Projects / Programmes
Quality enhancement of pesticide application and drift reduction using nozzles and equipment to minimise impact to the environment
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 4.03.01 |
Biotechnical sciences |
Plant production |
Agricultural plants |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| B390 |
Biomedical sciences |
Phytotechny, horticulture, crop protection, phytopathology |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 4.01 |
Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences |
Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries |
pesticide application, permanent crops, drift, nozzles, environment, polution, GIS
Researchers (20)
Organisations (5)
Abstract
Application of plant protection products (PPP) in orchards, vineyards and hop fields is a complex agro-technical tasks due to the specificity of the plantation. When the protection against pests and diseases on these plantations is performed the spatial application of PPP is often necessary, which significantly increases the chance of drift outside the treated area especially during adverse weather conditions. The proposed content of the project have the aim to assess the current state of the spray technique (with an emphasis on permanent plantations) in Slovenia; to make a threat assessment for the water surface and on human population due to the PPP drift from permanent crops (fruit growing, viticulture, hop ) by exploiting GIS tools; to show advanced pesticide anti-drift management practices in EU countries; to identify the characteristics of different types of nozzles on the EU market with regard to the usefulness of incorporation into the various types of old and new devices for the application of PPP; to test biological efficacy of the pesticides when certain types of nozzles and devices for application of PPP is used; and the upper aimed to score goals to provide recommendations for agricultural policy measures .
The state of the PPP application devices will be assessed in terms of their ages and types, as well as presenting a risk that these devices pose to the environment. By analyzing the records of these devices we will determine the proportion of the equipment that are possible to renovate or are unacceptable from the standpoint of drift when work in plantations. Further, on GIS space we will quantitatively assess the risk (due to PPP drift) on water surface bodies and assess the exposure of the human population living in the area of influence of permanent plantations. Furthermore, we will set a fixed reference points for sampling of surface water quality as a basis for the continuous monitoring of pollution with PPP in the influence areas of vineyards, orchards and hop plantations. We will also assess the adequacy of current reference points and proposed placement of additional / alternate points. The project also has the purpose to standardize and harmonize spatial information of drift influences in accordance with the EU INSPIRE Directive.
As part of the review of anti-drift management practices carried out abroad we will analyze measures which do not form part of the measures prescribed by our laws. These are establishing different plant zones or fences, specific networks at the edges of plantations, crown design and row spacing in plantations, adapted application of PPP at the edges and the like. We will identify which of these practices are appropriate for Slovenia and the benefits when using these practices. Furthermore, we will review different types of anti-drift nozzles that are currently available on the European market, assess its usefulness and will describe difficulties of fitting them into devices for application of PPP . We will prepare the basis for categorization of nozzles according to the rate of reduction of drift, and further transfer the nozzle classification system from other countries into Slovenia. The same applies to devices for application of PPP. Analysis of the applicability of different devices to limit PPP drift and categorization of Slovenian devices according to the degree of drift reduction will be done.
In field experiments we will measure drift and quality of the deposit with various combinations of types of nozzles and spray devices, by using standard methods for measuring drift and for quantifying spray deposit on the plants. Field trials will be carried out on apple trees, vineyards, on hop and on onions. As a result of the project, the expertise will done and possibility to modernize the laws for regulations of pollution from the perspective of the application of PPP on plantations. We will form i) recommendations concerning the prevention of environmental pollution by f
Significance for science
The research results will contribute to increasing the knowledge regarding the interactive effects between types of nozzles and types of devices for the application of PPP, knowledge on drift reduction and on degree of efficiency of pest control. The study will show the negative side effects of using anti-drift nozzles on the effectiveness of pest and pointed to cases where different spraying devices and individual types of nozzles are not compatible with the implementation of specific suppression of harmful organisms in plantations. Research content will contribute to the knowledge of modeling the dispersion of aerosols in agricultural ecosystems and influential areas that cover the surface of water. They will complement the skills that are important for the implementation of measures mitigating the effects of drift. The research agendas will accelerate modeling in agri-environmental sciences. Important contribution to human health sciences will be done through spatial and quantitative assessment of PPP drift exposure to near living human population. Optimizing the prototype of a selective sprayer for the application of PPP on an individual tree basis will contribute to the development of visualization tools and algorithms for digital identification of certain physiological conditions of plants in permanent plantations.
Significance for the country
Planned activities of the project in the short and long term, contribute to a better state of the environment as a result of agricultural activities. The main purpose of the project is the preparation of concrete substrates to improve the situation in the field of environmental pollution by pesticides. First, we can highlight recommendations for preparing the basis of regulations (by-laws) that are listed in the Law on PPP, the regulation on the Water management plan for the Danube and the Adriatic Sea and national action plan in the shortest possible time to be adopted in Slovenia. The results of our project will be clear enough to be able to serve as a basis for further agricultural policy measures in this field: - Recommendation / proposal to amend the legal acts which relate to the prevention of environmental pollution, or could lead to the improvement of the chemical and ecological status of surface water and groundwater; - Recommendations on possible adaptations of older devices for the application of pesticides in plantations to reduce drift and assessments regarding the purchase of new equipment in the permanent plantations on different cultures and varied terrain (slopes, near water, urban environment,...). These are examples of assessment with regard to tunnel spraying, regardless of sprayers with air support, according turbine sprayers with a hose rectifiers,.... - Make recommendations to buy nozzles (for growers) and for inclusion in the official lists of equipment in which it recognizes certain level of drift reduction; - Drafting a proposal for stimulating the purchase and routine maintenance of sprayers under the local and / or national mechanisms in this field; At the same time the results of the project will be applied to the education and training of users of plant protection products, agricultural extension services, traders, and all others associated with the protection of plants and the use of PPP. The project will result in an improved situation regarding the management of PPP drift on the ground and consequently fewer burdens on the environment with pesticide residues. It also assumes a lower level of conflict between farmers and non-farm public on environmental pollution questions.
Most important scientific results
Annual report
2015,
final report
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Annual report
2015,
final report
