The Varidome precision band sprayer for row crops

摘要

There has been renewed interest in inter row band spraying in row crops driven in part due to the loss of post emergent herbicides in vegetable and other crops as well as the desire to reduce overall pesticide use as part of an IPM programme as promoted by the EU sustainable pesticide use strategy. The increasing adoption of precision farming techniques using GPS and other guidance techniques to accurately apply crop protection products to the crop or inter row has helped promote band spraying as a practical alternative to broadcast sprays in some situations. Band spraying offers the potential to reduce pesticide usage, particularly with herbicides, lower drift and environmental impact, improve efficacy and reduced costs. To effectively apply herbicides accurately in the crop inter row has required the development of purpose designed sprayer implements with independent ground following spray shields mounted on 3, 6 and 9 m toolbars. Dual spray line systems have been developed to simultaneously apply two tank mixes at the same time. With GPS and vision guidance systems now capable of guiding tractor implements to within 2-3 cm accuracy combined with the ability to operate at higher forward speeds, the selective application of plant protection products in bands offers a practical solution for pest, disease and weed management in many arable and vegetable crops. The benefits of band spraying are logical as weeds can be targeted more accurately and a wider range of herbicides can be used particularlyearly season which can reduce dependence on the use of selective herbicides. In addition a band sprayer can also be used to deliver fertiliser, fungicides or insecticides directly over the row with a second spray line targeting these products more effectively with obvious economic and environmental benefits. These sprayers are now in commercial use in vegetable and arable crops where up to 60 ha per day have been sprayed and experience in Europe from applications in oil seed rape, sugar beet, maize andvegetable crops is discussed along with results from wind tunnel studies to assess spray drift confirming shielded hoods for band spraying are appropriate as a drift reducing technology (DRT).