Terroir 2020 banner
IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 International Terroir Conferences 9 Terroir 2020 9 History and innovation of terroir 9 Taking advantage of difficulties. Variable rate application based on canopy maps to achieve a sustainable crop

Taking advantage of difficulties. Variable rate application based on canopy maps to achieve a sustainable crop

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this work was to evaluate the use of Variable Rate Application technologies based on prescription maps in commercial vineyards with large intra-parcel variability to achieve a more sustainable distribution of Plant Protection Products (PPP).

Methods and Results: Eight vineyard plots on three Spanish wineries (Jean Leon, Viñas del Vero and Martín Códax) were selected. In all of these plots, a Variable Rate Application (VRA) system was implemented during the whole season. A UAV flew over plots at three different crop stages (BBCH 60, 75 and 81) in order to generate the corresponding canopy maps. For this process, a multispectral camera with five spectral bands (Red, Green, Blue, NIR and RedEdge) was embedded on the UAV. In order to obtain a vigor map, the NDVI vegetative index was calculated and aggregated at three different levels (low, medium and high vigor). The three different vigor zones were validated by manual measurements of canopy height and canopy width in the three defined zones. Generated canopy maps were transformed into application prescription maps using the DSS DOSAVIÑA®. Prescription maps were uploaded into the VRA sprayer that works as follows: 1) determining its GPS position on the plot, 2) getting the objective volume rate from the prescription map considering the GPS position, 3) reading the actual spraying pressure, 4) readjusting the spraying pressure to the objective volume rate 5) recording, every second, actual data about forward speed, pressure, volume rate and prescribing a volume rate and 6) generating an actual application map with the recorded data. The actual application maps obtained allows comparison with the VRA technology versus the conventional spray application. Preliminary data demonstrated a 20% savings both, on pesticide amount and on water volume, resulting also in a more profitable time consumption. Biological efficacy evaluation demonstrated no differences in control, only an increase in the efficiency of pesticide application and a reduction in environmental contamination risk.

Conclusions:

This work demonstrates in the success of PPP application using VRA technologies. The system was able to maintain or even increase the spray distribution quality in the whole canopy structure, reducing losses to the ground and cutting down drift by adjusting the optimal amount of liquid according the canopy characteristics. As in all cases PPP concentration was maintained following the pesticide label recommendations, the VRA system reduced the total amount of PPP per hectare. All together effective pest/disease control was maintained.

Significance and Impact of the Study: The PPP application requires accuracy, as imprecise or excessive use can lead to serious problems such as environmental pollution, traces of pesticides in food, and health issues in humans. The high degree of intra-parcel variability in the vineyard crop makes it difficult to determine a suitable solution for all areas of the plot. A more sustainable use of PPP will reduce the total amount of pesticides used, reduce the environmental contamination risk and increase food quality.

DOI:

Publication date: March 23, 2021

Issue: Terroir 2020

Type: Video

Authors

Javier Campos1, José Mª Ayuso2, Mireia Torres3, Miguel Tubío4, Emilio Gil1*

1DEAB – Universitat Politécnica de Catalunya – Castelldefels (Barcelona), Spain
2 Viñas del Vero -Winery – DO Somontano, Spain
3 Familia Torres- Jean Leon Winery, DO Penedes, Spain
4Bodega Martín Códax, DO Rias Baixas, Spain

Contact the author

Keywords

Variable rate application, vineyard, prescription map, unmanned aerial vehicle, DOSAVIÑA

Tags

IVES Conference Series | Terroir 2020

Citation

Related articles…

Significance of factors making Riesling an iconic grape variety

Riesling is the iconic grape variety of Germany and accounts for 23% of the German viticulture acreage, which comprises 45% of the worldwide Riesling plantings. Riesling wines offer a wide array of styles from crisp sparkling wines to highly concentrated and sweet Trockenbeerenauslese or Icewines. However, its thin berry skin makes Riesling more vulnerable to detrimental environmental threats than other white wine varieties.  

Malolactic fermentation in wine production

What influence do these bacteria have on wines? What new bacteria are being studied to carry out this fermentation? Find below articles about malolactic fermentation published in our 3 media (OENO One, IVES Technical Reviews and IVES Conference Series). OENO One...

Metabolomics screening of Vitis sp. interspecific hybrids to select natural ingredients with cosmetic purposes

Introducing natural ingredients using green chemistry practices is a major challenge in cosmetics industry to follow the market trend. Among the plants of cosmetic interest, vine products show a remarkable diversity of natural substances with high potential for the cosmetic and dermatological sectors. To date, research focuses on well-known compounds like E-resveratrol and E-ε-viniferin,

WAC 2022: Abstracts are available on IVES Conference Series

In order to disseminate the scientific results presented during the WAC 2022 , the organizers have decided to share the abstracts of the oral communications and posters with Open Access on IVES Conference Series. The fifth edition of the International Conference...

Winemaking techniques and wine tasting methods at the end of the Middle Ages

Les pratiques de vinification et de dégustation du vin sont souvent perçues, à travers un discours marketing très puissant, sous l’angle d’une tradition millénaire qui perdure depuis le Moyen Âge. En Bourgogne, il est courant de rattacher les racines de ces pratiques à l’activité des institutions ecclésiastiques qui possédaient d