Terroir 2020 banner
IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 International Terroir Conferences 9 Terroir 2020 9 History and innovation of terroir 9 DOSAVIÑA® A new app for a more sustainable use of plant protection products in vineyard

DOSAVIÑA® A new app for a more sustainable use of plant protection products in vineyard

Abstract

Aims: DOSAVIÑA® was developed with the aim of helping farmers to determine optimal volume rates for spray applications in vineyards. The final developed tool is a good example of bringing research to end users. 

Methods and Results: DOSAVIÑA® is based on a modified method of Leaf Wall Area (LWA) and includes a tool for sprayer calibration support. Calibration process is highlighted in the APP, as one of the conditions for a good success of the entire process. DOSAVIÑA® also calculates the optimal parameters for working pressure, forward speed, and number and type of nozzles. DOSAVIÑA® was developed by the Unit of Agricultural Machinery at the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, and is available for iOS and Android, and also web (https://dosavina.upc.edu). The system, based on a modified version of the leaf wall area (LWA) method, calculates the optimal volume rate for vineyards considering leaf density, canopy width, and sprayer type. Results indicated that water and pesticide use could be reduced by more than 20% while still meeting economic, environmental, and food quality requirements. The design of the tool is aligned with European requirements concerning pesticide use, as established in the European Directive for the sustainable use of pesticides. In the majority of cases, the recommended volumes obtained after using DOSAVIÑA® are lower than those commonly selected by the farmers. This fact, coupled with a dose expression method based on concentration, leads to a consequent reduction in pesticide amounts, in line with the main objective established in Europe after the official publication of the Sustainable Use Directive (EU, 2009). The sprayer adjustment tool included in DOSAVIÑA® represents a convenient complement to the establishment of the optimal volume rate. The automated calculation process allows selection of the most suitable values for the most important parameters, particularly working pressure. Results of field trials demonstrated that an accurate calibration process allows similar levels of coverage to be obtained, even with low spray volumes. 

Conclusion: 

The APP, has been shown to reduce fungicide use by up to 20%. This fact translates not only into significant time savings and higher working capacity, aspects highly valued by the producer, but also an economic benefit and a reduction in the risk of environmental contamination, not only due to the reduction in fungicide used, but also due to the use of the equipment in optimal conditions. 

Significance and Impact of the Study: The social impact generated by the application, especially in the productive sector has been demonstrated. DOSAVIÑA® is also a tool included in the training programs that is especially for the European Commission through CHAFEA, in the BTSF – Best Training for Safer Food.

DOI:

Publication date: March 23, 2021

Issue: Terroir 2020

Type: Video

Authors

Emilio Gil*, Javier Campos, Jordi Llop

Department of Agri-Food Engineering and Biotechnology
Esteve Terradas, 8 – 08860 Castelldefels (Barcelona), Spain
Universitat Politécnica de Catalunya

Contact the author

Keywords

DOSAVIÑA®, optimal vineyard spray rates, plant protection products

Tags

IVES Conference Series | Terroir 2020

Citation

Related articles…

Influence of grapes origin and yeast strain on aroma profile of corvina and corvinone dry passito wines

Valpolicella is a wine region characterized by a wide use of the technology of grape drying for the production of two red passito wines, recognized as PDOs, “Recioto della Valpolicella” and the most famous “Amarone della Valpolicella”. Geographical origin of the grapes can influence wine composition by grape chemical composition yeast behaviour during fermentation. This study investigates the impact of different commercial yeast strains on aroma profiles of wines produced with withered grapes of different origins. In addition, the influence of spontaneous fermentation is also considered. METHODS: Experimental red wines were produced with a standard winemaking protocol with withered Corvina and Corvinone grapes obtained from two different geographical areas within the Valpolicella region. Fermentations were carried out with four different commercial yeasts plus a spontaneous fermentation. Wines were analysed by means of SPE- and SPME-GC-MS techniques and sensory analysis (sorting task).

Sensory definition of green aroma concept in red French wines. Evidence for the contribution of novel volatile markers

The aromatic complexity of a wine results from the perception of the association of volatile molecules and each aroma can be categorized into different families. The “green” aromas family in red wines has retained our attention by its close link with the fruity perception. In that study, the “green” olfactory concept of red wines was considered through a strategy combining both sensory analysis and hyphenated chromatographic techniques including HPLC and MDGC (Multidimensional Gas Chromatography). The aromatic space of this concept was specified by lexical generation through a free association task on 22 selected wines by a panel of wine experts. Then, 70 French red wines were scored on the basis of the intensity of their “green” and “fruity” attributes.

Integrating genomic prediction into grapevine breeding programs

Genomic selection (GS) has emerged as a transformative tool for accelerating breeding programs by predicting the genetic potential of individuals using genome-wide markers.

Aptitude du cépage Chenin à l’élaboration de vins liquoreux en relation avec certaines unités terroirs de base de A.O.C. Coteaux du Layon

Massif and the first sedimentary formations of the western aureole of the Paris Basin. If it is found all over the world (California, Israel, South Africa), it is in this region that it best asserts its identity. It is one of the most interesting grape varieties due to the variety and complexity of the wines it can produce. It can give very dry or very sweet, still or sparkling wines, fresh when young and sublime when ageing, expressing the characteristics of each vintage as much as those of the terroir. The Chenin is a faithful witness of its geographical, geological, pedological and climatic environment; he is the foil of the land. It has strong aptitudes for the production of sweet wines conditioned by overripe grapes often botrytised in the AOC Coteaux du Layon.Massif and the first sedimentary formations of the western aureole of the Paris Basin. If it is found all over the world (California, Israel, South Africa), it is in this region that it best asserts its identity. It is one of the most interesting grape varieties due to the variety and complexity of the wines it can produce. It can give very dry or very sweet, still or sparkling wines, fresh when young and sublime when ageing, expressing the characteristics of each vintage as much as those of the terroir. The Chenin is a faithful witness of its geographical, geological, pedological and climatic environment; he is the foil of the land. It has strong aptitudes for the production of sweet wines conditioned by overripe grapes often botrytised in the AOC Coteaux du Layon.

Development of an analytical method for the quantification of compounds responsible for the green character of wines: influence of ripeness on their levels

Red wines can sometimes exhibit undesirable green, herbaceous, and vegetative aromas, negatively impacting their sensory profile and consumer acceptance.