Real time tree row volume estimation for efficient application of phytosanitary products in fruit trees

Fruit cultivation in Uruguay are done mainly by small-scale producers, where a single sprayer is used for all the phytosanitary applications. For proper protection of the fruit trees, the broth concentration (the phytosanitary diluted in water) must be adjusted according to the volume of vegetation of the trees. In most farms, this concentration calibration is done once per year for the worst case scenario. Therefore, excessive doses of pesticides are applied to the trees with lower vegetative mass. This over application increases the cost of production and can also potentially pose risks for the consumers and/or environment. A low cost system adaptable to a standard sprayer capable of measuring the Tree Row Volume (TRV) in real time and adjusting the corresponding dose was developed. Initial field tests showed a reduction of between 30%-60% for different fruit trees, reducing the environmental risk of contamination, lowering cost and lowering the risk of pesticide residues on fruit for the final consumer. The system also includes a GPS, to deduct from the position the kind of tree to be sprayed and serving as a data logger for better traceability of past applications. Further research in the use of a multi-sensor solution, as well as extensive testing in real conditions is being conducted.