA (information online at https://lightandplanthealth.org/dragon.html). The LRC is part of a university and not a manufacturer, nor are we selling these units. The website includes plans where farmers could construct their own units to use and evaluate if they wish, and the arrays are being used and tested in ongoing research with farmers.
The Dragon delivery system is usually mounted to a tractor but has also been adapted to small carts that have a timer for proper dosing and replacement lamps every 8 to 10 years, depending upon the frequency of use.
Safety training is recommended for use with UV-C light, only low-skilled individuals needed following proper safety training and instructions on tractor speed
Not available in Europe as a commercial product
Common materials used: steel, bolts, etc.: 500 euro
UV-C lights estimated price: 1500 - 2000 euro
Total estimate: 5000 euro
The agencies that funded the research leading to the development of this 'Dragon' array were the New York Farm Viability Institute (NYFVI) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Contact email address for Prof. Mark Rea who led the team (email: Mark.Rea@mountsinai.org) and a link to the Light and Health Research Center (http://icahn.mssm.edu/lhrc) where the members of this team now work and which is currently continuing with the study, development and testing of the 'Dragon' unit.
The website includes plans where you can construct your own units to use.
Person needed for operating the tractor and implement
Accuracy can only be achieved for different crops by proper dosing for the pathogen without phototoxicity to the host
